Mavis Rita 

Younger Division, Holy Cross High School, Bangladesh

Israth Sultana

Older Division, Holy Cross College, Bangladesh

One day I found a little kitten on my way to school. As soon as I held out my hand towards her, she also approached me in the same way. From that day on, we became inseparable best friends. I named it Cami. 

Back then there was a large field not far from our house, near a plastic factory. Cami and I would run through the field, racing through the grass without a care of the world. 

One day when I came back home from school, I couldn’t find Cami. Mom told me that Cami was at the hospital. I rushed there with my elder sister. I was scared, and confused, not knowing what was happening. 

After waiting for some hours, my mom came out holding Cami in her arms who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. I whispered not to make noises otherwise Cami might wake up. But my mom softly told me, “Cami will never wake up.” 

As a 9-year-old, I found it hard to understand the meaning behind her words. However, all I knew was from that day I never got to see Cami again. Though my mom used to comfort me, telling me that Cami had become an angel, it didn’t help. 

Years later, I learned the truth: why she didn’t wake up that day. She died. She died from kidney disease. The vet explained that environmental toxins had damaged her kidneys. The air in the place where we used to play around was highly contaminated by the chemical emissions from the plastics factory. My mom would urge me to wear a mask; however, we couldn’t protect Cami in the same way, which led her to slow decline. 

Cami’s death was a turning point for me. As I grew older, I began to understand that the world we live in doesn’t just belong to us — it’s shared with countless animals and plants, why the earth is called our common home. Moreover, all of these beings depend on us to protect their home. The loss of my best friend made me realize the consequences of our actions on the environment and the creatures that share it with us. 

This realization was deepened by some statistics that highlighted how far-reaching the impact of environmental pollution can be, often beyond our knowledge. Since 2019 environmental pollution has witnessed both upgradation and degradation. In 2020 due to the global lockdown, according to the European Space Agency (ESA), a 30-40% drop in nitrogen dioxide and other detrimental gases was visible in major development cities like New York, Paris, and so on. The situation changed in 2021 when the world was considering the future and the present side by side. We were concerned about keeping ourselves safe from the Coronavirus by using masks, one-time gloves, and other things. At the same time, we had to think about the conditions once the virus erased. The World Air Quality Report, IQAir. indicates that from 2022 to 2024 as industries have resumed, pollution rebounded in many countries like India and China seeing pM2.5 levels rise by 10–20%. This increase in pollution has had devastating effects both on human and wildlife health.

After the COVID-19 Pandemic, the situation has worsened. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, air pollution was responsible for over 8.1 million human deaths globally with fine particular matter: cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, due to climate change and rising global temperatures, heat-related deaths increased by more than 68% from 2000 to 2019, especially among vulnerable populations­ — this statistic is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The health effects of pollution can exacerbate these risks for both humans and animals. In terms of wildlife, this pandemic showed a significant effect: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has documented a significant effect: up to 40% increase in marine animal deaths linked to plastic and chemical pollutants in the last few years. 

Cami’s suffering opened my eyes to the hidden impacts of human activities — impacts that are often felt by those who cannot speak for themselves. 

This motivated me to take responsibility for our shared home. I began to think about how we can reduce our environmental footprint, from minimizing plastic use to supporting clean energy. Every small action contributes to a larger cause: creating a safer, healthier world for both humans and animals. 

Moreover, I wanted to contribute personally, which is why I currently dedicate my time as a volunteer with several NGOs that rescue street animals — cats, dogs, and even birds — just like Cami. In addition, I work with “Save Green Plants,” an organization that not only raises awareness about environmental protection but also takes hands-on action, such as cleaning up the roads and reducing pollution in our community and arranging sessions to provide better knowledge of how to cope up with the permanent damage. We have also planted trees along the roadside and arranged markable programs that encourage people to plant more trees. 

I know that I can never bring Cami back, but in every cat, dog, or bird I help, I find a part of her. In every animal I rescue and every effort I make to combat environmental pollution, I find my way to honor her. My love for Cami lives on [through]a commitment to caring for our common, ensuring that other animals have a safer, healthier habitat — one that Cami deserves too. Moreover, I don’t want anyone else to experience the feeling of losing their loved ones untimely like I did. Therefore, by fostering collective responsibility, we can create a world where humans as well as animals can breathe in fresh air and I am inspired every day to care for our common home.

Alinawe Marie 

Younger Division, Moreau Nursery and Primary School, Uganda

Bindhiya

God’s Creation

Older Division, Our Lady of Holy Cross School, India

Daniella

Younger Division, Our Lady of Holy Cross School, Ghana

Parama 

Older Division, Holy Cross College, Bangladesh