Editorial: Taking Care of Our Planet
By Sarah Happel
As a high school student, I should be focusing on academics, but instead, climate change is on my mind.
This crisis could end in permanent damage to our planet, and my generation is the one that will have to deal with the consequences. The ice is melting, sea levels are rising, and some animal populations are rapidly decreasing. We need to do more to take care of our planet, not only for us, but for our home as well.
In a survey conducted by Pew Research Center of adults in the United States, it was found that about six out of every ten people’s communities are affected by climate change. Earth is nearing its tipping point, and I’m worried that most people won't be willing to reverse the damage done to the planet until it’s too late. Not only am I scared for my own well-being, I am scared on behalf of my entire generation and generations to come.
“We are getting close to the point of no return,” Scarlett Slick, a Lincoln High School freshman said.
Alara Lane, an eighth grader attending Catlin Gabel School, is afraid for our future as well. “At this point we are hanging off a cliff,” Lane said. “People are seeing stats regarding climate change and are letting fingers go, slowly giving up.”
According to NASA, “carbon dioxide levels in the air are at their highest in 650,000 years.” While the situation may seem hopeless, there are still things we can do. “Buy reusable straws, recycle, don’t litter, use less plastic, use bamboo toothbrushes, use paper bags, get a reusable water bottle, [and] compost,” Slick suggested. “Doing these things can create less waste and will help make our world a cleaner place.” Lane has a different approach - protesting to raise awareness. “By targeting a company directly we have a higher chance of making an impact.” Lane said.
However, shifting our habits to save our planet may be inconvenient. People aren’t always open to changes such as eating less meat or taking public transportation. Unfortunately, being inconvenienced is nothing compared to the harm we are inflicting upon the earth. If everyone contributed, it would make a significant impact and we need to put in an effort if we want our planet to continue to thrive.
Climate change is not a hoax, it’s reality, and there’s no denying it. “There are many theories as to what will happen,” Slick said. “The simple fact is that we are going extinct.”
As a high school student, I should be focusing on academics, but instead, climate change is on my mind.
This crisis could end in permanent damage to our planet, and my generation is the one that will have to deal with the consequences. The ice is melting, sea levels are rising, and some animal populations are rapidly decreasing. We need to do more to take care of our planet, not only for us, but for our home as well.
In a survey conducted by Pew Research Center of adults in the United States, it was found that about six out of every ten people’s communities are affected by climate change. Earth is nearing its tipping point, and I’m worried that most people won't be willing to reverse the damage done to the planet until it’s too late. Not only am I scared for my own well-being, I am scared on behalf of my entire generation and generations to come.
“We are getting close to the point of no return,” Scarlett Slick, a Lincoln High School freshman said.
Alara Lane, an eighth grader attending Catlin Gabel School, is afraid for our future as well. “At this point we are hanging off a cliff,” Lane said. “People are seeing stats regarding climate change and are letting fingers go, slowly giving up.”
According to NASA, “carbon dioxide levels in the air are at their highest in 650,000 years.” While the situation may seem hopeless, there are still things we can do. “Buy reusable straws, recycle, don’t litter, use less plastic, use bamboo toothbrushes, use paper bags, get a reusable water bottle, [and] compost,” Slick suggested. “Doing these things can create less waste and will help make our world a cleaner place.” Lane has a different approach - protesting to raise awareness. “By targeting a company directly we have a higher chance of making an impact.” Lane said.
However, shifting our habits to save our planet may be inconvenient. People aren’t always open to changes such as eating less meat or taking public transportation. Unfortunately, being inconvenienced is nothing compared to the harm we are inflicting upon the earth. If everyone contributed, it would make a significant impact and we need to put in an effort if we want our planet to continue to thrive.
Climate change is not a hoax, it’s reality, and there’s no denying it. “There are many theories as to what will happen,” Slick said. “The simple fact is that we are going extinct.”
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| Mountains in Alaska by Sarah Happel |
I really liked your introduction
ReplyDeleteStrong writing and clear insight into the issue! I think it would be great if you included more of Lane's perspective and the impact that both ways can have.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you bring awareness to an issue you care about in this piece. You support the piece with evidence including multiple interviews and information from reliable sources.
ReplyDeleteYou have a clear idea and support everything you said with facts.
ReplyDelete