Coming with me to Leeds this summer is not only my laptop, rain jacket, and suitcase,
But also a mosaic of lessons in sustainability from all over the place.
My family and friends have shaped me into who I am today,
With their reminders I hope to keep the planetary state at bay.
Travelling can be tricky if you are not being carefull,
Fly here, buy this, get rid of that; it is all so dreadful.
Thankfully the United Nations has a set of goals,
Hopefully by 2030 we can reduce the tolls.
The most influential woman in my life has taught me some of the greatest things,
My mom always listens when sustainability rings.
Walk, bike, or ride the bus I can hear her say,
No need to drive, you can get there some other way.
My sweet and gentle father has surely made an impact too,
Expertly sorting what would otherwise be trash into bins black and blue.
He even saves the cans for me to return for a couple of dollars,
As he knows my dreams of someday joining the scholars.
Spending her days caring for others to keep them in good health, (SDG 3)
My sister approaches sustainability from a global sense, far removed from herself.
She always prompts me to get vaccinated to be part of the prevention,
I feel so lucky to have a nurse as a sister even in times of contention.
My best friend Cate has a signature accessory,
An insulated water bottle she’s had for a century.
She only drinks tap water and has taught me the same, (SDG 6)
500 billion plastic bottles a year in landfills, what a shame. (Greenmatch UK)
Josie is my long-time roommate who is incredibly informed,
She reminds me that when it comes to women’s rights we must not stay conformed. (SDG 5)
We learn together so that the future can be brighter,
Going to protests, workshops, and seminars; she is a fighter.
There is nothing my friend Vana hates more than food in the trash,
She had a recipe for everything from sushi to goulash.
We often go out on missions for a last minute dinner,
Too Good To Go is always a winner. (Too Good To Go App)
The urban planning program at Concordia University has taught me so much,
Together we learn that cities need sustainable transport, recycling, and such. (SDG 11)
My teachers and colleagues are quite tight knit,
They are the future of our cities, I just know it.
When it becomes difficult to be so far from home,
I remember that the opportunities I get abroad justify my roam.
I hope that my actions can have an impact on others too,
The United Nations, other students, and I will see this through.
https://sdgs.un.org/
https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/plastic-bottle-recycling
https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-ca
