Reflection

Reflection

As long as I can remember, climate change has been an existential threat to our existence. I grew up with stories about floods, fires, and hurricanes destroying communities and affecting people, including members of my family. Climate change exacerbates existing societal inequalities, and many communities of color and low-income communities are already feeling the effects of climate change regularly. Although I personally have not been affected by climate change, Boston is a coastal city that has experienced flooding in the past, which will get worse if we continue maintaining the status quo. These realities loom in the back of my mind almost every day, augmenting my anxiety. However, more recently I have found inspiration in the youth climate movement. Young people fighting for a livable future are taking action around the world and changing their communities. I joined organizations like Boston Climate Strike because I wanted to make a difference, and planning demonstrations with people who understand the intersectionality of the climate crisis and who are trying to ensure that we live in a world where we all can thrive gives me a sense of purpose and the will to push forward. In my painting, the strikers are actual people, but I left them faceless to represent that they could be anyone. Anyone can be an activist. Anyone can stand up for our oceans, our societies, our futures. We can all fight back against climate change and inequality. We are rising up. And that is what gives me hope.