Together we WILL…. for Climate change
Event Location: Orange County STEM Saturday
Competition: Energy Inspired Art
Division: 6-8
School: Arbor Ridge K-8 Magnet Middle
Team Name: Soaring Eagles
Project Name: Together we Will... for Climate Change
Team Size: 1
by Anay M., 7th grade
Photo & Basic Info
Team or art project name: Poem “Together we WILL… for Climate Change” written and recited by Anay M.
Name of the School: Arbor Ridge K-8 Magnet Middle School
First name(s) and last initials of students on the team (no last names on the public page): Anay M.
Grade level of each team member: Grade 7
A photo of the completed art project or team (use this as the Featured Image on your page): Please see Artifact 1 below for full image of my poem.
About Me :
Hello Everyone!
My name is Anay M. and I attend 7th grade at Arbor Ridge Magnet Middle School. I love STEM (specially math). I also love my planet (my mom’s name means “The Earth”!) , words, music and martial arts. I am in the gifted program since elementary school and have been volunteering in green initiatives since 4th grade to make our local communities clean and keep our lives just a little bit better. Being a black belt in martial arts, I have learnt that nothing can be achieved without perseverance. But, once we put our heart and minds into something and work on it with full fervor, we can achieve it. We have to have the willingness to do things, have a robust and concrete plan and the work to execute the plan to see any results in anything we do.
When I am not doing anything, I love to play chess and to read!
My Energy Inspired Project:
For this Energy Inspired Art Project, I wrote a poem on Climate Change. I gave it the title “Together we WILL…for Climate Change.” This poem is a ‘sequel’ to my first effort last year inspired by an observation where a small educational company called Earthbound Journal (from the West coast of our country) that created quarterly publications for children like me to express our thoughts and share our ideas and efforts of the work we do in our local communities, went out of business due to lack of funding . It bothered me that little steps like Earthbound Journal could not sustain themselves. That poem was a plea to the grown-ups (former generation) to join hands to inspire others and engage everyone including children to make small changes with amplified effects and make our world a better place, a safe space!
Encouraged by the response I received at my school and my community, in this effort ‘Together we WILL…for Climate Change,’ I have shared some research about specific efforts that are already being worked on but will seek support from everyone. Our planet is our home and just like it is the current generations’ responsibility to equip me and my generation for a better future, it is my generations’ responsibility to engage to further the work. Only when we are together, we will achieve the green and clean goals we aspire for for generations to come. Since my elementary school years I have engaged with Green Clubs to audit trash collection and energy use around my school. We have created healthy dishes by learning to grow hydroponic lettuce, minimizing wrapping paper for gift giving during the holidays to name a few.
I hope you find my poem edutaining, that’s right-educational and entertaining!
thank you,
Anay M.
Artifact 1 (featured image) Together we WILL… for climate change
I didn’t just start typing my poem one fine day. I went through a step-wise process.
Step1: I had an observation that I doodled on my iPad (Artifact 2a and 2b),
Step2: I then researched information. Education and learning around important planet issues are important. For example, did you know that in 2021 only 6% of plastic was recycled (Greenpeace report)? If you consider a takeout dinner on a Friday evening. The plastic bag, pizza box, utensils, paper napkins, drink cup/can might feel like consumables for a recycling factory, however, not all those items are recyclable, and it is important for all to know it, and practice it to make the ongoing efforts more effective. You might wonder how is plastic related to climate change? Well, plastics don’t decay easily and stay around for eons! They simple break down into microplastics and pollute the environment and even human bodies leading to some diseases as well. Extraction of materials to make or refine plastics lead to large amounts of green house gases being sent to the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. This is where ideas like sorting, re-purposing and reusing become important.
Step3: Next, I wrote my first poem on Climate Change ” Together we can… for climate change” to talk about the both the issues and simple things everyone can do in their homes but in a rhyming scheme (Artifact 3).
Step 4: Finally, for this entry, I wrote my second poem on Climate change ” Together we WILL… for climate change” pleading everyone to unite for our home that we share.
