Earth is a natural beauty that contains wonders that may never be fully understood by people, but nevertheless, should be respected. I have come to feel this way after my first trip to the beach. I was having a great time. As I was swimming, I saw something floating by and I thought, “Eww, what is that? Maybe a jellyfish?” It was a plastic bag. What a disappointment for the young me.
This memory has led me to question humankind. Why do people litter and pollute the world’s beauties? That one plastic bag had not harmed any living creature yet, but it had done its damage, to me. I was truly upset. I loved the ocean and everything in it. I was so hurt that other people did not respect it like I did. Even if they didn’t like it as much as I did, they didn’t have to hurt it.
What kind of situation will the world be in if we continue to act this way? Pollution is one part of the main problem affecting Earth. But what about a major one? The effects of global warming need to be addressed. People need to realize that this is a big problem that is quickly catching up to our actions; the effects of global warming are now part of our everyday lives.
Global warming is the result of the greenhouse effect caused by the emission of excess greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, that trap heat in our atmosphere. This excess, caused by humans, traps heat in our atmosphere, warming up the planet. This rise in temperature causes many problems for every living thing. The melting of the glaciers is one obvious effect of global warming but what about the coral bleaching and tropical diseases such as Dengue and Yellow Fever that are spreading throughout Central America?
After living in Panama for three years, I began to notice the effects of global warming. The climate is unstable, species are disappearing, and mangroves are dying.
Several things can be done. On the large scale, instead of using fossil fuels, nations should use renewable energy sources. Deforestation should be stopped and reforestation should take place. This helps to stabilize the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. On a more practical scale, everything starts at home, and here many things can be done. One can recycle, drive a fuel-efficient car, and not waste electricity. These actions all help reduce the air pollution that’s affecting our atmosphere.
What will happen if the people of the world do not get together to solve this problem? This isn’t something that can be solved easily. Everyone has to help each other to save the planet. I believe that this concern is one that can be dealt with. People need to look past themselves and see the big picture, the world holds the lives of many, and how one decides to act affects others around them. This mindset to save the environment and to spread the idea that every life is important can and will open the hearts and minds of others.
