I have always had the feeling that my life was lacking, that I was not doing enough of something.
I remember when climate change was only a word to me. Four months ago my professor first introduced me to the concept. At first, I thought that climate change was just a part of my sociology class, something that we would be done with after a few classes. However, that was not the case.
I come from a country that is considered one of the richest in the world, a country where temperatures rise high enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk. I was raised in Saudi Arabia.
Climate change has never been a topic on the tongues of the students of Saudi Arabia. I cannot recall ever talking about climate change with my teachers, friends, classmates or family. This tells me that there is a huge population oblivious to what is happening around the world.
As a country that produces most of the fossil fuel distributed throughout the world, it is no surprise that climate change is never discussed in Saudi Arabia. That would be like admitting that the Saudi government has left a huge carbon footprint.
Researching the topic I came across several talks by people I had never heard of – one of them stood out to me. When talking about climate change, this person had a look on her face that I did not see on others. It was the same look my professor had when he spoke about climate change. It was the look of passion.
This person's name is Rachel Kyte, who is the World Bank's principal advocate for raising global awareness of climate change. Ms. Kyte is helping inspire a social change in the world. I remember thinking, how can I be like this person?
A week later, I was granted an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. Have you ever wished you had the chance to meet someone and were granted that chance? I received an invitation to attend the Connect4Climate screening of Years of Living Dangerously at the World Bank. The film was a preview of a new television series on climate change.
The event started with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim stating how he and his organization are trying to deal with climate change. After his talk, he invited three people on stage for a discussion on what we might expect to happen to the world and how to prevent the worst of climate change. Ms. Kyte was moderator of the discussion.
The film that followed was something that can only be described as a dream. I could not believe what I was watching. It portrayed the world we live in the today, and the catastrophes that are happening all around us because of climate change. The movie contained many famous people who are also interested in the battle against humans' constant greed, which is killing the very planet we live on.
The movie screening ended with a round of applause. I had a hard time looking up. I was extremely emotional. The movie showed elements that would have made a stonehearted man break down in tears. I managed to compose myself. I was determined to get a word in with Ms. Kyte.
After wriggling myself between reporters, I finally managed to reach her only to be dumbstruck. Somehow, I managed to compose myself and was able to say a few words on how she inspired me. I was also able to pluck up the courage to ask her for a photograph with me. She was happy to oblige.
Leaving the auditorium I had a funny feeling in my gut. Walking past a glass window I saw a smile on my face that looked a bit out of place.
I realized that the people who had attended the screening with me were not only from the U.S. There were people from China, India, Italy, Germany, Poland, Ivory Coast, South Africa and even a fellow Saudi Arabian.
To see that there were people at the event from all over the world helped encourage me to stand firm and pursue my cause for as long as my bones and muscles will allow me. To see a fellow countryman at the event was evidence enough that more and more people were becoming aware of our cause.
Suddenly I knew what I could do to help. I knew that I had to spread the word, to inspire as many people as I can. I decided that I would help enlighten the minds of people about the dangers of climate change and the solutions we need to take forward.
I left the World Bank a new person. I left with a new purpose in life. I left with a cause.
This was originally posted on the Connect4Climate website.
This content is produced and controlled by Connect4Climate
