Reflection

On a trip to the beach, I noticed the vast amounts of plastic waste on beaches. I was appalled by the unacceptable conditions of the coastal environment, so I was inspired to voice my concern. My artwork tells the story of how humans and the environment are intertwined: each one of our actions has a profound impact on the Earth. An anchor with a rope shows how humans are “anchored,” or stuck, on this globe. A fish chewing on rope and a hand grasping a jellyfish show that humans are constantly manipulating our environment. If we do not change the ways in which we alter this earth, biodiversity will decrease dramatically. Through research, I have learned the extinction rates are unusually high; they near levels to that during the late periods of the Cretaceous extinction. In my painting, we can also see that the skies are dark and thundering, showing how storms have become more intense and frequent. Oceans have acidified due to the excess carbon dioxide. Hence, vibrant coral reefs like the ones depicted in my painting are dying. Though climate change is a crisis, we can still save our planet. Scientists have used bioremediation and biological augmentation to attempt to restore our ecosystems. Conservation biologists have developed new zoned reserves targeted in biodiversity hotspots to increase species diversity. These inspiring acts are a testament to show that we can unite together and change the earth. Moving forward, we must support these efforts and help conservationists restore our environment.