Reflection

When I was a child the first word that came to mind when I thought about the climate of Southern California was sunny. Now that I’m older, I’m more attuned to the subtle and not-so-subtle shifts in our weather, and often find myself wondering about the future of my environment and solutions where my community can make a difference. Due to recent climate changes, sea levels have risen nearly 8 inches, glaciers are melting rapidly, and storms are the unfortunate common norm. Sea turtles, a marine species that plays a significant role in the sustainability of the ocean’s ecosystem, have gained attention over the past few years, as they are increasingly becoming endangered due to rising temperatures. Living near the coast, I’ve witnessed how climate change impacted our environment and the habitat of precious sea animals. The warming sand and severe storms not only cause most sea turtle hatchlings to be female but also impact nesting rates. Witnessing these catastrophic changes motivates me to take action to mitigate further damage. Yet, instead of staying idle, my community and I have strived to make changes to help prevent climate change and protect these animals. In my art piece, I want to represent my community’s fight against climate change. Many of my classmates have opted to bike or walk to school, solar panels have become a common sight on rooftops, and wind turbines stand tall on the horizon. Our collective efforts have led to significant progress, as the levels of abundance of sea turtles are now rising rather than falling. Through my climate story, I hope to inspire others by highlighting how collective action can lead to impactful solutions in the face of a global crisis.