Climate change is currently the most hotly debated topic, which is to be expected since no one can stand the sweltering heat anymore. UNICEF defines it as long-term changes in the planet’s temperature and climate patterns. We’ve been on this road to chaos for a long time, more precisely since the middle of the 18th century, with the start of industrialization, which led to a huge increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere. Of course, nature also contributes with its volcanic eruptions, for example, although they are insignificant compared to our contributions.

But we’re talking about much more than the stifling heat in the streets. We’re talking about natural disasters, the extinction of species, the proliferation of diseases, rising sea levels and many other adversities that put our existence at risk.

We children and teenagers are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as we are at a more sensitive stage of development. Future generations run the risk of not existing at all, as temperatures rise higher and higher over the years.

Unfortunately, many still don’t understand the seriousness of the situation or, in the worst case, ignore it. I’m especially talking about the older generations, but those of us who were born and raised in this reality know what’s at stake.

The school, as a place where future citizens and leaders are trained, is the ideal place to raise awareness; after all, you have to know and believe in the monster before you can fight it.

We can do a lot by adopting simple sustainable practices such as avoiding consumerism, saving water and electricity, reusing, preferring biodegradable products… and the best thing we can do is raise our voices, try to sensitize leaders to create and adopt mitigation policies as a matter of urgency and commit to following the legacy when our time comes to govern.

Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg is an example of how we can do something. Even if we’re not as radical as her, we can’t just sit back.

This article is one of my contributions to change, perhaps if each of us writes articles like this we can achieve our goal.

Change begins within each one of us! If the generations before us don’t act, then we need to be the voice and the force of transformation.

I am the change, are you?

Author

Denira Monteiro