Reflection

Reflection

Many people still don’t think climate change will affect them in their day to day lives, but for species in the Arctic and Antarctic, the impacts of our warming planet have been all too apparent. Sea ice in both regions has been declining, posing major threats to ice-dependent animals. In the Arctic, polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt for fish, and harp seals require it to give birth to their pups. Penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula also hunt on sea ice, and have been diminishing along with it. For years, people dismissed scientists’ warnings about the repercussions of melting ice, because they believed it was a problem for the future. But right now, these living things are feeling the brunt of humanity’s negligence to thoroughly halt climate change when we had the chance. Dire as the situation is, we can still mitigate the worst effects of climate change if we take the drastic action necessary. This song was inspired by Greta Thunberg, the extraordinary leaders in the Sunrise Movement, and Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Because of them, this year alone has been immensely powerful in making the demands for climate action widespread. I participated with my classmates in the global climate strikes along with the other 1,000,000+ students who will no longer simply watch their future slip away. To me, this song serves as an anthem for people everywhere to remember why we fight for change.