Many small steps will save world

I clambered over the rocks and down on to soft sand that moulds perfectly to the shape of my foot.

I tip toed into the shimmering, clear, refreshing water.

The sun shines brightly, penetrating my sunscreen to give me a perfect tan.

I dive and the waves curve over me, embracing me like an old friend.

I can spend hours basking in the sun tumbling in through the waves. Later I get out and relax under the shade of a pohutukawa.

The tui sings in the branches above.

This is my favourite place in the world.

The sound of happy children laughing and chasing each other along the beach; the sand falls through my hand just like an egg timer.

The smell of sausages on the barbecue at the bach behind me reminds me that it's nearly lunchtime.

Twenty years on. I splat from the top of the rocks straight into the water. There is no sand in sight. I miss the feel of it creasing under my feet, slipping between my toes.

The sun is deadly, frying my skin. It has melted all the glaciers and icebergs causing the sea to rise and now I feel as if it's melting me too.

The water is warmer than the air. I want to hide but there is no shelter. The trees are dead and, without them, I will be soon too.

The tui have died out, as have nearly all our animals.

The kiwi, our symbol, what we named ourselves after, has ceased to exist. We couldn't even slightly change the way we lived to save them.

To think, if I had just switched off the television for an extra few hours, if I had decided to walk instead of drive, if I had joined in during Earth hour and helped just a little, this all could be different, as it was in the past.

Our world is changing and we need to as well.

Unless you want to end up in the second storey, we all need to work together to stop climate change.
You can be the difference.

Start by walking to nearby friends' places, turning off the TV for an hour or so and making sure you join and encourage everyone else to join Earth hour.

Lots of little steps by each person will add up to a big difference.

Let's be the change we want to see in the future, and let's save the things we love in this world.

Annabel Harman, Year 10, Diocesan School for Girls