What if the place you call home is sinking into the ocean? Many people may not realize it, but right now, Earth—our home—is in a very critical situation.
I am from one of the many islands in the Solomon Islands. I grew up with my siblings and cousins on white sandy beaches. The waters were pristine, and the lagoon near the beach was crystal clear. The simplicity of living, intertwined with the land, ocean, and sky, is who we are.
History and traditions are passed down through songs, stories, and dances. We children gathered around our elders to listen to original stories from the islands, some of which are not so fairy-tale anymore. There were stories of fishing spots that had been washed away and old wells that were no longer in use due to saltwater intrusion. They also talked about areas where they thought were safe from storm surges but are no longer. The children, including myself, did not know words like climate change, greenhouse gas, or sea-level rise, but we did know that our island was being affected.
Island residents support themselves by depending on the land and sea for food and survival, while minimally contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, they continue to lose their fishing grounds and safe water and land due to sea level rise and frequent disasters that occur at a regular pace.
Now, the effects of greenhouse gases are no longer confined to the islands. Like the flooding casualties that happened in Bihar, India, due to the July 2020 monsoon storms. Wildfires in California caused 100,000 people to evacuate their homes in Irvine. Moreover, Poland and Romania experienced the worst drought in a century, and the Czech Republic experienced the worst in 500 years.
What should we do? The answer is clear. We must intensify the actions needed to maintain the global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius within this century. We have the right idea—we just need action.
What can be more fearful than knowing the Earth, our home, is being threatened by none other than ourselves? What would the future for us and our children and grandchildren be like without a home that supports a healthy livelihood?
I am now more motivated than ever, as I know every action, big or small, counts. Being from a small island does not mean being left behind in the fight against climate change. Because we all dream of a world where we all belong and can call home.