MEEC 2023-2024 High School Winners
The summer of 2023 found me on icy shores in Svalbard, with my face graced by the soft touch of a biting Arctic wind. Leading a scientific survey, the initial excitement gradually got replaced with a sense of revelation.
“Hurray!” As the news spread rapidly through WeChat groups, informing us that schools were closed, my friends and classmates burst with joy. But the reason for the closures, the hoisting of a No.8 typhoon signal, caused me consternation as this was the third school closure in just 40 days because of typhoon or rainstorm.
Nature plays an important role in our lives, shaping our existence and providing us with the resources that are necessary for survival. However, our daily activities often strain this relationship, leading to environmental degradation and unsustainable practices.
Globally, approximately 2.7 million tons of pesticides were reportedly applied to agricultural land in 2020. Pesticides were designed to prevent yield losses; however, not only have they been given rise to new environmental issues, but also backfired on humans, significantly impeding progress towards achieving The 2023 Agenda’s socio-environmental goals.
In the distant past, the relationship between humans and nature was harmonious and intimate. During that time, we revered and respected nature as the bedrock and wellspring of our existence. The connection between humans and nature is also intricate and interwoven.
There is an interesting phenomenon that when people run out of topics to discuss, they will instinctively look up at the skies and discuss the weather. Most people consider this phenomenon as an amusing anecdote, but if we ponder deeply, it becomes evident that the weather and the environment immensely affect everyone living on the planet.
I never felt as calm and balanced as I did on the 1st of May when my mother and I went to the Luyang Lake Wetland Park. Early in the day, a light drizzle threatened to destroy our plans, but try as it did, it could not tear down the anticipation we had built up for the trip. Indeed, the rain was refreshing.
Ever since I can remember from my childhood, nature has been an integral part of my life. Due to my father’s work as a Macao Customs officer, which involved frequent contact with the sea, I have been exposed to many stories of marine life that he has witnessed firsthand.
Million years ago, our ancestors foraged wild plants and hunted wild animals. Everything was kept simple. However, as technology advances over centuries, humans have introduced an uncountable number of inventions into life, some of which, for example, plastic bags, may contribute to the destruction of the environment. This is a price we pay for the modern livelihood.
Under humanity’s stewardship, we have fortuitously unearthed the concept of sustainable development on this naturally beautiful planet. This concept presents a future vision where prosperity and growth harmoniously coexist with preserving our irreplaceable natural environment.
