Tag Archives: writing

Girls on Ice*Alaska Expedition

Dear Earth,

Long time no see.

I just returned from my expedition in Alaska—and wow, what an adventure it was. I crossed glacial rivers so cold they made my bones ache, climbed over moraines that felt like ancient staircases built by time itself, and carried science gear through terrain that demanded every ounce of strength and curiosity I had. It was raw, intense, and beautiful.

But I won’t lie—the first two days were rough. I felt completely out of my element. No phone, no warm bed, no easy way to talk to my family. The days were long and unfamiliar, the bugs relentless, and I remember lying in my sleeping bag wondering why I’d come at all. I missed home, missed the comfort of a hot meal and a familiar routine. My muscles ached in ways I didn’t know were possible, and I found myself silently counting the days until it would be over.

But slowly, something shifted. I got used to the cold fingers in the morning and the weight of my pack. I began to see the rhythm of this new lifestyle—the simplicity, the quiet, the way everything I needed was on my back or beside me in the team. The discomfort faded, and in its place came awe.

Because beyond the physical challenge, what truly left a mark on me was the community. I met the most incredible people—strong, kind, brilliant individuals who care about you deeply, Earth. We shared stories under a sky that never really got dark, and we laughed in the face of rainstorms and sore muscles. Together, we learned how to observe you with scientific eyes and an open heart. We tested glacial runoff, studied sediment layers, and tried to understand how your ancient rhythms are changing with the warming climate.

There’s something grounding about being so close to your untouched corners. In those moments—whether freezing in a river or journaling by the fire—you reminded me that science is not just data, but connection. It’s feeling the crunch of gravel underfoot and knowing it tells a story that predates us.

I miss the stillness. I miss the wild. I miss you, Earth, in your unfiltered form.

Until the next adventure,
With love and bruised knees,
Jessica Ngok

Trump’s Lumber Slaughter

Dear Earth,

I would like to start off by saying that I just absolutely bombed my first SAT. But honestly, as much as I want to crawl into bed and rot for the next 24 hours, I’m way too fueled with rage to sit quietly right now.

Let me cut to the chase: Trump. Forests. Tariffs. Disaster.

If you care about the Earth — and I mean truly care about it, not in a “save the turtles” trendy way but in a genuine “I care about the planet and our future generations” way — then buckle up because this is about to infuriate you.

Trump’s “brilliant” plan (and I use that word very loosely) involves slapping a hefty tariff on Canadian lumber imports. Now, you may be thinking, okay… and? Well, the result of this is that American businesses, desperate for wood, will turn to our own forests. The same forests that shelter wildlife, regulate carbon dioxide, and literally keep our planet alive. Trump’s logic? Why pay for lumber from our friendly northern neighbor when we can just destroy our own forests? Genius, right?

Hundreds of acres. Gone.
Forests that took centuries to grow. Gone.
Habitats for countless species. Gone.

And for what? To inflate America’s economy through deforestation? So Trump can act like he’s “saving America” while simultaneously driving us into a climate catastrophe? I don’t think so.

It’s already bad enough that we’re losing forests at alarming rates due to climate change, fires, and illegal logging — but now, Trump wants to legalize this destruction through his administration’s forest-clearing policies. You can’t tell me that doesn’t boil your blood.

And the thing is — it’s not even about us anymore. It’s about the animals, the soil, the water, and the literal air we breathe. Every tree cut down for profit means another hit to our planet’s lungs. But of course, none of this crosses Trump’s mind. Because why care about the environment when you can slap tariffs on Canada and call it a day?

I am TIRED. Tired of pretending that things like this aren’t happening. Tired of watching world leaders prioritize power and money over the only home we have. Tired of watching forests get slaughtered like they’re meaningless when, in reality, they are our survival.

So yeah. I may have bombed my SAT this morning, but at least I still have my common sense intact. Can’t say the same for the man who is determined to leave our planet in shambles.

If you care about the Earth — and I mean really care — then don’t sit quietly about this. Speak up. Vote. Educate yourself. Because the forests may not have a voice, but we do.

And right now? Our forests are screaming.

Peace. Love. Earth,

Jessica Ngok 🌎