I think I was three, when I saw me as me,
a person with thoughts and purpose to be,
I started to speak and do as I pleased,
like screaming, and crying and announcing my needs.
Then just as quickly, I became seven,
and that progressed quickly to ten and eleven,
and with every year that my body grew,
my mind would catch up, filled with things that I knew.
A teenage me thought that I was seen wrong,
by others, with whom I did not get along,
My perspective was different and our opinions would clash,
I showed no understanding, my words came out brash.
Nineteen-year-old me saw a welcome new change,
A different approach and ability to gauge,
and navigate new experiences, people and listen,
To respond with thought and truly just see them.
At twenty I’m scared of how long I’ve been here,
and if I’ve made use of it, and what will appear,
When that three-year-old girl turns thirty-five,
then sixty and eighty and eventually die.
But though three-year-old me got to see twenty,
that’s no promise that with years she has plenty,
as the earth coughs out the fumes from our planes,
820 million tonnes of carbon dioxide remains.
It clouds up the air as I stroll under walkways,
avoiding taxis and cars but arriving at the same place,
and if safety calls to opt for overground tracks,
Over 160 MRT stations have mine and the air’s back.
When my stomach growls and it’s calling for food,
I won’t use Google like other 85.5 billion searches do,
instead I’ll turn to Ecosia who will plant a tree,
whenever I have a question, a query, or need.
And those directions will lead me to a vegetarian stall,
where I eat sometimes or I’ll head to the mall,
and pick up some stuff to chuck in the airfryer,
not using the oven, it’s energy use higher.
If I’m in the mall I won’t be tempted by clothes,
or other items, as I can find those,
on a second-hand app or in a charity shop,
contributions to fast fashion and waste will stop.
And by planting these trees and walking to places,
by eating less meat, reducing landfill wasteland,
Twenty-year-old me is progressing and will stand,
To adhere to the ideals of the Singapore green plan.
So while I am abroad, and helping earth thrive,
I’m also helping myself turn thirty-five,
and then sixty and eighty, still doing what I can,
for the earth to be healthy, like how it began.
And when three-year old me grows and goes away,
another three-year old girl will take my place,
and my wish is for her to enjoy her time,
make sustainable choices and do what is right.
Source material:
https://www.statista.com/topics/12910/aviation-emissions-worldwide/#topicOverview
https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/public_transport/rail_network.html/
https://www.statista.com/topics/1710/search-engine-usage/#topicOverview
https://www.ecosia.org/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20220429-the-climate-benefits-of-veganism-and-vegetarianism
https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/
