OUR PLANET
Our Planet is in great danger. For
the last one hundred years or so, the people on the earth have wasted and
misused the natural resources of the earth several plans have been developed to
stop the abuse of earth environmental problems have become so complex, that
many individuals feel they can have no effect on them. Problems like oil
spills, hazardous waste, loss of rain forests, endangered species, acid rain,
depletion of the ozone layer and the municipal waste crisis can go out of our
control. All these problems require good and corporate action or government
intervention. However there are some things we as individuals can control. Our
waste reduction and recycling activities can make a difference.
There are some household items that
are dangerous if they are just thrown away with the regular garbage. These
items can damage the environment and injure plant and animal life. Some of
these include aerosol cans, spot removers, fluorescent light bulbs, shoe polish
etc.
A compost bin may be set in your
yard. Compost bins return plant and some food material to the soil, through
decomposition so it can be used as a natural soil addictive, called compost.
Compost improves soil texture, increase the ability of the soil to absorb
oxygen and water. Composite reduces the need to add chemicals to plants which
are harmful to the environment.
Keeping recycle bins in the kitchen
may also help to stop people from accidently throwing into the trash an item
that could have been recycled. Some recyclable items include glass and paper.
Once these bins are full of recyclable materials they can be given to your
local recycle centre.
Solar panels are a series of mirrors
that transform sunlight into solar energy. Solar energy can help heat water and
power home appliances. Solar energy is a great source of clean non-polluting
energy.
By taking school buses to school
instead of individual vehicles, students
can not only save fuel but also try to invest in electronic vehicles, which do not pollute. People should
make sure to keep maintenance up on their vehicles to prevent unnecessary
toxins from entering the environment.
The idea of landfill is a great one:
but it won’t work if people continue to believe it is a place for all trash. A
landfill is a deep big hole dug out of the earth to fill garbage. We need to
make sure we don’t put chemicals and non-biodegradable substance into these
landfills because they are harmful to plants and animals. They may also
contaminate our drinking water. A few of these chemicals include antifreeze,
insecticides, batteries and Styrofoam.
You can save natural resources by taking your old belongings that are no
longer needed to a second hand store or the salvation army. A second hand store is a place where people can
purchase donated items at a cheaper price. The salvation Army is like a second hand store but the items are free.
Most of the items found in these stores
are clothes. The benefit of such stores is that when people find what they need
at a cheaper rate fewer items are manufactured which means you are saving
natural resources.
We have been trying everything in our
power to conserve energy and natural resources. Many plans have been developed.
The problem with these plans is that most people believe that recycling is a waste
of time and thereby cannot make difference. However it is important that we
don’t quit. Everyone in every home should decide to do their part and help to
keep our air clean, or water unpolluted and our wild life safe. The earth is
our home and we need to protect it.
Written: ALRIA D’SOUZA
STD VIII B
