Hlelelwe Ginindza Receives 1st Place (10 to 16) in the UN Resident Coordinator's Essay Competition

The kind of world I would like to see by 2045

The world is far from perfect. There are so many things wrong and the "perfect world" only exists in our imagination. The world in 2045, 25 years from now, as I imagine it,  would be a far better place for life to exist. In my dream world, I picture humanity coexisting peacefully with each other and nature. That world would be ideal in the following aspects; environmentally, socially, economically and politically.

The world would be a clean, green and blue planet. There would be zero emissions of dangerous greenhouse gases and chlorofluorocarbons, responsible for climate change and ozone layer depletion respectively. Recent studies show that the gases emitted have decreased significantly in various countries thanks to the various laws and efforts such as the Clean Air Act, Carbon Tax and the large scale plantation of trees in the rainforests implemented to make this possible and make sure that there are eventually no gases emitted. by 2045 there would be cleaner, breathable air as well as an increase of at least 50% of trees in the rainforests. Damaged soil would be regenerated by practicing zero tillage and would be used sustainably and beneficially for life. In addition, there would be zero oil spillages and waste disposal in oceans and other water bodies as a result of the enactment of the Toxic Waste Control Act, protecting the diverse aquatic life from diminishing. Due to water pollution there has been a disturbing surge of about 15 species' yearly extinction. Studies carried out by GreenPeace have shown that about 10% of plastics produced end up in oceans causing marine species such as whales and fishes to ingest, suffocate or get entangled by the plastic debris. Oil on the other hand causes severe growth alterations and fatalities in aquatic life. the extinction rate of marine and wildlife would have decreased to 2.5%. In my head that's how I picture a perfect world environmentally and as an aspiring chemical engineer I hope to make this dream a reality by developing eco-friendly chemicals and products, adhering to chemical engineering laws and standards.

My dream for a perfect world includes tolerance among humanity. Studies show that terrorism is fuelled by racial and religious intolerance, people kill each other simply because they dislike others' religion and race. Rising femicide and abuse cases are as a result of gender intolerance and the violation of others' rights. By 2045, no perpetrators would go unpunished, maximum punishment imposed. Free, skills based education would be provided to every child, also offering the academically ungifted an equal chance to better their lives, increasing the world literacy rate which stood at 86.30% in 2018. Through education people would be well informed about social issues such as substance abuse, respecting others' rights as well as being able to create employment for themselves and others, thus eradicating poverty, hunger, human trafficking and related crimes in the process. Furthermore, every child would have access to 3 healthy meals daily, provided, to support mental and physical growth because according to the Food and Hunger Organization, more than 690 million people suffer from hunger globally even though more than enough food is produced. Free access to consumable water, technology and the best medical care would be available to all regardless of their financial standing. Disabled individuals would also have access to resources other citizens have access to. Thus, socially, the world would be a better place.

In the ideal world, each and every country would have gained financial independence and stability. Africa, the largest supplier of mineral resources yet the poorest continent, would also be able to make good use of these. This would be achievable through processing and manufacturing these raw materials into new products and selling them as finished goods by establishing eco-friendly manufacturing plants locally, thus boosting the economy. Governments would support small businesses through training and providing loans. As a result, countries and individuals would be able to economically sustain themselves. Corruption would have been eradicated through education and entrepreneurship and the enforcement of harsh laws against this economic plague.

Politically, 2045 would see less political wars because governments would be listening to the people, elections would be peaceful and fair as the people would be allowed freedom of speech. Implemented laws would be for the people by the people. Conflicts in and among nations would be effectively handled by neutral organizations such as the United Nations so they don't escalate because wars are devastating and temporarily or permanently cripple a country's economy.

My ideal world standards are 'Peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet' , making it a safe haven for all.