SUSTAINABLE DANBURY

Just Imagine…

Just imagine…
If we could paint the world back green,
Flush all the rivers and oceans clean.
If we could make space for all of nature,
Be kind and respectful to every creature.
If we could protect and nourish every tree,
Plant forests and let them flourish free.
If we could tame the fire-tongued dragon,
Turn down the heat, unbearable to imagine.
If we could quell storms and hurricanes,
Ease the world from its aches and pains.
If we could thwart floods and soften waves,
And dare to stand tall, be bold and brave.
If we could stop taking and give instead,
Plant seeds of sustainability in hearts and heads.
If we could pause and learn to share,
Honour our home and show we care…
The world would be a better place.

© Linda Middleton

Polar Bear’s aren’t made for Sun Loungers

Polar bear’s aren’t made for sun loungers,
Chilling, nose in an Arctic magazine.
They’d rather not bother with sunglasses
And would say no to vanilla ice cream.

You’d lose your hand in a polar bear’s coat:
Thick and zipless, into brightness it blends.
Perfect for snow sliding down sparkly slopes
And padding warmly to where sea ice ends.

But polar bears’ white world is shrinking;
An ice cube the legacy they’ll be left.
Demon pollution driving global warming:
A hungry monster, guilty of Arctic theft.

Say no to polar bears on sun loungers.
Say no to that skimpy bikini look.
Protect polar bears’ wondrous world.
Hold back that wicked Arctic crook.

So, if lit like Blackpool illuminations,
Simply flick that power switch.
Give polar bears a frozen future
And help your family stay cash rich.

© Linda Middleton

Polar bears rely on the sea ice for travelling, hunting and resting, but this is melting at an alarming rate due to global warming. Global warming is the heating of the planet caused by humans burning huge amounts of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas); breeding vast numbers of methane-producing cattle; and cutting down the forests that naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

If I were a Giant…

If I were a great, ginormous giant,
Towering terrifically tall in watery depths,
I’d strain every ocean through my supersized sieve
To capture every poisonous piece of plastic.
Squishing and squashing it into the biggest ball,
I’d boldly bat this lethal planet polluter
To orbit Earth like a mean menacing moon.
And I’d earnestly whisper, ‘Humans, this is your last chance.’

If I were a great, ginormous giant,
Towering terrifically tall in ravaged rainforests,
I’d soon plant a wonderful world of heroic trees
To capture your shadows of shame.
I’d snap every poacher’s wicked weapon,
So all creatures could finally be free
To live with you greedy-guts humans in happy harmony.
And I’d sternly say, ‘Humans, this is your last chance.’

If I were a great, ginormous giant,
Towering terrifically tall beside choking chimneys,
I’d sure shove your polluting power stations
To quickly crumble at my thunderous feet.
So I could power your ‘wonderful world’,
I’d blow my big blustery breath
To twist and turn your farms of terrific turbines,
Forever keeping your home towns twinkling.
But I’d still have breath to bellow,
‘HUMANS, THIS IS YOUR VERY LAST CHANCE!’

© Linda Middleton

Practice Reading Paper for World Leaders

Topic:
The menacing monsters beneath my bed,
Shifting, snarling and filling me with dread.

1. What if the swallows never came?    (1 mark)
Summer would not shine quite the same.

2. What if the dawn chorus slips into silence?     (1 mark)
The gaping hole would scream loud in defiance.

3. What if sports’ day’s a mirage in the heat?    (1 mark)
Trainers would sit sorrowful in defeat.

4. What if roads slither into toxic snakes?    (1 mark)
Wailing sirens would close our school gates.

5. What if daffodils replace robins on Christmas cards?    (1 mark)
Creatures would be in chaos in every backyard.

6. What if snowflakes drift into magical history?    (1 mark)
Sledging and snowmen would fly into mystery.

7. What if the Amazon disappears in smoke?    (1 mark)
The Bank of the Earth would be brutally broke.

8. What if the ocean cauldron bubbles and boils?    (1 mark)
The coral kaleidoscope would fade and spoil.

9. What if land dries to dust and people flee?    (1 mark)
We’d need to make room for climate refugees.

10. What if Arctic ice melts, splitting Earth’s seams?    (1 mark)
Homes would be lost for polar bears to queens.

11. What if world leaders stall at stalemate?    (5 marks)
The dark monsters would rise and seal our fate.

12. What powers do you hold in planetary hands?    (10 marks)
The chance to banish monsters from all our lands.

                                                                                 ( /25 marks)

PASS RATE PRIOR TO COP26: 100%

© Linda Middleton