Artifact 2a. Researching an doodling about climate change Artifact 2b. Writing the first poem on climate change ‘Together we can..for climate change.’ Artifact 3. ‘Together we can..for climate change’
Together we WILL… for Climate Change
By Anay M. (7th grade)
The Earth is crying, can you hear its plea?
Its skies are hazy, not as clear as they should be.
The ice is melting, the oceans rise,
A warming world beneath our skies.
Hurricanes and droughts, they come and go,
Storms have grown stronger; the winds now blow.
Forests are burning, animals flee,
The world is shrinking for them, you, and me.
But we’re not helpless; we hold the key,
To shape a future where all can be free.
Grown-ups and kids, together we stand,
To heal the Earth, to lend a hand.
To solve the crisis looming so tall,
We must take steps—some big, some small,
Stay mindful, change your lifestyle,
Then climate change won’t linger for a while.
Some panic under pressure in the masses,
While fossil-fuel-eating use is releasing greenhouse gases.
These include carbon dioxide and methane,
Oxides of Nitrogen and sulfur are also giving us pain.
Greenhouse gases heat our Earth.
Threatening the home of every birth.
Clean energy calls, Paris Agreement appeals,
Increased storms and inflation show we’ve ignored these deals.
I beg you to make the world cleaner!
Going eco-friendly will make our environment greener.
Here are some ideas for you to ponder,
As our future flies into the yonder.
Make vehicles efficient and friendly to air,
Start with one step, show the Earth we care.
Embrace clean energy-solar and wind
A greener tomorrow can now begin.
Teach and educate the young on what they can do,
Make climate talks exciting, we want to help too!
Share a story, a game, or a show,
Show me what is possible, let my curiosity grow!
Plant a tree, let its roots grow deep,
Turn off the lights before you sleep.
Bike or walk instead of drive,
Help our planet stay alive.
The UN Environment Program is giving advice,
You can access their articles on any device.
Many SDGs need to be accomplished,
Before our world, our haven, gets squished.
Improve our buildings, become more sustainable
When solving this problem, together we are capable
Of making ourselves and our surroundings a better place,
Let’s set an example for the potential aliens in space!
I am warning you to save the earth before it is too late.
With hurricanes like Helene and Milton, we are in a dire state.
Even with Nature’s healing and Paris Agreement,
To prevent a catastrophe, our Earth needs more treatment.
Carbon fixation systems, and polar ice reflective silica,
These solutions are simple, no need for a brouhaha.
Carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere,
Damaging UV light is reflected back into the exosphere.
Cooling systems, sea-levels controlled,
Solutions abound for our big goals.
Make haste to save our world from ruin
Remember, climate change is all our doing!
I beg you to save our home – just try!
Save our Earth, respect her cry!
I beg you to save my home – just try!
Save my Earth, together, have to try!
It’s not for one to solve, together we’ll find solutions bright,
It’s not for one to solve, and make our planet’s future right.
We need to unite, both young and old,
To save our home… this Earth, our jewel of gold!
The finished art piece : my poem (Please see artifact 1 or play Artifact 4-video, where I have recited the poem)
The intended message of the art piece: As described above, the purpose of writing the poem was ‘edutainment’ , to educate through entertainment and continue to raise awareness towards climate change which I strongly believe will be number 1 problem for my generation.
Why this medium was selected: I chose to write a poem instead of an essay (prose) because its more entertaining. I feel it might reach more number of people. May be when they are throwing their plastics in the trash, they will stop and think about the aftermath of their actions. If thousand such people act differently, or talk about it to others, then the eventually we will see the ripple effect. I also like music. I play clarinet. I can make a song out of the poem ! I recorded myself reciting it so you all can enjoy and hear the emotion in my thoughts.
Each team member’s contribution to the project: I am the only member of this team. I did the research, brain-storming, and writing.
Additional details: I have described my journey on this project above. I want to take a moment to share in this space, a big shout out to all my teachers at Timber Lakes Elementary and Arbor Ridge K-8 who have provided opportunities to students to think about these issues. I also want to thank Energy Whiz for providing this platform to students to share our thoughts in multiple ways. Finally, I want to thank my family for their continuous support to me.
Introduction
Together we will part 1-video