Soroptimist Public Speaking
Jessica Asare and Nooran Alrubaye took part in this year’s Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition. Jessica’s chosen topic was “Prosperity and health “LIfe isn’t fair. Get used to it!” - Bill Gates”, while Nooran spoke on the Planet and the Environment. We wish Nooran every success as she progresses to the Regional Final stage of this competition.Below are extracts from both their speeches.
“Prosperity and health “LIfe isn’t fair. Get used to it!” - Bill Gates”,
Bill Gates once said “Life is not fair. Get used to it!” So let me ask you this; is it fair that we, the working class, suffer and struggle to get by while billionaires flourish and thrive? Is it fair that in developing countries, children my age and younger don’t reach their 16th birthdays while people like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos directly profit from their labour and become richer than Gods? Is it fair that the 1% live like kings and queens with more money that any of us could earn in ten lifetimes while the people whose backs their empires are built on barely scrape by? Is it fair that all they have to say for themselves is “get used to it” while the skeletons of child labour, sweatshops, blatently unsafe working conditions for exploited employees, and corrupt business practices gather dust in their closets?
Does that sit right with you - are you willing to take Gates’ advice and “get used to it”? Or do you believe that we can change? We simply cannot go on like this; the gap between rich and poor is greater than ever, and it is widening still. This problem is not going to go away on its own and must be addressed. This injustice is a product of classist ideals, which are deeply ingrained in our businesses, governments, even the minds of our family, friends and neighbours. To dispel these ideals and evolve beyond the inescapable vice of harshly drawn class lines, we must recognise our collective worth as the working class and take our place alongside the 1%. We must abandon the misguided notion of “trickle down economics”, acknowledge the destructive power of the ultra-rich, and take action to dismantle it. We must tax the rich and feed the poor. We must fund public services and make affordable, accessible healthcare and the highest possible standards for education the norm. We must raise the standard of living for everybody, without exception, rather than favour those whose pockets run deep. Now, while many would dismiss these as radical communist ideals, countries like Finland and Denmark have proven time and again through their many welfare policies ,that even strongly capitalist governments can vastly improve the lives of the citizens they work for and represent, as is their duty as functional governments in a democratic society. (Jessica Asare)
The Planet and the Environment
Climate change is the biggest threat we face today! According to the National Geographic Society,it is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. Do you have any idea about the consequences climate change is having?
The rise of sea levels causing polar bears to become almost extinct,
the increased heat killing essential insect species such as bees,
increased wildfires,
agricultural problems,
diseases, poverty , hunger and so much more destructive effects.
These occurrences are more terrifying than a horror movie.
Therefore, we must put our heads together to act on this NOW, not next week, not next month not next year. Ladies and Gentlemen, realise that there could be no tomorrow, no next week..
So no point in waiting, no point in not attempting. If we do not even try, we will not gain anything.
If no step is taken, we will stay where we are …...and we must always aspire to progress and move forward.
WE NEED CHANGE FOR A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT,
FOR A CLEAN FUTURE.
It is not as bad as you think, pause ...it is much worse. Remember the Ophelia storm back in 2017? THAT is what climate change looks like. pause
What is causing this catastrophic change on our planet?
Our unsustainable use of coal, oil, and gas to produce electricity, fuel cars, and power manufacturing companies is endangering not only the lives of animals and plants, but also our own.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has determined that fossil fuel emissions are the MAIN contributor to global warming. In 2018, 89%(emphasise) of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels. Ladies and gentlemen,the concentrations of CO2 in our atmosphere have increased by nearly 30% since the beginning of the industrial revolution.
Did you know that on average, global air temperatures near Earth's surface have gone up about 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the past 100 years. In fact, the past five years have been the warmest five years in centuries.pause
Ladies and gentlemen, droughts and desertification are on their way.
The Earth would be a much happier place if we did not inhabit it. Does this fact not sadden you?
Congratulations to Nooran who qualified fro the Regional Finals of this competition.
