Many people do not realize just how much of an impact we have on our environment. The U.S. alone throws away roughly 1.5 billion pounds of trash each day. Millions of animals are affected by the decisions people make.
Earth Day, which is on April 22, is a day when everyone tries their best to help the planet rather than harm it. People are more conscious of the trash they throw away, and some even organize clean-ups. But what more can we do? Is one day enough to make a difference? Grace Werner, the AP Environmental Science teacher here at LHS, attempts to instill a well rounded understanding of the climate in her students.
“Some of the biggest issues we face due to human activities include climate change and the loss of biodiversity,” said Werner.
Climate change is something that everyone has heard about. It has increasingly become a problem, changing weather patterns and harming our ecosystems. Warmer winters and irregular weather, like snow in Florida, are all common consequences of climate change. The increase in CO2 released in our atmosphere is one of the leading causes of climate change. The current decrease in biodiversity is spreading across all species, plants and animals.
“Ecosystems are like a house of cards; everything is connected. If one species suffers, the entire food web will be affected,” said Werner.
What can we do? – Tips from Werner
- Plant native species
- Reduce carbon emissions through carpooling, biking, public transportation, etc.
- Shop local
- Increase sustainability by thrifting, decreasing over consumption, etc.
- Support measures concerning renewable energy in federal and state legislatures
“Earth Day is important because it reminds people to take action to protect our planet!” said Werner.
This Earth Day is a chance to make a difference. The more we sit around and continue to let our one and only planet deteriorate, the less time we will have on it. There is no “Planet B,” so protecting “Planet A” has to become a priority. No one else is going to ensure we have a future, so it is time to take action.
“As the next generation, you have the ability to make changes for our future as a planet. Don’t choose to be part of the problem; be part of the solution!” said Werner.
