In the UPU letter writing sample essay on the topic: “Imagine you are the ocean”, contestants transform into the ocean - telling stories about marine creatures harmed by plastic waste, calling for action to protect the environment.
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Dear Mai - The girl who used to pick up trash on the beach!
I am the ocean, home to millions of sea creatures, a place where people come to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Yesterday, I saw you on the beach, your little hands picking up pieces of plastic trash that had washed up on the shore. I want to tell you how grateful I am to you.
Did you know that more than eight million tons of plastic waste flow into the ocean every year? Plastic bottles, nylon bags, straws - they don't disappear on their own, but drift everywhere, causing harm to my residents. Once, I witnessed a sea turtle accidentally swallowing a plastic bag because it thought it was a jellyfish. It writhed, despaired, and then passed out in the water. I also saw a whale washed ashore with dozens of pounds of trash in its stomach. Plastic debris not only kills them, but also enters the food chain, directly affecting human health.
I used to be proud of my crystal clear blue, of the colorful coral reefs and the swimming fish. But now I am surrounded by plastic waste. From the Pacific to the Atlantic, from the coast of America to the small fishing villages of Vietnam, there are traces of plastic waste everywhere. Did you know that it takes hundreds of years for a plastic bottle to completely decompose? Every second, thousands of new pieces of trash are drawn into me, making me feel more and more suffocated.
But Mai, you alone cannot change everything. You can help me by sharing this story with your family and friends. Encourage them to use less plastic, bring cloth bags when going to the market, use reusable water bottles instead of plastic bottles. Every time you go to the beach, leave only footprints in the sand, do not bring trash. Participate in beach clean-up campaigns, lobby factories to reduce the amount of waste discharged into the ocean. Your small actions can inspire millions of others. If everyone does a little, I will gradually recover.
I hope that one day, when you return to the beach, you will see me in my best condition: clear blue water, no more floating trash, turtles and whales swimming freely. I believe that with the help of you and those who care about me, the ocean will become a home full of life again.
Thank you for caring about me when so many others remained indifferent.
See you on clean beaches and clear waters!
| In 2025, the UPU international letter writing competition has the theme: “Imagine you are the ocean. Write a letter to someone explaining why and how they should take good care of you”. In English: “Imagine you are the ocean. Write a letter to someone explaining why and how they should take good care of you”. |
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