Note: Imagining the world of 2040 transported me back to my 13-year-old self, when optimism was abundant and the concept of climate change first entered my consciousness. In envisioning this year, I see it encapsulated in the daily experiences of Noori, a 13-year-old girl residing in Rajasthan, India, alongside her parents and younger brother. Through her eyes, we glimpse a future where the younger generation embodies a vision of sustainability and resilience.

A day in Noori’s life:

As the warm rays of the sun kissed the horizon, Noori eagerly stepped out onto the balcony of her family's fifth-floor apartment in Rajasthan, India. Surrounded by a neighbourhood of green architecture buildings adorned with solar panels, her home was a testament to sustainable living.

Inside, Noori's younger brother played gleefully with his collection of wooden toys crafted by Indian artisans, while a variety of plants integrated with the building's systems flourished under their care. Responsibility for nurturing these plants and trees was shared among the residents, fostering a sense of community and environmental responsibility.

With her backpack slung over her shoulder, Noori descended the stairs to meet her friends, greeted by the familiar hum of the electric vehicle waiting to ferry them to school. The vessel, designed to pick up twenty children from their homes in the neighbourhood, was a symbol of their commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing clean energy solutions.

Noori reaches school, her school is  constructed from locally sourced materials that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Passing by the school's resident "tiger," a friendly dog the students collectively cared for, she felt a sense of pride in her world, it was a space where there was shared commitment towards nurturing both animals and the environment.

In her maths class, taught beneath the sprawling canopy of a mango tree, Noori and her classmates immersed themselves in the intricacies of numbers and equations, inspired by the natural beauty that surrounded them. During lunch break, she savoured a nutritious meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients, including homegrown vegetables that would make for a blanched diet. But it was her favourite class, held after lunch, that truly ignited Noori's passion for nature. Engaging in activities designed to deepen their connection with nature, she and her peers experimented with printmaking using the barks of different trees, learning to identify each species by its distinctive markings. With each stroke of the brush, they forged a bond with the natural world that would shape their understanding and appreciation for years to come.

She comes back from  school and steps out in the evening. Into her community, she encounters a neighbourhood teeming with sustainable practices and shared values. The streets are lined with trees and green spaces, offering respite from the bustling city life. Residents gather in communal areas to tend to rooftop gardens, growing fresh produce using organic methods. Rainwater harvesting systems dot the landscape, capturing precious water for irrigation and household use.

In Noori's world, sustainability isn't just a concept—it's a way of life ingrained in every aspect of her existence. From her family's home equipped with solar panels to the wooden toys crafted by local artisans, every detail reflects a conscious effort to minimise environmental impact and embrace renewable resources. The walls of their apartment complex, adorned with vibrant murals depicting scenes of nature and sustainability, serve as a constant reminder of their shared values.