Climate Champions
By Bella Smith
The ice was shattered. Polar Bears cowered in the
shadows, shielding their youth from the icy storm and raging wind. Huddled
close, the frightened creatures stared with wide eyes at the smoke. It choked
their lungs. The black meandering smoke had ventured from the factory which loomed
over this once serene, icy landscape. The snake like fumes engulfed the
innocent creatures of this pristine white surface. Scared for their lives, the
young helpless polar bears scattered across the vast fragile expanses of ice.
Disoriented, the young cubs plunged in the unforgiving depths. Mothers screamed
as they watched their children being taken from them forever…
My name is Bella. If you were to ask me what
angers me the most, I would respond, “people.” It may sound crazy, but people
are aware of climate change and are doing nothing about it. However, for me
what happened today was the final straw. I was walking along the beach when I
spotted a helpless white ball of fur curled upon the shoreline. Cautiously, I
approached, curious to see who or what this creature was. Its body was
motionless. Thoughts raced through my
mind – is it alive? What is it? Suddenly, I noticed a small movement on its
breast. It’s alive! I brought the
creature into my arms. As I held it close, I could just about hear short raspy
breathing escaping its mouth. My eyes were watering, a tear departed from my
eyes and settled onto the fur coat of the small animal. It shouldn’t be here, and
that was when I decided I needed to do something.
As I walked along the beach cradling the tiny
animal in my arms, I realised there must be a reason for this tragedy. I needed
to help him. My Mother and Father most certainly would not let me house a cub.
I was doubtful if I could save this creature but, looking into his eyes, I knew
I couldn’t give up on him. I had an
idea, whether it would work, I’d just have to wait and see. I knew that
smuggling him into my room without anybody noticing would be difficult – but
I’d have to try. I stealthily made my way
through my house, terrified that at any moment I would be spotted. At last I
reached my bedroom and let out a sigh of relief. I settled the polar bear on my
bed and wrapped a blanket around him. Soon enough, he awoke and leapt down from
the bed and began to explore. I knew that there were more creatures out there
like him. But whether there were people like me out there who would bother to
save them, I just didn’t know.
When I awoke the next morning, I saw the tiny polar
bear on the end of my bed. When I
looked at him, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. Around his front left paw was a part of a
plastic bottle. Carefully removing the bottle, I was faced with something I was
not prepared to see. The pristine white, fur coat was stained a dark, fiery
red. I felt both shock and anger. I started piecing together the facts in my
head. I knew what had happened.
I raced to the factory and burst through the door
of the Manager’s room. The man was tall, broad and very smug. He took a hold of
my shoulders and told me to sit. I shook his hands off my shoulders and yelled
at him, “don’t you want to know why I am here?”
I began to tell him my tale of finding a polar bear
and how he had a plastic bottle around him. I also told him that it was his
fault. The plastic bottles his factory created were harming marine creatures
and I had tragic evidence to prove this. After the man had been informed of
my devastating news, he simply told me,
“we as humans have nothing to do with polar bears. And anyway, you are only a
child, what do you think you can do about it?”
Anger scratched at my heart. It made me want to
fight climate change even more. I dashed home and collected the polar bear from
my room and began to make my way to the local park.
On a scrap of paper I created a petition to stop
the factory and all it stood for. After a couple of hours nobody had even
bothered to see what my petition said. I knew it was time to bring the polar bear
out. People came over, curious to see what was nestled in my arms. I told them
of the tale that the factory wouldn’t help. Before I knew it, my petition form
was bursting with names. I had people offering to help me fight the factory and
others placing money in my hands. Many stood behind me supporting my campaign. After
the crowd had settled down, I turned to my associates, nodded my head and said,
“let’s do this.”
We walked to the factory chanting, “save our polar
bears.” As we walked, more people joined
our crowd. Before I knew it, I was leading hundreds of people just like me –
passionate about the creatures of the Earth. The tall man whom I had spoken to
earlier tore open the window and stared in utter amazement at the people of our
town – all united and fighting for one thing. I turned around and my associates
came to an abrupt halt.
“Well?” I asked, “will you help us stop the
machinery and make re-usable water bottles?”
The man turned around and faced his worried colleague. “Stop the
machinery. Do what the child says.”
Everybody rose into a deafening roar of applause.
So don’t ever think you are too small to make a
difference. Keep striving and you will get there.
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