While scouring for debates through New York Times' "Room for Debates", I chanced upon a debate called Toilet Paper and Other Moral Choices. It's a debate talking about what choices Americas can make to help the environment for the better. Today there is a huge problem with the environment. The human population is growing, so we are destroying more and more ecosystems in order to build more homes and provide more resources for people. I see many problems wrong with how people are hurting the environment today. There are many ways humans are hurting the planet.
To being with, trash is a big problem in today's society. Trash dumps are increasing everyday as trash is being produced everyday, and the only place to dispose of it is on earth itself. One of the saddest things I've seen are animals dying from eating trash or stuck in them. It's horrible how badly we are harming animals and the places around us through our actions.
Gas emissions is another huge problem. In the past, humans breathed clean and fresh air. However, today the air is polluted with many chemicals and gases. This problem is caused by driving cars and working factories. It's bad because too much of the polluted air can affect living things and cause health problems.
There is are many problems that are currently harming the environment. On the other hand, there are also solutions to save it. We can recycle more to produce less trash, and use other forms of transportation such as walking and biking to reduce gas emissions. How do you feel about the harm humans have done to the environment? What actions do you think can be made to help the environment?
-Jirote Jiyacharoen
I wholeheartedly agree with your argument; it is saddening to see all of this happen to our environment, and as I read your post, I could not help but think about the future we may hold if this continues on. In addition, I believe a large contributor to the problem is the fact that the United States and other developed countries around the world are large consumers of goods, wasting products frequently just because it does not satisfy our needs and desires. This is detrimental and toxic for our environment! Not only that but many of the lesser developed countries strive to be just like ours and that includes copying the heavy consumer attitudes we hold.
ReplyDeleteAs for helping the environment, I do not believe that we are a lost cause; however, there will have to be a lot of work done and things must be changed if we want out future to look brighter. Furthermore, with the path we are currently leading, our future cannot be altered if only one person recycles or takes shorter showers, which are some of the examples of actions recommended to take when thinking of helping the environment. Rather, our society as a whole must contribute in order for things to change.
I was just for a hike and it was a beautiful site until I saw a hot cheeto bag on the ground. There was a pond that had trash with little fish swimming in it. It was so disgusting I couldn't believe what I was seeing. When I see trash on the street I pick it up because I hate how it makes the city look. Also, I see my dog eating things off the street and I have no idea if she will get sick or not. I once saw a squirrel holding a bag of chips trying to eat the bag; it was heartbreaking to see. I believe a way to save the plant earth is to limit driving; which is extremely hard but even just a little bit will help. To get outside more and to plant trees. You sould also do a beach cleaning with your friends.
ReplyDeleteIt’s heartbreaking to see all the pollution harming the animals and our planet. It sucks to hear about the discussions of our future and what will happen if we don’t solve these environmental problems. Everyday I see trash on the ground that can be taken care of in an instant. All the waste that people litter is harming the ecosystems around the world, and it needs to stop! Like what Lana said, our future has so much potential as we find ways to make our future brighter.
ReplyDeleteWe can take action by simply recycling and reduce the usages that we operate on a daily basis. That way we can save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change, and allow products to be used to their fullest extent. In order to get everyone on the same page, the nation should start programs, allowing communities to create events that will focus on reducing waste. We can shape our future if we support our planet.
Seeing the world slowly fill up with trash while our plants and animals have no choice but to deal with it is definitely disheartening. Sea life are being killed everyday because of our carelessness. Even worse is that the majority of people stand idly by as we contaminate our own planet. The real enemy is indifference. However, if everyone makes a contribution to the bettering of our planet, no matter how big or small, then we are giving ourselves a big chance for redemption.
ReplyDeleteOur environment is not asking too much from us, only that we at least help the planet a little bit everyday with tasks such as sorting our trash and our recycling to ensure we are not wasting any materials, or converting to the use of biodegradable products. Lindsey made a great suggestion of a beach cleanup which is a good way to start cleaning up our ocean.
I totally agree with your statement. I feel that technology plays a huge role in this too. Due to recent advancements in technology, infant mortality rates, or mortality rates in general have been decreasing. This causes a great fluctuation to the crude birth rate as populations skyrocket. An increase in population means excessive demands on natural resources and on agriculture. There needs to be enough food to sustain hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S, so farmers resort to the use of chemical fertilizers, insecticide, and pesticides which pollutes the environment.
ReplyDeleteBecause of all the chemicals used in our crops, soil is becoming contaminated, as well as groundwater and surface water. Fertilizer run-offs eventually find themselves to the sea and can cause many casualties to the existing aquatic wildlife. Take the Great Barrier Reef for example. Once undoubtedly the seven wonders of the world, is now ravaged by human impact and coastal development.