Utopia Project
Group: Sydnee Moe, Maria Sosa, Sophie Hall
Utopia Project
NY Times
Utopia Project
NY Times
As the world’s climate worsens at alarming rates, our nations haven't been able to come up with a compromise in years. Some believe we should drop everything and prioritize reverting climate change and its deadly partner in crime: global warming. Meanwhile, others stand their ground in indifference and would much rather sweep this issue under the rug than deal with it head-on. Many also were upset that they had to fix the mistakes made by the United States and China, the two largest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. You can't even count on your own two hands how many meetings each nation has had over this issue, and others branching off. One nation in particular, however, hasn't been as in the conversation, as they usually are. Canada tends to start the conversation and keep it flowing, but as of late, they've been quiet, inattentive, and lacking in participation and voting. On December 1st, 2022, over 100 nuclear bombs were dropped in every major city, devastating the entire world. These lethal and ominous mushroom clouds of unimaginable magnitudes could be seen scattered all over from airplanes overhead. It is later found that the origin point was near Ontario. It was soon revealed that this country was secretly developing its arsenal of weapons, making them much larger than any of Russia’s or the United States' stocks combined. The goal was to wipe the slate clean, so no one would argue any longer. But, this process completely ruined the planet’s environment, contaminating it with toxic radiation and debris. Every square inch was covered in rubble and scraps from bombs, and other rockets, that had flown halfway around the earth. They were found in large piles of shrapnel and chaos. Only a few areas of the world survived the disastrous effects of the initial explosion, but more than half passed from the fallout radiation and famine over the next few years. A small community, located in former Rochester, Minnesota, The Invincibles, as they call themselves, found sanctuary in an abandoned hospital. Members of this group were complete strangers before the nuclear war but now huddle together for warmth and solace in a desolate world. Food is scarce so they will be lucky to have a roof over their heads after dark.
PBS
PBS
A world of peace can be found in many ways. Physically, especially after the fallout of nuclear war, it's hard to come back to a place in which The Invincibles can create a workable and livable society while also maintaining a clear head. Mentally, they can band together and create a family, even if they didn’t know each other previously, and survive by living meaningfully, not just getting enough food and water, and shelter. Physically, they huddle together with the few that weren’t affected by the initial blast, then find shelter in the fallen buildings. As time goes on, a few rules are set within the community. Like staying in pairs, only taking your share in food and other rations, and never going outside of the hospital unless you inform everyone and you must go in a group. Everything in the community is put to an anonymous vote to keep it fair. While there isn't really a set government anymore, there are definitely a few leader-type figures within our group. They tend to come up with and enforce the rules. No one complains because everyone knows it is what is needed if we are going to survive. Eventually, running water is found, outside of the city, it is used for drinking and to wash off debris and any radioactive material that might have transferred. Running water is slim, but if you look hard enough, you might get lucky. It's easy to realize that this situation isn't ideal, and it's even easier to give up. But they don't. They persevere and overcome the obstacles that are thrown their way. They want to live and see the world again and bring society, as they know it, back. This found family wishes to enjoy roller coasters again, breathe fresh air again, and smile again because they mean it, not because they're forcing it. They want greenery, sun, and blue sky. As they begin to settle into their new life of moving and searching and yearning for a new world, they realize beneficial ways of environmental conservation, as they have barely any lasting healthy environment left. The group can use this information for the possible reverse of climate change later down the line. They want and want and want, and they're going to get it because they want to see it through. They are bringing themselves together, no matter the hardships, so they can have a life worth living again. The apocalypse has brought everyone closer together. When days are tough, the community bands together to create a more pleasant environment. Fun games are created, board games are brought out, and everyone reminisces about their past lives. People talk about how life was and how they wish it could be. Bonds are created and everyone gets to know each other. We spend time with one another and learn from each other. We learn every small detail about each other. We learn from each other too, by trading skills and stories. These connections are what is keeping us alive and sane. Without them, chaos would ensue and everything that has been done to keep up with survival would be lost
"'You know where I'm from,' he said, and she understood what he meant by this. Once we lived on an island in the ocean. Once we took the ferry to go to high school, and at night the sky was brilliant in the absence of all these city lights. Once we paddled canoes to the lighthouse to look at the petroglyphs and fished for salmon and walked through deep forests, but all of this was completely unremarkable because everyone else we knew did these things too, and here in these lives we've built for ourselves, here in these hard glittering cities, none of this would seem real if it wasn't for you." (Mandel 207).
“I stood looking over my damaged home and tried to forget the sweetness of life on Earth” (Mandel 42).
