Reflection

Reflection

We take so many things for granted, as if we are entitled, spoiled children who expect Mother Earth to always accommodate us, no matter how much we abuse her. We think that we have a right to always enjoy the clean oceans, to see the blue sky above our heads, to drink the pure water, to breathe the fresh air enriched by the green lush trees, and to enjoy the abundant supply of food. But if we humans continue to live the way we do, we will lose this beautiful privilege we take as our birth right. Imagine a world where the only way to experience the magic of nature is through books. As an avid hiker, I appreciate the beauty of nature firsthand, and it would be truly devastating if my children could not get to know the same Earth I love. That’s the reason I was so inspired by Jamie Margolin, a young climate change activist, who founded the youth climate action organization Zero Hour because “there is no more time” for inaction. At this critical point for the survival of our planet, bringing awareness of this crisis to young people is crucial, and that’s exactly what Jamie and her foundation undertake. They use social media and networking to turn youth climate activism into something mainstream. Zero Hour organized the first-ever Youth Climate March in Washington D.C. and 25 other cities around the country, plus Youth Climate Lobby Day on Capitol Hill and in many local governments. Inspired by Jamie's example, I realized that as an artist the best way I can help this vital cause is though my artwork. I created this painting to show the viewer the horror of a world where nature is lost to us forever. I hope this artwork shocks viewers into truly seeing the devastating, irreversible consequences of climate change. One thing that I admire about Jaime is that despite the scary prognosis, Jamie is actually a “hopeful activist.” She says, “You can’t motivate the world with one giant existential crisis, but you can motivate them with the hope of a brighter future.”