Reflection

Reflection

I don’t think anyone can truly comprehend the amount of plastic we consume. At a certain point, it all just becomes numbers. Horrifying numbers, but numbers too big to really comprehend. While creating my piece, I felt how I think a lot of people do when thinking about climate change. Overwhelmed. Because how can I, alone, possibly contribute to this problem? Often, when most people feel guilt and fear, those emotions retreat into passiveness, and the situation will frequently get pushed to the back of our minds. Unfortunately, our dying oceans are not an issue that can wait another couple of years. We cannot continue to see this as a distant problem. By the year 2050, if we keep producing plastic at expected rates, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, and I want viewers to know that this is the future that we are heading to. No amount of pushing away the problem will deter us from this future. But at the end of the day, what gives me hope is the determination of the younger generations, and their willingness to fight for our futures. Because it will be us who inherit this Earth, and we will not settle for less. Events like the climate strikes in September 2019 are what inspire me to continue my small actions towards change, like buying from sustainable brands or refraining from purchasing single-use plastics. I truly believe that if everyone does their part, a brighter future is possible.