2008 Woodie Awards
Earth Day is reminder that human behavior must change
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
We are destroying the planet. Each and every one of us is responsible for our actions and behaviors that have led to pollution, global warming and destruction of nature.
On Earth Day April 20, booths and nature enthusiasts crowded the entrance and lawn in front of the Muny in Forest Park. Booth-workers and attendees advocated everything from organic foods to recycling and animal rights, but one message came out loud and clear: there's so much humans can do to improve the state of our environment.
Earth Day was a reminder that everyone in the Webster community needs to renew their commitment to the planet. Whether it means starting a recycling program in their household and workplace or intensifying the program they already have, everyone can do something. Whether it's learning to conserve water by taking shorter showers or creating a compost pile in the backyard for food and yard waste, everyone has the potential to change the environment by changing their behavior.
Conservation must become a way of life for the majority of the planet if humanity wants to save the environment and itself.
The United States created more than 245 million tons of trash in 2005 - that's 4.5 pounds of trash per person per day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In our consumer society, waste has become a way of life. Fortunately, for some, so has recycling.
In 2005, recycling prevented 79 million tons of material from being disposed of, according to the EPA. Imagine how much more trash could be reduced if everyone recycled in their homes. Products that can be recycled include aluminum, paper products, glass and plastics.
The United States is also the No. 1 contributor to carbon emissions, a main cause of global warming. The U.S. caused approximately 6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2003, according to the United Nations.
Unless the United States starts to take global warming seriously, and citizens make conscious decisions to make their lifestyles more planet-friendly, we will wipe out life on earth.
The Webster community can decrease the amount of gas they use, thus decreasing the amount of carbon emissions they introduce into the atmosphere in various ways. Instead of driving everywhere, other viable options include biking or walking, combining short car trips, carpooling and taking the Metrolink.
It is important to get out messages about being nature conscious more than once per year. At the risk of sounding cheesy, when it comes to the environment, average people can make a real difference. Many small, conscious decisions will lead to one big solution and a much healthier world.
On Earth Day April 20, booths and nature enthusiasts crowded the entrance and lawn in front of the Muny in Forest Park. Booth-workers and attendees advocated everything from organic foods to recycling and animal rights, but one message came out loud and clear: there's so much humans can do to improve the state of our environment.
Earth Day was a reminder that everyone in the Webster community needs to renew their commitment to the planet. Whether it means starting a recycling program in their household and workplace or intensifying the program they already have, everyone can do something. Whether it's learning to conserve water by taking shorter showers or creating a compost pile in the backyard for food and yard waste, everyone has the potential to change the environment by changing their behavior.
Conservation must become a way of life for the majority of the planet if humanity wants to save the environment and itself.
The United States created more than 245 million tons of trash in 2005 - that's 4.5 pounds of trash per person per day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In our consumer society, waste has become a way of life. Fortunately, for some, so has recycling.
In 2005, recycling prevented 79 million tons of material from being disposed of, according to the EPA. Imagine how much more trash could be reduced if everyone recycled in their homes. Products that can be recycled include aluminum, paper products, glass and plastics.
The United States is also the No. 1 contributor to carbon emissions, a main cause of global warming. The U.S. caused approximately 6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2003, according to the United Nations.
Unless the United States starts to take global warming seriously, and citizens make conscious decisions to make their lifestyles more planet-friendly, we will wipe out life on earth.
The Webster community can decrease the amount of gas they use, thus decreasing the amount of carbon emissions they introduce into the atmosphere in various ways. Instead of driving everywhere, other viable options include biking or walking, combining short car trips, carpooling and taking the Metrolink.
It is important to get out messages about being nature conscious more than once per year. At the risk of sounding cheesy, when it comes to the environment, average people can make a real difference. Many small, conscious decisions will lead to one big solution and a much healthier world.
Be the first to comment on this story