Should we be concerned about the environment?

For my first post on this blog, I wanted to talk a little bit about why we as humans should be concerned with how much our actions affect nature and the surrounding environment in which we live. While most people are generally concerned about the effects our actions are having on the planet, few choose to really participate in creating changes that could benefit not only their local environment, but the environment as a whole.
A huge issue is dealing with our excess waste. The mantra—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—was implemented in an effort to reduce how much waste we were producing. Simply throwing away (literal) tons of trash into landfills is causing extreme environmental hazards. “According to the EPA, the methane produced by the rotting organic matter in unmanaged landfills is 20 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat from the sun. Not only does methane get produced by the various forms of rotting organic matter that find their way into landfills, but household cleaning chemicals often make their way here as well. The mixture of chemicals like bleach and ammonia in landfills can produce toxic gases that can significantly impact the quality of air in the vicinity of the landfill.” (greenliving.lovetoknow.com) “Landfills also create a toxic soup of industrial and home-cleaning chemicals. People throw away everything from industrial solvents to household cleaners in landfills, and these chemicals accumulate and mix over time. A more immediate concern is for the welfare of the wildlife that comes into contact with these chemicals, and it is not uncommon for animals to suffer inconceivably painful deaths resulting from chemical contamination.” (greenliving.lovetoknow.com)

While landfills are a harmful solution to getting rid of waste, they are not the only environmental problem that people need to consider; the rapid depletion of natural resources is major cause for concern. “According to the latest information, it could be that half of the total plant production and most of the animals worldwide contribute to the wellbeing of just one species - mankind. The exploitation of nature's resources occurs when we consume more than can be replaced naturally. For example this happens when we cut trees down and do not replace those we have felled. Each time that more trees are felled than can be replaced naturally, it causes the forest to gradually disappear and with it, all of the species dependent on this habitat for survival. Currently the rate of tree-felling is 10 times quicker than the rate of natural reforestation. The exploitation of the sea also belongs in this category. More than 70 percent of the fish we consume are over-farmed. The trawlers have become so efficient that very few fish remain behind as the nets collect the day's catch.” (naturefund.de)

For many people, out of sight means out of mind. There are many people that are aware that environmental issues do exist, but because they do directly effect a majority of the world’s population, we are left with environmental problems still at hand. While you may be thinking how awful the current state of the environment is, you may also be thinking that there isn’t much that you can do about it. The reality is that all you need is any one person to start the change which has the potential to become a (possibly global) chain reaction. It’s easier to start at the local level. If you see any trash lying on the ground or sidewalk on your way to work or class, all you have to do is pick it up and either recycle or throw it away. This small act could possibly save an animal from trying to ingest it and it end up choking and suffocating to death—bleak example, I know.  Another effective way to create change is by education. Letting people know about issues that could potentially have an effect on their own backyards and local areas gets people interested. All great movements started from one single action by one person, and these actions continued to grow, person by person, city by city, state by state. The most important thing is to simply start. Could you imagine the change that could happen in the world if every one person made small efforts in their own communities? A healthier global environment is something we need to strive for, and what better time to start making changes than right now? Go on out into the world and make your changes, slowly but surely, and who knows what could come of it?