Who Owns the Earth?

Two-thirds of my home country are made up of dry plains and deserts, specifically vulnerable to climate change and the unsustainable use of natural resources. Every resource here is treated as a grain of gold. However, while one group may make every effort to promote and maintain sustainable water use and waste management, another group might be doing the exact opposite. Sadly, it is evident now that only a part of the population cares for nature and is ready to give up their comfort for the

common well-being. It is easier to harm the environment than care for it, and that’s why it is crucial to focus actions on those who cause damage.

To avoid the mistakes of others and prevent catastrophes, the young people of Turkmenistan have taken a step forward by joining the UN-led initiative of Young SDG Ambassadors. I represented my country and promoted youth participation in decision-making with regard to climate change and environmental protection. My involvement brought me closer to the decision-makers and helped me better understand that everyone’s individual prosperity depends on others’ decisions, what they consume, and how they behave. Above all, I learned to believe that I can contribute to tackling climate change and reversing nature loss in my country. Now, we teach children and youth how to apply their commitments to a sustainable future through personal action, awareness campaigns, and other collective efforts. This is to ensure that they don’t fall on the side of harming the environment in the future.

It is important to remember that there will be about eight billion people on the planet in 20 years. They will need food, water, health services, and much more to survive. According to current estimates, by 2050, we would need the equivalent of at least three planets’ worth of resources to sustain our way of living. Our responsibility is to make sure younger generations will get enough, as our present choices, no matter how big or small, will echo in the future. I dream about a planet with no climate change, no conflicts over resources, and no loss of diversity. Sure, my dream may sound ambitious, but it’s the complexity of our world that gets us tangled in our dreams. Why don’t we all stop being grateful for economic growth and show gratitude towards nature? Let’s remember, we do not inherit the Earth from our parents—we borrow it from our children.

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