badly needs help

It is with deep consternation to learn that the earth, ironically, has been housing and nourishing, for hundreds of years, a creature that does more harm than good. It is a creature that threatens not only its own extinction but, worse, the destruction of earth itself. It is even more alarming to learn that it is us.

Man’s activity coupled with his negligence has brought himself (and the earth) into the brink of foreboding and irreversible danger. His selfish deed, especially those that brings comfort to him, overlooks the welfare of other living organisms. Today, it has brought issues that are of global concerns, such as air and water pollution, and even triggering the now apparent climate change, as well as other significant environmental changes. Among these major concerns are the ozone depletion and the supposedly valuable Greenhouse effect.

Those matters were largely an effect of the industrialization of the countries that were equipped for advancement and “development”. However, setting and meeting their goals of “development” have reached the extremes. Man has developed chemicals and compounds that are indeed beneficial to him but brings menace to the environment. He has made the chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs) where the chlorine (its by-product) attacks and causes the depletion of the ozone (a layer in the atmosphere that reflects harmful ultraviolet light). Consequently, man had also invented vehicles and machines that make use of fuels and other non-renewable energies that emit large amount of gases. These gases “clog” at the atmosphere, escalating the Greenhouse effect or the trapping of absorbed heat from the sun.

Obviously, ozone depletion was one of the adverse consequences of man’s oblivious deeds. With it, he is now held liable of his actions. He is now facing the threats posed by the depleted ozone layer such as the intrusion of harmful ultraviolet light (especially UV-B). As a result, UV light may suppress man’s immune system, increasing his susceptibility to diseases. It may also cause him blindness and make food production suffer.

Moreover, the Greenhouse effect is an issue that should be resolved as well. The Greenhouse effect is a natural process wherein radiant energy enters the earth and the resulting heat is trapped by a layer of gases (termed as Greenhouse gases, which is composed mainly of carbon dioxide, methane, etc.). It is with this trapping mechanism that life was made possible, for without it the earth will be too cold to support life. But as of man’s interference, as a result of air pollution, more carbon dioxides and other greenhouse gases are expended into the atmosphere, trapping more heat. This extra heat causes ocean expansion and the melting of ice in the Polar Regions, resulting to an increase in seawater level; chaos in agriculture and fisheries; and ultimately, the climate change.

These seemingly horrible things could have been avoided had man been careful and sensitive of his actions. It may be a cliché, but, still “prevention is better than cure”. Given the situation, man has nothing to do but exert extra efforts for preventing further destruction and spoilage of our resources. Better yet, he must find ways to actually reverse the result of his actions. Initially, he can start with small things (in any way, great things start with small beginnings). He must promote the use of fuel-efficient vehicles and the use of PUVs instead of private transport; ban the use of CFCs; stop illegal logging and deforestation; use renewable energies; and the conduct of growing of trees activity. Also, he must not debate between saving the environment and progressing towards development. Instead, he must gear towards sustainable development. Further, he must disseminate information regarding the adverse effects and the possible solutions to the problems at hand, penalize some if not all “environment offenders”. And finally, work as well as live in harmony with nature.