Your petals fall like teardrops at my feet,
I collect them with care, for they are so sweet.
“Who did this to you?” I softly whisper,
Could it be me? Your daughter? Your sister?
Does my modern life bring you such harm?
Weakening you so with no alarm,
But in your strength I wish to roam,
Would you let me travel your enchanting dome?
We’re all children of your earth yet sometimes we forget,
In our busy lives that we have nature to protect.
Rushing about in cars and planes,
Pollution spreads like a virus through your veins.
Oh mother, how your wrinkles crack and crumble,
Like the ice caps that melt and tumble, (https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/why-are-glaciers-and-sea-ice-melting)
Each forests breath fights consumerism’s call,
But your beauty I so wish to enthrall.
Never wanting to cause you pain,
It’s heartbreaking, this travel vs sustainability strain,
My love for nature pulls me afar,
Towards New Zealand, like a guiding star.
A long way from home’s embrace,
This unbelievable chance I cannot erase,
Though the journey’s footprint I can’t mend,
I’ll be sustainable until the end.
To reduce my harm on this Earth we share,
Environmental heroes show me how to care,
Thunberg, Singer, Monbiot, and Attenborough too,
I’ll protect your earth in all that I do.
To minimse my footprint and honour your earth,
I’ll take the most direct flight, lessening harmful worth,
With TreeApp, planting trees, I’ll offset whats done,
Balancing my journey under the sun (https://www.thetreeapp.org/blog/2022-06-06-how-to-offset-your-companys-carbon-footprint/).
Walk, cycle, or bus, my transport of choice,
Protecting your beauty, amplifying nature’s voice.
Avoiding environmental harm, a promise I keep,
With every step I take, sustainability I seek,
Charity shops and clothes swaps, my wardrobe’s delight,
Fast fashion’s excess, banished from my sight.
No new clothes needed, the cycle to mend,
A sustainable style, a commitment to extend.
Vegetarian meals, a conscious embrace,
Saving water and emissions with compassionate grace (https://vegsoc.org/eating-veggie/why-eat-veggie/),
Reducing my impact, one plate at a time,
For a greener planet, in every paradigm.
Avoiding foodwaste, a mindful art,
Steering clear of choices that tear us apart.
No avocados or almonds, their footprints too vast (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2015/oct/21/almond-milk-quite-good-for-you-very-bad-for-the-planet),
Sustainable swaps made, a commitment to last.
Ecosia’s search engine, planting with each click (https://blog.ecosia.org/ecosia-search-engine/),
Supporting my studies, making ethics stick.
Green initiatives followed, guidlines to embrace,
Sustainability woven into my space.
Learning to sail, harnessing the breeze (https://www.southamptonsailing.com),
Prioritising renewables, putting your mind at ease.
One day, guilt-free travel, a harmonious blend,
Exploring your wonders, with nature as my friend.
So, of climate change I will speak,
And of sustainable practices I’ll teach,
Surrounding myself with friends who care for this earth,
Together our promises can spark a rebirth!
For trees will grow and nature will bloom,
But first, this environmental inspiration I must consume,
So grant me this journey through your sky,
And my words you’ll have, I tell no lie.
Until then, a small mark, my vow to keep,
In return for adventure, both wondrous and deep.
