We need to start now to save the planetBy Jan Our planet is suffering. And it�s because of us. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people don�t put their waste in its proper refuse bin. At school, there are garbage cans, green bins, and recycling bins all in the same spot in the hall, yet many people just use the trash any completely ignore the others. Like, hello! They�re all right there and it takes no more effort to chuck a banana peel in the green bin than it does the trash! Some people do it on purpose. That really ticks me off. We have to start caring, realize the consequences that await if we do not clean up the environment now. Planet Earth is our home. The only one we have. Once it�s gone, so are we. Unfortunately for us, the Canadian government does not have a strong environmental policy; in fact its environmental policy is just downright pathetic for the size of the problem that is at hand. Doesn�t the government realize that they are killing the plant when they choose to ignore their commitment from the 1997 Kyoto conference, which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 6 percent below 1990 levels by 2010? Do they not care that we are currently 13 percent above 1990 levels, and are projected to be 27 percent above 1990 levels if we do not act now? What the government needs to do is invest in the Canadian-made fuel cell technology, and push the auto industry to manufacture these cars that run on hydrogen and oxygen. The only by-product of the fuel-cell car is water, unlike the carbon dioxide that gas-fuelled cars emit. The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is a big step towards the reduction of greenhouse gases in the environment. Greenhouse gases are a major cause of global warming and climate change. This is a big issue that needs to be properly addressed by world leaders. The recent talks between leaders of industrialized nations in The Hague and in Oslo have unfortunately not ended with resolutions to act on the 1997 Kyoto protocol. The European Union and the US and its umbrella group (which also includes Canada) are debating over whether carbon sinks, or areas such as large forests that eat up CO2 should be allowed to count as some of their commitments to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon sinks are no good, because they�re already there, and will not be making any more difference than they already are. Environmental issues will be the No. 1 ethical issue during the next decade. We need to do all we can now before it�s too late. If you can recycle it, do that, even if it takes more effort. If you can compost it, do it, even if it takes more effort. Every bit that we do will make a difference, and every bit more that everyone cares will result in a healthier planet. Environmental awareness is something that we need to be advocating much more, and the government needs to listen up. We can�t pretend that we�re going to be okay, because we�re not. Global Warming is happening now, and climate change will hurt our planet more than ever before. We are only speeding up that process by putting our own needs and conveniences above that of the earth and all its inhabitants. Not to mention all the other species that are becoming endangered because of the cutting of old growth forests and rain forests to accommodate new farmland that will only be fertile for a few years. Although many of these things are beyond our immediate control, there are plenty of things we can do to help the environment in our everyday lives. Look around and you will see that with a bit of extra effort, there�s nothing to it. It will become part of you daily routine. Things like turning off the lights and faucets, and turning down the heat when you�re not in the room are all simple tasks that help save the planet. Just like the kid walking down the hall who puts his banana peel in the wrong waste receptacle, we need to change. It�s not too late. We still have time to save the planet, but we need to start now. |
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