My first time researching the topic of global warming was in third grade. We were told to make a slideshow on something we were passionate about, something inspiring. I, being the animal loving 9-year-old I was, chose to write about my favorite animal, polar bears. However, while researching about them, I stumbled upon a myriad of research articles and blogs about how these bears were in danger of extinction. I was utterly shocked. How, I thought, could these huge, fearsome creatures be in danger of extinction? After doing more research, I found my answer: global warming. A dangerous rise of heat caused by human-made pollution was killing not only polar bears, but countless species around the globe. Reading these sources, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Arctic animals are not the only creatures on this planet that will be affected by climate change if we don’t do something about it. Sea levels will continue to rise along with global temperatures. Was no one trying to stop this from happening? Turns out, many people try. Yet somehow very little has been done to stop or even slow this process. Which is why it is so important that every person who advocates for the stop of climate change should speak out and spread awareness. 

Being a part of Generation Z allows me to see the world from a different point of view than that of older generations. At fifteen years old, living in a world taken over by a virus with struggling ecosystems has been surprisingly insightful. It has enabled me to think deeply about what I do to contribute to the world around me, whether that be positively or negatively. Everything I do, everything every human on this planet does, has an effect. It is crucial to understand how detrimental global warming and climate change are to the earth to fully know how to stop it. It is my hope, my wish, that someday, large communities and societies all around the world will work together in stopping climate change. Because no matter the current situation in the world, global warming affects all of us.