Reflection

Climate change has been on the rise for centuries, contributing to the depletion of coral reefs. I wanted to view the situation in a positive light, empowering our generation to create an ideal reality. In the last few years, we have witnessed the impacts of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef, where thermal stress has caused coral bleaching, preventing the healthy algae-producing cycle from occurring. For this piece, I wanted to focus on a girl drawing the ocean, which evolves into the physical manifestation of corals surrounding her as she lays on the seabed. The canvas ‘coming to life’ represents our ability to make a significant impact or ‘illustrate our future’. Fish are jumping out of her drawing and Mediterranean red coral are rooted in it. This type of commercialized coral is specifically known for the beads and jewelry it is manufactured into, making it all the more important to protect. As the next generation, we learn about ways to limit our contributions to global warming—by reducing carbon emissions from driving cars, or eliminating pollutants like pesticides and household chemicals. With education on how we can make small changes in our lifestyle, we can work together towards an optimistic future.