Journal Entries from 17-year-old survivor, Kaylee Sanchez:
January 15, 2023
Sunday
12:30 PM
Dear Diary,
It has been forty-six days since the nuclear bomb hit Minneapolis. I was in class when it all happened. A strange new alarm rang around the school, interrupting my 3rd hour U.S. History class, and the intercom urgently ordered us to take cover immediately under our desks. I realized this wasn’t a routine drill when I saw the look of horrified realization on my teacher’s face. We then felt sudden rumbling and dark rolling clouds filling the sky, and we all instantly slid under our desks, scared and confused as to what was causing this. Minnesota wasn’t known for having earthquakes or any other natural disaster during the winter... I texted on my family group chat asking my parents and older brother what was happening and if they were safe, but nothing went through. Suddenly, all of the lights went out, leaving us in utter darkness. I felt panic start to take over as my classmates screamed and cried with no consolation from our teacher who was curled up behind her desk, still in shock. After a couple minutes, the rumbling ceased and we all slowly stood up and walked over to the window. The city was a gray ghost town, covered in debris and several buildings run down from the rumbling
"'You know where I'm from,' he said, and she understood what he meant by this. Once we lived on an island in the ocean. Once we took the ferry to go to high school, and at night the sky was brilliant in the absence of all these city lights. Once we paddled canoes to the lighthouse to look at the petroglyphs and fished for salmon and walked through deep forests, but all of this was completely unremarkable because everyone else we knew did these things too, and here in these lives we've built for ourselves, here in these hard glittering cities, none of this would seem real if it wasn't for you." (Mandel 207).
“I stood looking over my damaged home and tried to forget the sweetness of life on Earth” (Mandel 42).
Journal Entries from 17-year-old survivor, Kaylee Sanchez:
January 15, 2023
Sunday
12:30 PM
Dear Diary,
It has been forty-six days since the nuclear bomb hit Minneapolis. I was in class when it all happened. A strange new alarm rang around the school, interrupting my 3rd hour U.S. History class, and the intercom urgently ordered us to take cover immediately under our desks. I realized this wasn’t a routine drill when I saw the look of horrified realization on my teacher’s face. We then felt sudden rumbling and dark rolling clouds filling the sky, and we all instantly slid under our desks, scared and confused as to what was causing this. Minnesota wasn’t known for having earthquakes or any other natural disaster during the winter... I texted on my family group chat asking my parents and older brother what was happening and if they were safe, but nothing went through. Suddenly, all of the lights went out, leaving us in utter darkness. I felt panic start to take over as my classmates screamed and cried with no consolation from our teacher who was curled up behind her desk, still in shock. After a couple minutes, the rumbling ceased and we all slowly stood up and walked over to the window. The city was a gray ghost town, covered in debris and several buildings run down from the rumbling
. 
Quora
We all pleaded with our teacher to tell us what happened and she finally ominously uttered, “It’s the end of the world. We have been attacked with a nuclear bomb”. The entire class was silent for a moment, not understanding at all what she meant. There had been no signs of war or threats made towards the United States that could’ve warned us of this. We decided the best course of action was to stay inside, away from the radiation. Some ignored this reasoning and left the school. We never saw them again. The first month, we survived off of the school lunches, rationing portions to draw out the two weeks’ worth into as long as we could. We had to breathe through our sleeves so we didn’t inhale any of the toxic chemicals or thick dust in the air. Once our food ran out, we decided to brave the outside world to find more food and supplies in other buildings. We decided to go to the biggest resource center in Rochester: the Mayo Clinic.
Quora
We all pleaded with our teacher to tell us what happened and she finally ominously uttered, “It’s the end of the world. We have been attacked with a nuclear bomb”. The entire class was silent for a moment, not understanding at all what she meant. There had been no signs of war or threats made towards the United States that could’ve warned us of this. We decided the best course of action was to stay inside, away from the radiation. Some ignored this reasoning and left the school. We never saw them again. The first month, we survived off of the school lunches, rationing portions to draw out the two weeks’ worth into as long as we could. We had to breathe through our sleeves so we didn’t inhale any of the toxic chemicals or thick dust in the air. Once our food ran out, we decided to brave the outside world to find more food and supplies in other buildings. We decided to go to the biggest resource center in Rochester: the Mayo Clinic.
After a long journey with no cars or way of transportation besides our own two legs, we found a small community of survivors as well. They called themselves “The Invincibles”. This small group compassionately took us in, offering us refuge. I have been living here since then, sharing a hospital room with my classmate, Stacy. I hadn’t really talked to her before, but during this wretched time, she had become my closest friend. Living in this hospital was tough, I constantly thought of my family, hoping they took cover and are doing okay now. Every day I spent without them I grew sadder and more hopeless. I pray I can see them again, one day.
August 28th, 2023
Monday
Late night
We started getting dangerously low on food about a week ago and there are no animals to hunt or fertile soil for crops. To find food, search parties were formed by the adults to check buildings that were still standing, hoping to find some nonperishables. They would be gone for days on end, so to pass the time, Stacy and I would help with serving whatever leftover rations were left and hospital upkeep. We would wander around the hospital, admiring the operating rooms, the lobbies, the cafeteria, and the equipment, looking back on the times when these were used daily. Since our cell phones and computers are obsolete now, I’ve had a lot more free time to talk with others and take in more of my surroundings. I imagine the old world as I watch the barren landscape through the window. Our teacher and some other adults offered to continue our school lessons, but now more centered on survival. While this has been a good distraction from the state of our world, I still can’t help but think of my family and all of the other people in our lives that we haven’t seen in far too long.
