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I believe in preserving our environment, not only for ourselves, but for generations to come. For our children and grandchildren, and for all life on Earth. I believe in protecting the environment that animals thrive off of, not destroying it so mankind can make skyscrapers on land that holds a bountiful source of shelter and food and life for animals. I believe in protecting the land and water on the globe. It offers a beautiful view that leaves us in awe, but it also offers a source for plants and trees to grow and fill the Earth with air and life.

Many people care little about this topic, since they feel other things in life are more important: such as cell phones, cars, clothes, and social media. But without the environment being healthy and green and nourished (not exactly the way it is now) then there would be no life. Some of the things people care about most, harm the planet the most. For example, cars emit gases that flow to the ozone layer, which protects our planet from overheating. Our ozone layer is diminishing, so if we emit what is known as greenhouse gases at the rate we are at, then sooner or later your backyard will be your very own personal sauna.

The concept of global warming is said to be a myth by some people, but there is proof of the globe getting warmer each and every year. This change in temperature may over time result in higher sea levels, because of melting ice and glacier caps, and a change in brutality of storms and weather. This affects cities below sea level and also animals, like polar bears and seals and penguins, that live in the colder regions on ice, leaving them without a home and way to find food.

Earth’s land is being devastated day by day. Many of the world’s population cease to make a move involving the declining health of our planet. Instead of just sitting back in our reclining sofas while munching on junk food stored in plastic (which is also a never ending cycle in society’s landfills), there needs to be a change. I know I can just talk about it too because it’s easier said than done, but there are no excuses.

Just by recycling all of the blue and white bags your family collects each time you venture out to Food Lion, you’re contributing to keeping the planet clean, even if it is just a plastic bag. Did you know that the United States consumes enough water bottles yearly to wrap around Earth approximately 190 times? Around 85 percent of the plastic used worldwide is not recycled. By recycling plastic bottled drinks, you’re keeping the earth just a little bit cleaner. Next time instead of throwing your McDonald’s cheeseburger wrapper and filthy napkins out the car window, throw it in the recycled waste bin instead.

When people litter, they are not only harming the environment, but are also endangering animals. There is also roughly 5.25 trillion pieces of trash that float on the surface of the ocean. This affects aquatic life and presents danger to the animals and other marine life. Littering and using the Earth as a trash can only have negative outcomes. I know this is all stuff everybody has heard over and over again, but there would be no need to incessantly repeat it if people would listen the first time.

If the Earth was not so important then would it not have its own day, A.K.A. Earth Day, April 22? No, it wouldn’t. So do your part not only as a citizen, but as a concerned, caring, respectful human being and make an effort to enhance and protect our environment. You don’t have to be a vehement hippie, tree hugging, peace sign wearing, recycle fanatic, nature freak to show you care about Earth.