The planet is in a dangerous position. We’re using too many resources and polluting at an unsustainable rate. Our carelessness it is causing extreme weather, mass extinction, deforestation, desertification, dead zones in the ocean, melting ice caps and more. In short, we’re killing the planet. If we don’t address the problem soon, this beautiful planet will be lost forever.
We need to act years ago to save The Earth.
We’re Consuming Too Much, Too Fast
We are using too many resources and it is leading to the planet dying a death of a thousand wounds. We are polluting the Earth at an alarming rate, and it is having a devastating impact across the environment. We’re surrounded by useless crap made by child labor using materials extracted in irresponsible ways.
We’re Being Careless with Pollution
We need to act now to stop polluting the Earth. Microplastics are pervasive across the planet, most notably in oceans, home to the fish we eat. All the plastic crap we can’t live without gets buried or burnt or thrown in the ocean. We’re pretending that recycling works, but just a fraction of what we put in the bin ends up being recycled. We’re spewing more and more greenhouse gasses into the air.
Our Recklessness Is Staggering
Our bad behavior is causing so much damage. We could go on for days about the dying planet (and I’ll come back to our reckless behavior this as soon as I can), but briefly:
Mass extinction
The planet has lost or is losing the bulk of the species of animals and plants in existence. We’re causing a mass extinction and it’s estimated that we’re losing species at 100 to 1,000 times the natural rate.
Deforestation
We’re cutting down too many trees to quickly. It’s causing the loss of habitat for animals, the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, soil erosion, societal destabilization, widespread misery and so much more. Trees naturally remove carbon from the air, and as we lose them carbon builds up even faster. Deforestation is a huge problem we need to deal with.
Desertification
The world is becoming more desert-like every day. We’re losing valuable topsoil and it’s making it harder for plants to grow, a process called desertification. This is especially true in the Sahel region of Africa, where the effects of climate change are hitting hard. The United Nations estimates that by 2025, the Sahara Desert will be expanding at a rate of around 30 kilometers per year. We cannot begin to imagine the consequences that will have.
Coral Reefs Will be Dead Shortly
Quoting Charlie Veron, the former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science Sea Shepherd notes “There is no way out, no loopholes. The Great Barrier Reef will be over within 20 years or so.”
Dead Zones in the Ocean
There are areas in the ocean where the water is so polluted that there’s no oxygen and marine life can’t survive. These areas are known as Dead Zones. They’re created when there’s an overgrowth of algae. The algae is usually fed by nutrient pollution from things like sewage, animal manure, and chemical fertilizers.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
One of the most visible examples of humanity’s negative impact on the environment, The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a floating island of trash, mostly plastic, that has been accumulating for years in the Pacific Ocean. It’s estimated to be twice the size of Texas, and it’s growing every day.
Extreme Weather
Extreme weather is happening more often and it’s because of climate change. That means more hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, flash floods, wildfires and drought.
Even if you think climate change is a hoax by the global elites, are you that sure you’re willing to risk exacerbating so much destruction just so you won’t be slightly inconvenienced? You’re just that positive in your feelings that that its not even in the real of possibility human activity might be even slightly involved in the rise of extreme weather? (If you feel that way please get in touch because… I don’t know I have so many questions…)
Melting Ice Caps
The ice caps are melting at an alarming rate and it’s causing the sea levels to rise, potentially threatening the existence of coastal cities and communities. Not to mention the artic habitats.
Climate Change – Call It What You Want to Call It…
I think climate change is a reasonable term, but if you don’t think it’s happening, or you don’t think its caused by humans, you still can’t like all this stuff right? Can you still see we’re clearly killing the planet?
If you sit in a garage with your car running, eventually the CO2 kills you.
Is it unreasonable to think that all these cars, trucks, planes etc. emitting carbon into the air could be problematic? Are you so sure that you’re willing to take the chance?
I think the majority of the country understands this behavior is irresponsible. Maybe some don’t think it’s serious enough to change the way we consume oil? Maybe?
But like, nobody wants more carbon in the air just because, right?
The Less We Do the Faster the Planet Dies
We needed to act a decade ago. There’s plenty of blame for our dying planet to go around, starting with leaders in business, the media specifically, and politics. And with ourselves.
But we are where we are. It is what it is.
Climate change is a real thing and it’s happening
We need to take serious steps to reduce our impact on the environment. Its an all hands on deck situation. If we don’t take action now, the planet will be lost forever.
It’s a massive list but to heal the planet we need to reduce our consumption, recycle more, use less plastic, less electricity and gas, emit less carbon, plant more trees at scale. We need corporations involved in helping. We need to get past our petty differences and work together.
When it comes to helping the environment, it’s not just about using less, as vital as that is. It’s about using resources more efficiently and sustainably. Finding ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce, and recycle and reuse as much as possible. (By the way if you’re worried about China, giving them less of our money helps there).
We need to develop renewable energy sources in a sustainable fashion! The renewable manufacturing process can still harm the planet. The materials for renewable tech is still mined. As The Union of Concerned Scientists note “renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower also have environmental impacts, some of which are significant.”
Putting up solar panels is not gonna cut it. Most solar panels come from China… Do we know how they’re behaving? If we use electric vehicles, but we get our electricity from a power plant that burns coal… the impact is somewhat mitigated.
In short, we need to move to a circular economy.
We need to act now to save the planet. We’re consuming too much, too fast and we’re being careless with pollution. We need to find ways to reduce our impact on the environment and make sure we’re being responsible with the resources we have.
It might be too late to save the planet from dying but we have to try anyway.
I mean, what choice do we have?
What’s the alternative?
This is where I’d ask you to donate, but if you are as concerned about the environment as I am, there are better places to give your money.
Organizing environmental organizations is pretty high on the Less Bad roadmap, there are some on the building on what exists page that are worth checking out. And if you are involved with an environmental group I’d love to hear from you!
But for now Charity Navigator is a great place to find the best charities related to Environmental Protection and Conservation. Donate and get involved with them.
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