Fall 2023
Midday
The days have blended together over time so I haven’t paid attention to the day of the week or month. I could possibly find out if I got a hold of a calendar. My 18th birthday is September 19th so I must be an adult now. If the world was still normal, I would be enjoying my senior year of high school, picking my future college, and looking forward to prom and graduation. I will never be able to live through these high school experiences but I am still happy to be alive. The Invincibles have been doing better at surviving. The search parties have found several stocks of food and supplies to last for our small community. The sun started shining again, and the air has sort of cleared up so it is safe to walk outside again. Hopefully, we can start growing food again. I never thought I would miss eating fresh vegetables. For now, we continue eating canned food and filtered water.
Winter 2024
Morning time
Winters in Minnesota were tough as it is but with this whole apocalypse on top of it all, it's even worse. The heating in our building hasn’t worked since we got here, the bombs made sure of that. We are forced to stay in close quarters and huddling up our collective body heat can help us to stay warm. Food is slowly running out because no one wants to walk around looking for food in the cold. Although, since the earth has heated up quite a bit due to climate change, the air isn’t as cold as it was prior to the end of the world. I suppose we could find a way to venture out into the ruins and attempt to find something edible. Sitting here, cuddled up next to the rest of the survivors, I continue to wonder what happened to my family. I miss them greatly. I hope they're okay if they did somehow survive. The family I made here is pretty great, we all take care of each other and help each other out. I don’t think I could have made it through my first month here if they weren’t here to protect me. I have learned a lot from the people here. I know all the stories of all the lives they lived before. I have also been learning a lot of first aid skills from the doctors and quite a few survival skills from the others. I kind of want to go test out my newfound skills and go out on the next food run. It would be dangerous but it is better than hanging around the hospital doing chores. I would much rather help search, it would keep me busy and keep my mind off of everything. But still, I wish everything could go back to how it was. I miss the life I used to live.
August 28th, 2023
Monday
Late night
We started getting dangerously low on food about a week ago and there are no animals to hunt or fertile soil for crops. To find food, search parties were formed by the adults to check buildings that were still standing, hoping to find some nonperishables. They would be gone for days on end, so to pass the time, Stacy and I would help with serving whatever leftover rations were left and hospital upkeep. We would wander around the hospital, admiring the operating rooms, the lobbies, the cafeteria, and the equipment, looking back on the times when these were used daily. Since our cell phones and computers are obsolete now, I’ve had a lot more free time to talk with others and take in more of my surroundings. I imagine the old world as I watch the barren landscape through the window. Our teacher and some other adults offered to continue our school lessons, but now more centered on survival. While this has been a good distraction from the state of our world, I still can’t help but think of my family and all of the other people in our lives that we haven’t seen in far too long.
Fall 2023
Midday
The days have blended together over time so I haven’t paid attention to the day of the week or month. I could possibly find out if I got a hold of a calendar. My 18th birthday is September 19th so I must be an adult now. If the world was still normal, I would be enjoying my senior year of high school, picking my future college, and looking forward to prom and graduation. I will never be able to live through these high school experiences but I am still happy to be alive. The Invincibles have been doing better at surviving. The search parties have found several stocks of food and supplies to last for our small community. The sun started shining again, and the air has sort of cleared up so it is safe to walk outside again. Hopefully, we can start growing food again. I never thought I would miss eating fresh vegetables. For now, we continue eating canned food and filtered water.
Winter 2024
Morning time
Winters in Minnesota were tough as it is but with this whole apocalypse on top of it all, it's even worse. The heating in our building hasn’t worked since we got here, the bombs made sure of that. We are forced to stay in close quarters and huddling up our collective body heat can help us to stay warm. Food is slowly running out because no one wants to walk around looking for food in the cold. Although, since the earth has heated up quite a bit due to climate change, the air isn’t as cold as it was prior to the end of the world. I suppose we could find a way to venture out into the ruins and attempt to find something edible. Sitting here, cuddled up next to the rest of the survivors, I continue to wonder what happened to my family. I miss them greatly. I hope they're okay if they did somehow survive. The family I made here is pretty great, we all take care of each other and help each other out. I don’t think I could have made it through my first month here if they weren’t here to protect me. I have learned a lot from the people here. I know all the stories of all the lives they lived before. I have also been learning a lot of first aid skills from the doctors and quite a few survival skills from the others. I kind of want to go test out my newfound skills and go out on the next food run. It would be dangerous but it is better than hanging around the hospital doing chores. I would much rather help search, it would keep me busy and keep my mind off of everything. But still, I wish everything could go back to how it was. I miss the life I used to live.
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