Here, I share my thoughts, stories, and poems inspired by the natural world. From the quiet resilience of forests to the hidden lives of wildlife, and from the patterns of climate change to the beauty of biodiversity, every piece reflects my journey as a Natural Resource Management graduate. My writing invites you to pause, observe, and consider our connection to the environment.
Recent Posts
Forest Resilience and Human Impact
Exploring how sustainable management can protect ecosystems while supporting local communities.
Introduction: Forests are vital to the health of our planet, offering a multitude of benefits ranging from carbon sequestration to providing livelihoods for local communities. However, human activities have posed significant threats to these ecosystems. Sustainable forest management (SFM) emerges as a crucial approach to balance ecological preservation with socio-economic development.
The Importance of Forests: Forests play an indispensable role in maintaining ecological balance. They regulate water cycles, prevent soil erosion, and support a vast array of biodiversity. Additionally, forests are significant carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mitigating climate change effects. For local communities, forests provide resources such as timber, medicinal plants, and non-timber forest products, which are essential for their daily lives and economic activities.
Challenges to Forest Resilience: Deforestation, climate change, and illegal activities such as poaching and illegal logging threaten forests.
Sustainable Practices: Selective logging, agroforestry, community-based management, and forest certification improve forest health and livelihoods.
Case Study:
Community-Based Forest Management in Nepal
Nepal's community forestry program is a notable example of successful SFM. By empowering local communities to manage forest resources, Nepal has seen significant improvements in forest cover and biodiversity. This approach has also enhanced the livelihoods of rural populations, demonstrating the effectiveness of community involvement in forest conservation.
The Hidden Life of Biodiversity
A reflection on the richness of life in our ecosystems and why every species matters.
Biodiversity is the variety of life in ecosystems, from forests to wetlands, rivers to savannahs. Every species plays a role. Plants produce oxygen and food. Insects pollinate crops. Predators maintain balance. Losing species disrupts ecosystems and affects human livelihoods.
You can support biodiversity by protecting habitats, planting native species, and reducing pollution. Communities that manage forests sustainably maintain resources for future generations. Governments and organizations track endangered species and restore degraded areas. Scientific studies show that areas with higher biodiversity are more resilient to environmental changes.
Your actions influence the health of ecosystems. Choosing sustainable products, supporting conservation efforts, and spreading awareness helps protect biodiversity. Every effort adds to the strength and resilience of ecosystems.
Extreme Heat: A Growing Climate Crisis
The world is getting hotter. Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Global Temperature Trends: Earth’s average temperature has risen by about 1.1°C since 1880. More than half of this increase happened after the mid-1970s. The ten warmest years on record all occurred since 2010, showing a clear upward trend.
Rising Frequency: Global temperatures have risen 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels since 2015. Many countries now experience at least 10 additional “hot days” each year, with some regions seeing over 30 extra hot days annually. Extreme heat events, like the 2023 heatwave in southern Europe, are now 70% more likely than a decade ago.
Case Study: In April 2024, Bangladesh recorded temperatures up to 43.8°C, 16°C above the annual average. Schools closed nationwide, affecting around 33 million children. Scientists linked the heatwave to climate change, urbanization, deforestation, and increased air conditioning use.
Impact: Extreme heat threatens human health, causing heat stress, illnesses, and fatalities. It also stresses ecosystems. Species struggle to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, leading to biodiversity loss and reduced ecosystem resilience.
What You Can Do: Reduce energy use, support climate policies, educate others about extreme heat and its consequences.
Poem: Morning Dew
A short poem capturing the quiet beauty of dawn in the forest.
The forest wakes with soft light.
Leaves glisten with tiny beads of water.
Birds stir among the branches.
Your steps leave no mark on the damp earth.
You breathe the cool, fresh air.
The day begins quietly, fully alive.
Poem: Concrete and Sky
A poem reflecting the impact of urbanization and climate on city life.
Concrete rises, streets stretch wide
Heat gathers where trees once stood
Rivers narrow, air grows thick
You move through shadows and sunlight
Clouds drift slower, clouds hold rain
Buildings capture sun, reflect light
Birds shift homes, insects retreat
You notice what survives around you
Rain falls soft, yet streets flood fast
Shade matters, green matters, water matters
Cities grow, but life must follow
You act to keep balance alive
Poem: Rivers Run Red
This poem reflects the impact of illegal mining, known as galamsey, in Ghana.
Earth torn, soil churned deep
Rivers swell with mud and stone
Trees vanish, hills are bare
Fish flee, water tastes strange
Hands dig, machines roar
Communities watch, lands suffer
Gold shines, but life dims
You see loss where hope once grew
Rain falls, but land struggles
Nature fights, yet wounds remain
Change waits, but you act now
Restore balance, guard what is left