WHY WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT THE

ENVIRONMENT

1. CUZ IT’S THE only PLANET WE’VE GOT.

First of all, we live here. It’s our home! Unlike the other planets in

the solar system, it has been proven that Earth is the only one

that has exploded with life throughout all of its history.

Whether it be the single-celled organisms, the dinosaurs, or the human race, Mother Earth has been a home for all these years,

and provided everything needed to sustain life.

In addition, for all these years, humans have found so many small differences and excuses to divide each other. Whether these excuses be rich vs. poor, black vs. white, gay vs. straight, man vs. women, or one nation vs. another, it is undeniable that they have created war and hatred in the past.

However, the push to save the environment gives humans no reasons to divide each other or to hate each other or to create a war. We ALL live on this Earth together, and we are ALL responsible for saving it.

2. BECAUSE THERE ISN’T

ENOUGH SPACE FOR ALL OF OUR

WASTE.

When you throw something away, there is no such thing as “away”. That trash must go somewhere, whether that “somewhere” be the landfill, the litter in our communities, or dumped into the oceans. Just think about it. 7 billion people produces a l0t of waste. In 2013, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) estimated 254 MILLION TONS of waste produced just by Americans.

Nearly 75% of Earth’s surface area is water. The 25% of land consisting of mountains, forests, cities, towns, homes for 7 billion people, etc., already limits the space for our waste.

3. BECAUSE OF POLLUTION-land, water, & air

Land Pollution-

● Depositing waste in the soil contaminates groundwater & threatens public health!○ In the 1980s, the unsafe

deposit of toxic waste near the Love Canal in New York caused many health issues among the residents.

● The litter on our streets ends up in so many stomachs of dead animals.

● Plus, our Earth is full of beautiful scenery. STOP

LITTERING!!!!!!!!!!

Water Pollution

● Trash being dumped into the oceans leads to destroyed habitats for wildlife○ In February 2018, a sperm whale washed up on

the shores of Spain dead after swallowing a mouthful of plastic bags along with its krill.

● 40% of people on Earth do not have access to clean water

Air Pollution- In the recent years, with the EPA cutting down on regulations with businesses, & with more trees being cut down, our air isn’t getting cleaner. Air pollution has become a major issue in industrial countries like China and it poses a threat to public health. In addition, greenhouse gases being trapped in the atmosphere has our global temperatures rising. Not only does the melting of the ice caps lead to land being flooded, but wildlife, such as polar bears are losing their homes.

4. BECAUSE WE NEED TO CARE FOR WILDLIFE

There are millions of species of life on Earth, all of them being unique & beautiful. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, more

than 16,000 species are threatened with extinction due to destroyed habitats by human

actions, poachers, and pollution. Each species is vital

to the food chain, and each species makes Earth a little

more beautiful.

● In addition, according to the EPA, animal agriculture emits 38% more greenhouse emissions than the transportation system as a whole.

● 136 million acres of rainforests have been cleared for animal agriculture

● 55% of water consumption in the U.S. is from animal agriculture (while people around the rest of the world have no access to clean drinking water)

● Animal agriculture also contributes to world hunger b/c livestock consumes so much grains

5. BECAUSE OF DEFORESTATION

According to the World Wildlife Fund, forests cover 31% of land on Earth. However, with trees being cut down to make room for human activity, many species are losing their homes and becoming endangered or extinct.

In addition, we are losing our only source of oxygen and clean air for the Earth by cutting down trees. There will be no future generation if deforestation continues at the pace it is going right now. Trees don’t just grow back immediately; it takes a long time.

6.B/c future generations will appreciate it

Earth has been home to many and many

generations of humans, and it won’t

continue being a home unless

everyone contributes their part in saving the environment.

“BECAUSE UNLESS SOMEONE LIKE YOU CARES A

WHOLE AWFUL LOT, NOTHING IS GOING TO GET BETTER, IT'S

NOT.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

EVERY little bit counts. One person is not going to change anything. But, if everyone plays their

part, there will be great improvement.

1. Swap plastic bags for reusable ones!2. Swap plastic water bottles with

reusable ones &/or recycle plastic ones!

3. Use reusable containers4. Take shorter showers5. Pick up litter & put it in a trash can.6. Avoid styrofoam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7. Volunteer at community clean-ups.8. Change your light-bulbs to more energy-efficient ones9. Carpool, bike, or walk10. Try going vegetarian for a day per week, or even full-time.

11. Grow your own vegetables12. Plant some flowers or even a tree13. Unplug your devices when you’re not using them!14. Use both sides of your paper15. Do your research & donate to the right charities

16. Dry laundry on a clothesline17. Start a compost heap18. Try to limit your plastic usage19. Make your voice heard. Go to marches & support the right kind of legislation20. Spread the word on how to help the environment to the people around you

21. Do your research, and avoid buying from big companies that are not environment-friendly.

- companies that test out products on animals- release too much carbon emissions into the air- Dump waste in oceans- Have a reputation for oil spills

22. Join environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club in order to play a part in protecting the Earth!