TURN IT
AROUND!

Flied semi-low, Hornbill exposed, Ambrosial comparable to drugs, In a lively space. Feeling dulcifies, Watching other birds fly, High expands, Let it be lost without winning. Proud of the rank, Endangered species; the hornbill nominated, Mankind’s...

The twenty-first century – filled with alarm, Our planet suffers, nature loses its charm. It slips through our fingers, drained and dry, Leaving behind only grey in the sky. Forests vanish, rivers run bare, Waters grow murky, life gasps for air. Fi...

Central Asia is highly vulnerable. Droughts and floods could cost up to 1.3% of GDP annually and cut crop yields by 30% by 2050, potentially forcing 5.1 million people to migrate within their countries. Governments must prioritise adaptation and prot...

Human ego tends to think of things in nature as being useful for us or useless in general. It’s a pretty incredible conceit. Truly observing nature teaches us that everything on Earth has its own purpose and we should value what each creature d...

I love taking care of our plants at home. I call them "bunso" or a younger sibling in Filipino. As an only child, I treat my plants as one of my younger brothers. I water them for nourishment, secure them by putting them inside our house when there's...

We should view climate education as important as any other studies such as medicine or law. In climate education, we, the young generation, are not just bound to study the science behind climate change. Instead, we should see climate education as the...

Take a deep breath… if you can....

You might be surprised that a 14-year-old cares about environmental issues but it scares me to see how few of my peers still do. We are the future, yet we don’t take care of the Earth we’ll be living on. I asked my friends what they think about g...

Produced by CAPS Unlock in partnership with the UNESCO Almaty, and in collaboration with the Mary Lou Fulton College of Teaching and Learning Innovation at Arizona State University and the Artists’ Literacies Institute. Designers: Ilya Osipov, Matv...

There are two common sayings used in my family. They are the lessons from my ancestors: 1. जो प्राप्त है, वो पर्याप्त है (Whatever we possess, is what is enough) 2. ये दुनिया चलती...

The trees they teach me That to breathe It means you need To not just take but give That the Sun Is life’s sustenance And the Earth Is his gift to us The animals They speak to me In languages more sophisticated Than our own chattering They see sign...

CAPS Unlock is an independent think tank based in Almaty, Kazakhstan – dedicated to advancing policy solutions for Central Asia’s most pressing challenges. These cards amplify the voices of young people across the region. Their art and words reve...

Natural disasters are a stark reminder of how fragile our connection with nature truly is. The melting of glaciers in the mountains of Central Asia deprives us of water, while hurricanes sweep away entire villages. But is nature taking revenge? No. I...

Teaching is an act of love and care. Awareness is the initial step towards change. The Earth is sending us warnings and we need to hear its voice and learn....

Dancing in yellow tastes sweeter than passionfruit, a place where the mountains, the beetles, the trees can hold me. They give me so much — I want to give back, to make them feel held. To support them in their growth, to watch the sun continue...

The TURN IT AROUND! Central Asia Climate and Ecology Flashcards are a message from the youth of Central Asia to their governments and educators: ‘We care about our planet. We want you to take climate and ecological action – and education �...

Puhon translates to “someday” or “in God’s time” in Bisaya, a language from the Philippines. This special expression brings hope and positivity, a glimpse of the possibilities of all that seem impossible, and the limitless dreams of young c...

If we learn to live in harmony with nature, we can ensure a bright future for ourselves and for the generations to come....

To deny the current state of our planet and society is to deny making proactive solutions and taking necessary steps towards our survival....