Reflection

Last summer, I participated in a program called "Student On Ice" in which hundreds of students and staff are brought to the Arctic to learn about climate change. I was amazed by the power of nature when I truly interacted with it; even the puffin poop that dropped on my notebook brought me closer to the wild animals. When we sailed to an island, the leader pointed at the icebergs far away and said, "See that? When I came here 20 years ago, that snow was right beneath our feet." After I came back from the Arctic, I had the idea to record the amazing environments that I had experienced. When I created this painting, I felt very clear and happy because the whole painting was bright and natural, and it seemed like I could breathe the fresh air from the arctic oceans. In my painting, one girl is salvaging garbage from the ocean, and another girl is filtering the pollutants out of the atmosphere. I know these are unrealistic thoughts, but I still depict them as my own "hope". The landscapes I've seen are so beautiful that I can't imagine the day when they all fade away. I know that for most people, maintaining their livelihoods is already exhausting; they might not make the extra effort to care about things that seem so far from their actual life. But I'm glad to see that more and more people are starting to take on little habits that can make an impact, such as using low energy consumption electrical appliances and cooking more instead of ordering meals. Currently, I use paper bags as garbage bags and ride my bike for shorter distances instead of driving. I'm also studying to become a veterinarian, and I hope I can help more wildlife with the skills I've learned in the future.