KidSpirit

Decay of the Beautiful

NatureGlobal Beat


I live in Haiti, a country that, despite having beautiful nature, has many problems in terms of maintaining that beautiful nature. The beaches of Haiti are gorgeous, there are plants and flowers that are stunning, but there is pollution and trash and reminders that not everything is okay. It’s a fact that I hate hearing, but it remains true: Haiti is a country of poverty. The state of the environment in Haiti reflects that, as there is massive deforestation, much of which is to produce charcoal, because it’s cheaper than other greener ways of producing energy. It is impossible to live sustainably when your life and your nation is unsustainable.

If there was a Maslow’s hierarchy of needs for countries, environmental health and stability, while on the list, would be above the need for food and shelter and stability. Haiti is struggling with all of those things, due to corrupt politicians, businesses that are allowed to exploit their workers, and a lack of a system that works for those who need it to. The United States has also played a part in destabilizing the Haitian economy and the Haitian political process, while also being one of the world’s leaders in terms of pollution. While everybody appreciates nature and enjoys seeing its beauty, it is much harder to care for it in a country where so many things are not cared for by those in power who should be caring for them, and a country which is exploited by larger superpowers and by its own leaders.

Haiti is a beautiful country with wonderful people and culture and I love it. I have lived in Haiti my entire life and I am grateful for that. But the Haitian people are struggling and, with economic struggle comes the decay of beautiful ecosystems and wonderful nature. And if global superpowers like the United States and China don’t stop the damage to the environment that they are causing, and if small, struggling countries continue to be exploited by global superpowers and by their own leaders, then countries like Haiti will continue to suffer the effects of poverty and pollution.

Sebastian Hersey is an 11th grader at Quisqueya Christian School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti who is interested in writing, sports, reading, and the world.

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Art by Jaden Flach, Brooklyn

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Art by Jaden Flach, Brooklyn