It’s Not Normal
Bangkok, Thailand
2024, Junior, Creative Writing
Entry I: Sick
“It’s just a fever.”
My head rang. Blurs of colors and shapes swirled around me as I tried to sit up on the mattress. What time is it? Where am I? I was in a daze. As my vision focused, I remembered. For the first time in three years, I was too sick to go to school.
Yesterday, the nurse said I had a fever because of the heat. That’s why they sent me home. Wait. But, isn’t everyone saying it’s just normal Thai weather? Whatever. It probably is. I sighed and plopped back down onto the white, cotton mattress.
Entry II: Dead
“That’s not supposed to happen.”
I stepped out onto the seventh floor balcony, feeling the warm gaze of the sun on my face. Ceramic pots lined the glass balcony, filled to the brim with lush greenery. I looked over to the small, sunny area on the side of the balcony, eager to see the fully blossomed flowers. Wait, no, I stopped. Why is there nothing in the pots? I stepped closer. Where did the marigolds go?
I remembered stepping out onto the same balcony this time last year and being greeted by the yellow, fully bloomed marigolds that my mom planted months ago. Same location, same time of the year, different climate. Is that why they’re dead?
Entry III: Excessive?
“The weather’s pretty normal, Thailand is always this hot.”
Tall banana trees with wilting leaves, planted by past generations of our upperclassmen, lined the pathway my friend and I trudged along as the sun beat down on us mercilessly, the heat enveloping us like a suffocating blanket. We had just finished setting up and planting the onions.
“Huh,” I nodded, trying to ignore the beads of sweat forming on my forehead, “Alright.”
As we approached the site, I could see my classmates. Their clothes stuck to their bodies as they gave us weary smiles. This trip, the teachers have been extra careful, urging us to always have a packet of electrolytes in our bottles. Time to grab my, what, fourth? My fourth packet of electrolytes, I sighed. Packs upon packs of the orange flavored concoction were packed into plastic boxes and put on the red, metal table. I ripped up another electrolyte packet, pouring the powder into my orange-stained waterbottle. Five boxes full this year… isn’t that a bit excessive?
—
Now we ask ourselves, has it always been this hot? An article was recently published warning the public about the excessive heat and temperatures that could reach up to 45 degrees celsius, exceeding the past record of 44.6 celsius in the Tak province that was broken just last year (Bangkok Post, 2024). Additionally, climate change has exacerbated the urban heat island effect, in which concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat, rendering cities such as Bangkok unbearably hot. The average annual temperature in Bangkok has risen by about 1.5°C over the last century (B.Tribune, 2021).
Are these consecutive broken records simply a coincidence? Is it a coincidence that people aren’t the only ones suffering, but also the environment as well? Even my mother’s supposedly “heat-loving” marigolds have suffered and died due to the intense heat. This is a minor but significant indication of a much larger problem affecting Thailand’s agriculture. Agricultural yields have fallen as crops fail to withstand the extreme temperatures, jeopardizing farmers’ livelihoods and the country’s food security. Rice production, a staple of Thai agriculture, is expected to fall by up to 40% by 2050 as a result of climate change-induced droughts and heat waves (Atsamon et al., 2023). Is it normal for all this to be happening due to the “usual” Thai heat?
The three words outlined in bold answer this question: it’s not normal. This trend of normalizing climate change has appeared fre quently throughout my life, and I refuse to accept it. As I look back on those days, I realize that it was just the beginning. It was the beginning of a new chapter, not just for Thailand, but for the world and for my life. One where heat is not just a part of life, but a constant reminder of the unfavorable impacts climate change has had on our planet. And as I sit here, feeling the heat bearing down on me, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds for us all, and what we will do as a society to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Works Cited
Bangkok Post. “Thailand braces for scorching heat: Temperatures to surpass 40°C.” Bangkok Post, 7 March 2024, https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2754658/summer-storms-gusty-winds-expected-in-upper-thailand-including-bangkok-march-8-10. Accessed 10 June 2024.
B. Tribune. “1.5C OF GLOBAL WARMING PROJECTED OVER NEXT 20 YEARS: IPCC.” Bangkok Tribune, 10 August 2021, https://bkktribune.com/1-5c-of-global-warming-projected-over-next-20-years-ipcc/. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Limsakul, Atsamon, et al. “(PDF) Enhancing climate-resilient Thailand’s rice production.” ResearchGate, 3 July 2023, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372061701_Enhancing_climate-resilient_Thailand’s_rice_production. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Reflection
My work and creative process was mainly inspired by my own life and experiences. The first three little "diary entries" were all examples of times in my life where I truly thought about how climate change has had an impact on my life and times where I have reflected and realized it's significance. I am interested in the arts because I feel like it's an amazing way for me to express myself. Usually, I am not very keen about expressing my thoughts out loud. Painting, writing, and storytelling provide me with an opportunity to be able to do what I love while also reflecting on my thoughts. The process of creating this piece in particular raised anger. I felt angry that everyone was just letting this slide as a normal issue and that this detrimental issue that could very literally be the end of us is being treated as simple as anything else. The message that I would give to the viewers of my work is that normalization is one of the biggest reasons why climate awareness hasn't reached certain countries, including Thailand. I feel like since we are known for our heat, it's increasing intensity is just dismissed as normal. That shouldn't be the case. After doing research, I've learned that climate change is slowly taking over, affecting agriculture, rivers, temperatures, animals etc. These effects are not just distant threats but are happening now, affecting communities worldwide. Beyond individual actions like recycling, I believe collective action is crucial. I plan to engage with my community to promote sustainable practices, advocate for renewable energy, and support policies that address climate change at a systemic level. Together, we can make a difference and create a more sustainable future.