My name is Sania Anand and I am currently 15 years old. I have grown up in the city of Mumbai, watching it rapidly transform into a concrete jungle. Living in this industrialized city in a developing nation, I have heard of numerous floods, heatwaves, droughts and pollution that have robbed thousands of their lives and livelihood. My curious nature drove me to investigate the cause of these disasters and further developed my understanding of global climate change. I was shocked to learn that despite knowing the consequences of their actions, businesses continue to exploit natural resources, release pollutants and destroy the environment in the name of economic growth. Understanding that my actions, driven by the theory of consumerism might be responsible for the hardships others are facing conflicted with my values and I knew that something had to be done.
From personal experience, I know the importance of instilling the values of preserving our earth in children and providing them with accurate information to empower them to spark change. We as children have the advantage of viewing the world in a different light and have a vision that isn’t blurred by corruption and greed. All we need is the opportunity to access information, share our ideas and most importantly, teachers who are aware of effects the current climate crisis is going to have on our way of life and hope that we will be able to combat it.
In the time I have interacted with my classmates and people in my community on the topic of sustainability and individual action, I have found that most people are simply not aware of the negative effects global climate change is having on our health and daily lives. I have also discovered that by providing individuals with information and encouraging the small actions they take to lead sustainable lives, we can help mould them into activists, with innovative solutions, advocating for change.
As many say, children are the future of our planet and by empowering them with knowledge, training and opportunities, we might be able to achieve the seemingly, elusive dream, of a sustainable and equitable future.
In my speech I mention the power of choice we as privileged individuals and consumers have. We have the ability to pressurize the private sector to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and change their production and packaging methods.
It is vital that we realize that no one is too young to influence change and that the first step towards a more sustainable future is harnessing the power of education and the power of choice.
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By eduCCate GlobalMy name is Sania Anand and I am currently 15 years old. I have grown up in the city of Mumbai, watching it rapidly transform into a concrete jungle. Living in this industrialized city in a developing nation, I have heard of numerous floods, heatwaves, droughts and pollution that have robbed thousands of their lives and livelihood. My curious nature drove me to investigate the cause of these disasters and further developed my understanding of global climate change. I was shocked to learn that despite knowing the consequences of their actions, businesses continue to exploit natural resources, release pollutants and destroy the environment in the name of economic growth. Understanding that my actions, driven by the theory of consumerism might be responsible for the hardships others are facing conflicted with my values and I knew that something had to be done.
From personal experience, I know the importance of instilling the values of preserving our earth in children and providing them with accurate information to empower them to spark change. We as children have the advantage of viewing the world in a different light and have a vision that isn’t blurred by corruption and greed. All we need is the opportunity to access information, share our ideas and most importantly, teachers who are aware of effects the current climate crisis is going to have on our way of life and hope that we will be able to combat it.
In the time I have interacted with my classmates and people in my community on the topic of sustainability and individual action, I have found that most people are simply not aware of the negative effects global climate change is having on our health and daily lives. I have also discovered that by providing individuals with information and encouraging the small actions they take to lead sustainable lives, we can help mould them into activists, with innovative solutions, advocating for change.
As many say, children are the future of our planet and by empowering them with knowledge, training and opportunities, we might be able to achieve the seemingly, elusive dream, of a sustainable and equitable future.
In my speech I mention the power of choice we as privileged individuals and consumers have. We have the ability to pressurize the private sector to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and change their production and packaging methods.
It is vital that we realize that no one is too young to influence change and that the first step towards a more sustainable future is harnessing the power of education and the power of choice.