Protect our Wildlife and Environment (Article Runner Up)
Protecting the environment is one of today’s most serious issues. It is not a secret that our planet is in danger! Almost every day we hear about a new problem affecting the environment. This list seems to be endless! The main issues are pollution, acid rain, greenhouse effect, climate change, rainforest destruction, and the extinction of thousands of animal and plant species. We are all aware of these concerns and can admit that we caused them. Most people really care about the future of our planet and realize it is time to improve the situation; otherwise, the environmental issues will become worse, with each of us suffering the negative consequences. It all seems to be really depressing but each of us, no matter what our age group, can do something to slow down the destructive processes and reduce the potential harm. We have to learn to be environmentally friendly in using natural resources like water, air, forests, agriculture, and wildlife without damaging them. It is very important to preserve the natural resources we have today so that future generations can also use them. Here are some examples of the problems we face today and the possible solutions for addressing them.
The fact is people produce too much rubbish. Household waste increased by 16% from 1992 to 2008. Each year, we produce half a ton per person. The main part of the rubbish is either burned or taken to enormous landfill sites. We should admit that both ways are harmful for the environment. The better option when dealing with waste is reusing or recycling it, rather than trying to find where to put it! Today, we recycle only 35% of our household rubbish, although it is possible to recycle up to 80%! To help achieve this, follow these simple recommendations:
Sort your rubbish. Organic items like potato peeling, leftover food, and tea leaves can be transferred into a compost heap in the garden and used as a natural fertilizer for plants. Plastic bottles, juice cartons, and cardboard can be taken to a recycling bank.
Use recycled papers to help save trees. It has been estimated, that each person uses about 6 trees worth of paper yearly.
Avoid buying plastic since is difficult to recycle. Refuse to use plastic bags offered by supermarkets; instead, use long-lasting shopping bags or re-use the same plastic bags until they are worn out and then can be recycled.
Do not buy over-packaged goods – many items we purchase are enclosed in unnecessary bits of plastic and paper.
Another serious threat to the environment is pollution. The air we breathe is polluted in many ways. It affects the lives of everyone. Air is damaged by car fumes and power stations and factories that cause acid rains, which destroy forests and lakes. Besides that, oil spills often pollute seawater and kill marine life. All these factors lead to spreading disease and damaging people’s health in many countries.
