N.J. teen publishes book raising awareness for climate injustice

Since she was in kindergarten, Brianna Zhao had been intrigued by storytelling and writing. On most days, she’d stay after school to learn poetry or read from the library, constantly immersing herself into a creative atmosphere.

But as she grew up, another topic began to fascinate her: the issue of climate justice. Hearing the escalating news about wildfires, habitat loss, and ocean pollution was frustrating to Brianna, as she did not know what she could do to help. However, when she had more time to think during quarantine that pervaded most of her junior year, Brianna became motivated to raise awareness for our ever changing ecosystem. Only a junior in high school, she decided to transform her passion for literature into making a tangible impact. So, spewing action out of each word written, a five-star rated book was born. According to Brianna, the book is an “anthology aiming to instill readers with a sense of urgency regarding our present ecological crisis.” While most teenagers are worried about getting homework done in time, Brianna has a greater set of goals to reach. Sitting down at her computer late one evening, she began writing a first draft, recording down every thought that came to mind. “I was focused on targeting the fashion industry,” she said. “After doing some research, I could easily see how it was deemed the ‘second most polluting industry in the world.’” After long months of writing, editing, and revising, the book was finally complete; It is titled “Social and Environmental Injustice: Anthology on How Fast Fashion is Harming Our Modern World” and can be found on Amazon.com in the United States as well as 7 other countries across the globe, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Canada, and Australia, not to mention the United Kingdom as well. Comprising poetry, short stories, and analytical pieces into one uniform collection, the book really ties together a manifold view of social and natural injustices that stem from our garment industry.

Since publishing the craft in July of this year, Brianna has felt proud of herself, but knows that the work is not done. The “race to the end is really no race,” she claims, “but a consistent effort to fight against the damage already imposed on our Earth.” Besides this project, Brianna has also incorporated her eco-activism into other parts of her life. She teaches young students after school topics in nature conservation and conscious choice making, on top of managing her own digital news publication which brings to light various pressing issues at the forefront of our society. This 17-year-old is showing the world that it is never too early to start taking action, responsibility, and care for a more sustainable and inclusive society, where important problems are not ignored, but talked about. “We are fighting for our home and our future,” she expresses. “I know it is not a one-man job, but I will continue to use my voice to speak up about injustice in all forms.”

The rising Senior is aware there is still a long way to go, and each step does not have to be perfect; rather, confronting these issues is the first step to growth. Brianna admits that she herself is not a perfect minimalist consumer, but each stride for improvement we take is vital in any journey - especially in combating climate change - and should be celebrated. Drawing inspiration from Brianna, we can each pour some of our talents - whether that be in writing, art, or anything else - into the pool of innovation that has the ability to turn our future into a brighter, more unified one.