The Sun Will Recognize All
Lansdowne, VA
2023, Junior, Art
Climate Hero: Natalia Sali, One Child One Tree
Reflection
When I was researching different climate heroes, Natalia stood out to me and I knew I wanted to tell a story with the composition of my painting. As I made my artwork, I felt as if there was more hope to a cleaner world, and people like Natalia Sali are making this aspiration possible. I wanted to make an influence too. So I decided to create this meaningful painting about how simple things, such as planting mangrove trees, can impact the future of the earth. Everything seems connected in the way that planting a single mangrove tree can improve water quality by absorbing nutrients from runoff and reducing erosion, which causes less extreme weather. They also trap and absorb carbon dioxide, and hold sediments in place, stabilizing the coastline. Mangroves and areas around them are also an ideal habitat for lots of creatures. Natalia Sali makes me wishful that maybe my future won’t be filled with polluted air, and that it can be as beautiful as it once was if everyone takes action to make our earth a better place.