The year is 2152, and the Earth is no longer habitable.
A barren wasteland.
Its annihilation is accomplished.
The bees were the first to go. With unpredictable weather patterns, they awoke from hibernation too late, missing the flowers; they died from malnutrition. Unpollinated, the flowers decayed; many failed to reproduce.
Entire ecosystems collapsed.
It wasn’t long before humans were forced underground. The air is artificial, and I choke down packaged food. No longer is there joy in life… humans live only to survive.
And yet…
Have you ever heard of Chaos theory? It’s a scientific hypothesis of cause and effect that one unnoticeable change can, over time, lead to massive effects. Scientists believe that this is our way out; if a group of us were sent back to the 21st century and made more sustainable choices…Earth could survive.
I am terrified. A mixture of adrenaline, nausea and anxiety all churn inside me… but what other choice do I have?
I’m sent back to 2025, beginning an adventure in Sweden. Already, my flight had produced 286 kg of CO2 emissions. I shudder; the CO2 generated is equivalent to 66.7 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven per year. Fortunately, Stockholm-Arlanda is a sustainable airport, achieving its goal of carbon neutrality while also sustaining ecosystems around the airport.
Still, I vowed to make a difference.
I began by becoming more waste-conscious, ensuring that waste was placed in the correct recyclable containers. Before moving away, I threw most of my waste into the domestic bin. I had been unbothered because I assumed that the environmental impact was minimal. Yet, I was mistaken. I soon discovered that non-recyclable waste accounted for 6% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, when I sorted my waste correctly, I realised that only a small percentage needed to go into the domestic bin. Shared by an eleven-person corridor, the container was taken out once a week.
When it came to travel, I explored Scandinavia sustainably. Journeying to Oslo, I took the FlixBus, which produced 10 times less CO2 per passenger-kilometre than a domestic flight. This was combined with the train, which was powered by renewable energy and produced 99% less carbon dioxide than a domestic flight. Surprisingly, despite the increased journey, I found myself enjoying these modes of transportation. They allowed me to reflect and appreciate the landscape, rather than feeling trapped in a plane’s aisle seat, unable to look out the window.
Through this year abroad, I have developed a deeper understanding of the climate. How small changes in my routine and the way that I travel can impact CO2 emissions. Upon returning to England, I hope to continue making sustainable choices while educating others about the importance of lifestyle changes in protecting our planet.
I have no idea whether humanity will be living underground in the next hundred years, but I hope my contribution will make a small difference and improve the lives of millions.
References
https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/bees-feel-sting-climate-change
https://www.swedavia.com/arlanda/environment/
https://www.flixbus.co.uk/company/sustainability
https://www.flixbus.co.uk/company/sustainability/planet
Together with Our Tenants, We Contribute to a Sustainable Future
https://sweden.se/climate/sustainability/sweden-and-sustainability
https://www.britannica.com/science/chaos-theory
https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator
https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sector-summary-Waste.pdf
