There is hardly a sociopolitical struggle that rivals the protection of our planet Earth, the environment which fosters us, a dominant yet fragile species who have gained the ability to manipulate our planet to the point where sustaining abilities of the planet are diminishing.
In 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the United States contributed 30.3% of all greenhouse gases, as compared to our Canadian neighbor and Greenland put together, who contributed what is roughly the south’s share, 2.3% of greenhouse gases.
The entire continent of Europe contributed 27.7% of greenhouse gases, still less than the United States. Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, India and China, and Japan, make up 25.9% of all greenhouse gases, still 4.4% less than our country by itself.
It seems that the general lot of Americans are either lazy, ignorant, or exceptionally greedy. Of course, there are a select few that take the environment seriously, who understand its importance, but they aren’t the issue – it’s rather the many that fall short from understanding what allows them to live on this blue planet.
The person who willy-nilly throws a pop can into the garbage for convenience, having known that there are also recycle bins, is lazy and is perhaps sunken blue as to why there are recycle bins.
This also shows a lack of executive intention to secure the environment.
Perhaps it is rather that people don’t understand why there are recycle bins and why it is necessary to recycle.
For one, as the human population grows every year at a rather daunting rate, the amount of rubbish we produce also increases, multiplying the amount of landfills we must create.
Also, because many products have non-biodegradable packaging, producing so much garbage harms the environment and many animals that reside nearby.
Further, due to habitat destruction and deforestation, which are some of the main causes of global warming in accordance with the atmosphere, recycling reduces the need for excess material use.
Those who follow the advice of Gordon Gekko from the 1987 film Wall Street that “greed is good;” those who care more about what happens in their lives now without any regard for future generations; those who would rather make profit than allow their own planet to inexhaustibly exist with the ability to support life – are, if anything else, horsemen for more apocalyptic times.
As a species that resides and relies on its planet in order to survive, like taking care of a dog, we must find it our obligation to mind what we need or hold in our possession. If this world is ours, this environment our cradle for living– as with a dog that is poorly treated for a long period of time – we need to take care of it before it dies.
Although, it must be sorely realized that it is easier to fight for a cause than it is to live up to one. In the attempt to become more environmentally friendly, cultural changes will certainly take place. This, surely, will be difficult for people to live up to, certainly for Americans, who, compared to the majority of the world, live luxurious lives.
Changing global culture for the sake of the global environment is something that will take true effort. To only recycle, to only drive electric cars, to break away from oil – all this, as it seems now, is unrealistic. Whatever ensues in the future, following the actions we make now, can either be disastrous or profitable.
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