Its 2050 and the world is in shambles. The ocean is filled with plastic killing our marine ecosystem. On land, humans and animal suffering too. The air quality gradually improving with help of aviation companies putting in work.
Shockingly, people forget basic knowledge like rubbish in correct bins.
In a distance glistening light shines ahead of me, my eyes squinting to see what appeared in front. Walking closer to the light, a door emerges and without thinking, I grab open the handle and walk inside.
Glowing light surround me and eyes start feeling heavy. A faint voice appears ‘Now travelling back to 2026’.
I open my eyes and it’s not the world I’ve been living in; it looks like a different planet. The birds are chirping, the sun is kissing our skin and air feels so fresh. A sign caught my eye ‘Glasgow, Scotland.’
2026. Year for my exchange.
After endless of research, I book my flights through Cathay pacific, knowing how grateful I am to travel. Where Cathay Pacific’s goal to reduce CO2e emission from 761gCO2/RTK to 670 gCO2/RT by 2030 due to planes contributing to 2.5% of global CO2 emission. Knowing that the company I chose would benefit in our air quality and decrease air pollution. (SGD 13: Climate Action)
I open my Too Good To Go app and I buy a 5 pound goodie bag. Excited, I ran down to the local bakery and grab my bag. Back home I currently have saved 38 kg of CO2e with 14 bags. (SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production)
At the flat I share my meal with my roommates, so know I won’t be wasting any of the delicious foods. With my favourite time of the day, where we sit around the crowded table, share stories, experiences on everything and anything.
When I get bored, I commute to my favourite op shops and parks by taking the bus where its free for under 22s, this saves me money and I get to capture the beauty of the city even more. (SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities)
On weekends, I go to local park run and encourage my friends to get active promoting our health and well-being. We see various ages, families and the happiness of communities joining together. (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being)
Knowing I have contributed, even if it’s the smallest action. Ensuring our land, marine animals and earth are being protected by us, gives me relief that there are ways we can change for the better.
After the year of change, the gleaming light reappears in the distance. I open the door, my eyes drooping by the second and the voice whispers in my ears ‘Now traveling back to 2050’.
Waking up back to the present and feeling gratified that I have done good in the past to protect our earth and ecosystem. Depicts how our choices greatly impact the outcome of our future global sustainability.
References:
– http://sdgs.un.org/goals
– http://www.transport.gov.scot/
– http://ourworldindata.org/global-aviation-emissions
– http://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-au
– https://news.cathaypacific.com/cathay-sets-new-2030-carbon-intensity-target-in-support-of-its-2050-net-zero-goal-9v6oxn
