Not Only Their Problem

Essay Writing Competition 2025
Category: 8 - 11 years
- Commendation -

Junior category: Commendation

"Not Only Their Problem" - Essay by Sion Jang

Not Only Their Problem

Do you know how many animals are in danger because of humans? The Earth is getting hotter yearly, and many animals can no longer find safe homes. Polar bears are losing ice to rest on, and penguins cannot protect their eggs. When animals lose their homes, they cannot survive.

The loss of safe homes for animals is their problem and a warning for us. Some people feel sad when they hear about polar bears or penguins dying, but think it is far away and not connected to their lives. That is not true. If animals are in danger now, humans may face the same danger later. When the glaciers in Switzerland melt, it is not just a scary story from scientists. It is really happening, showing how fast the Earth is changing.

Even in Korea, I can feel the Earth is warmer. My grandfather told me summers were so hot long ago that people sometimes slept near the river at night. Winters were so cold that it was still freezing even with hot ondol floors and thick blankets. But today, winters are not that cold anymore. Spring and fall are very short, summers are extremely hot, and heavy rain comes too often. These are clear signs that our climate is changing and affecting us already.

If we do nothing, more animals will disappear, and one day, people may also lose safe homes and food, just like the animals. That is why we must act now. As children, we can practice small actions in our daily lives. We can wash milk cartons and recycle them, turn plastic bottles into new items, or upcycle old clothes into bags we can carry. We can plant trees on small hills near our apartments, and during the day, we can try not to turn on the lights. These small actions may look tiny, but I believe they will create a "butterfly effect" that can save both people and animals in the future.

Let me say this part again, because it’s important. The animals are dying because of climate change, but humans will also suffer if we ignore the signs. Saving the Earth is not only for polar bears and penguins but also for us.

Let’s keep our Earth clean and healthy.

Let’s save the animals, and also save ourselves.

My dream is simple: a safe planet where animals and humans can live together peacefully. Just like in the ending of a fairy tale, I hope my children in the future can say, "And people and animals lived happily forever."

Congratulations on your thoughtful essay, Sion! You highlight the effects of climate change and the importance of protecting our planet very clearly. Your personal memories and practical ideas make your message especially powerful. Thank you for sharing your essay with us!

Sion attends Timbre English Academy in South Korea. English as additional language. Home language is Korean.