Watch What Happens: Elizabeth Wathudi vs. Kenya Deforestation
Melville, NY
2023, Junior, Performing Arts
Climate Hero: Elizabeth Wathudi, Green Generation Initiative
A parody based on “Watch What Happens” from the Newsies Broadway Musical written by Alan Mencken and Jack Feldman
Looking around, I can say that I don’t see all the trees
that I saw as a kid. This has led to less absorption of carbon dioxide
And now we’re face to face with global warming.
Trees can absorb CO2 during respiration.
Ha, it’s a cinch, it could practically solve itself.
More trees mean more air and as I may have mentioned
It’s no heat wave it’s disaster.
Who is this brave to stand up and give a solution
Gather the kids and the seeds and the tools
A girl? It’s a girl. How could she? Is that a shovel?
Look, just watch her digging. What is her name? It’s Elizabeth * Wathudi
She has a plan planting trees to replace all the ones they chopped down to make more roofer
urban sprawl.
Now, that’s how things get better.
Trees will grow and close the ozone hole
and you just watch what happens.
The earth will live and breath again, we’ll stop this warming trend
And you just watch what happens.
And who’s there with her shovel and her seeds and sprouts grow into trees
The trees will grow and you just watch what happens when they do.
Call it the Green Generation Initiative
Communities working together to build resilience
Everyone doing their part to ensure the earth will be here in the future
Just look around at the world we’re inheriting and think of the one we’ll create once we stop
putting profit ahead of what’s best for humanity and end deforestation.
Give these kids and me the brand new century and watch what happens
Defend the Earth, keep battling, do or die
The fight is on and she will change what happens.
But all I know is nothing happens if you just give in.
The kids will make the future bright again
With Elizabeth on our side, we just might win
Grab your seeds and shovels, let’s begin.
Reflection
Reflection
Inspiration comes in a diverse array of forms as we seek to advocate for the change that is vital to the survival of the Earth during such unpredictable times. My voice lends itself to a song that praises the tireless efforts of Elizabeth Wathuti, who mobilized children to counteract the devastating deforestation in Kenya. Her heroic leadership helped galvanize a movement of unfettered momentum, seeking to build up the level of oxygen to counteract the nefarious effects of carbon emissions. Elizabeth gives me a genuine sense of hope and provides me with an invaluable lesson that we are only limited by the panoramic scope of our imagination. Her work to help girls and women build community gardens to become self-sufficient resonates with me as I tend to my organic garden and bring food to those in need. The time has come for all of us to channel the spirit and courage of Elizabeth Wathuti and sing with limitless passion for a future filled with jubilation, conservation, and revitalization.