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Change for the Better
Climate change is a topic that has been an issue ever since the day we were all born. It is a pressing environmental issue that is very much needed to be addressed for the sake of our earth, our home, and for all of us individuals. The rate of climate change has been rapidly increasing around the globe ever since the 19th century, to the industrialization era, to the modern times and up to this very day, and all of these are occurring because of our creations, actions, and wrong doings. Due to the fact that almost everyone else has become so careless about the state of mother earth, we are now bombarded with so many negative effects. One of the most worrying and alarming causes of climate change today is the production of carbon emissions. This has been an on-going process, 24/7 affecting both the environment and all forms of life. To give you an informational background regarding carbon emissions, it is the release of carbon into the atmosphere that causes the trapping of radiation coming from the sun. Every time we burn fossil fuels such as gas coming from our cars, appliances, and homes, carbon dioxide is released. Actually, the sudden increase of carbon emissions have already tipped the balance in the exchange of gases that had caused climate change. Scientifically speaking, the temperature caused by heat trapping gases will increase, thus melting the polar ice caps in arctic regions. Due to the melting, it will also increase the water levels in oceans and seas, thus, increasing the possibility of flooding in urban areas. Many wetlands would also experience extreme drought. And as for us human beings, climate change results to heat strokes, malaria, cholera, and Lyme diseases, and the list goes on.
Another factor that affects climate change is the production of waste in our surroundings. In every factory or industry, new products are produced. Unfortunately, waste is also produced, and the amount is actually relatively higher than the production of the factory’s product itself. As for households, neighborhoods, and communities, it has been pretty evident that almost all of us waste energy. Computers and lights are always on, the hours that we commit watching the TV are endless, both the air conditioner and the electric fans are put on high speed, everything else consumes so much energy and we forget about the fact that it actually abuses our energy resources. Likewise, it seems like we’re all living in a consumerist lifestyle. Every time a new IPhone model releases every September, people would line-up to get a new phone, despite the fact that they’ve only gotten their “old” IPhones a year ago. People would be buying a ton of clothes, even though their closets wouldn’t close anymore. Whenever we go to malls, we tend to get a ton of plastic bags and paper bags, instead of bringing a lightweight eco-bag. We tend to buy numerous plastic bottles, instead of bringing our own water bottles. We use so much paper plates and cardboards in fast food chains, instead of bringing our own containers. In the school environment on the other hand, students and teachers waste so much paper for quizzes and test papers. Students print their researches and papers on a daily basis, and at the same time, it also uses energy.
Furthermore, more and more trees are cut every single day. It is because of the numerous infrastructures and buildings that are being constructed to build condominiums and malls. This issue is very evident, especially in Tagaytay since I’ve personally noticed myself that there were more buildings that were constructed and more trees were cut down. Because of this occurrence, it will lessen the production of oxygen, thus making the atmosphere stay contaminated due to air pollutants and also the emission of carbon dioxide.
Honestly speaking, this is only a few of the causes of climate change and there are probably a thousand more. Little do we know that all of these are happening because of the things that we consume, produce, eat and do. It saddens me to think that instead of promoting awareness, we tend to become more reckless and careless. Why are we becoming like this? Have we all forgotten that we are the stewards of God’s creation? Have we all forgotten that we are the only ones who are responsible for these problems and issues?
However, it’s not too late. Despite the fact that there are so many things happening around the world, there’s still time to change our ways for the common good of all.
There are organizations and centers that are promoting sustainable living in order to alleviate the issue of climate change, and one them is the Center of Ecozoic Living and Learning, also known as CELL. The elective, Advanced Environmental Education class went to Cavite last October 1, 2016, to visit CELL, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go since I had a fever. Nonetheless, I was really glad that the class experienced this one-of-a-kind opportunity. I also heard that they really enjoyed the trip since they all learned something about sustainable living and also, found new ways on how to make a healthy functioning environment for their own homes and communities. According to their website, the founders of CELL continue to create a largely self-sufficient Ecozoic farm comprising a home farm, working woodlands, productive gardens, and restful grounds. This center actually aspires and dreams to “propagate the New Story of Creation as a means of alerting the human to the current ecological and social crisis and awaken in them a vision that will give a direction for action at the present moment in history.” Personally, I am happy that there are still centers, organizations and groups that share the same advocacy as us.
Since I wasn’t able to go to the place, I researched the place itself and found out that they offer a lot of programs and projects. In the site, it was said that there are 5 zones and places. First is zone 0, it is the area for human activity and this covers the area where you can find the dining areas, sleeping quarters, office and souvenir shop. Second is zone 1, this is the vegetable area. This place is where organic farming is held. They also use chicken tractor to cultivate their soil. Their soil is also enhanced through chicken waste. Third is zone 2, this area is where animals are stored, namely chickens for their organic farming process. Fourth is zone 3, this is the area where fruit trees are located. These benefit from their biodigester water. Fifth is zone 4, this is the area where renewable materials are placed like timber trees. And lastly, zone 5, this is where snakes, monitor lizards, land lizards and a civet cat are located. It is also a sanctuary for birds that stay in the area for a stopover.
With these, I am confident that my school mates had earned some good-quality information and data. It had also inspired me to also live a life wherein sustainable environment practices are inherited and manifested
There are also numerous sustainable environment practices that I’ve researched, in order to alleviate the issue on climate change. There’s always more that you can do, but the most important thing is to do something! Baby steps are the answer to sustainable living! First is to pull the electrical plug. We all know that our main problem in our households is the electrical bill. However, there is still a solution to have a cheap electrical bill, and also, to save energy. Plug off everything that you don’t need, and also turn off the lights and appliances whenever you don’t use it. Second, use the 3 R’s, reduce, re-use and recycle. Recycling is never a chore when it’s easier than throwing something away. Place paper recycling bins, in convenient locations in classrooms and also in your rooms. Also use old materials to produce new materials for other uses. Third, you may use the bike, walk, or car pool to go to your desired destination. The less personal use of your car, the more you and the environment will benefit. Sustainable living not only promotes sustainability by reducing pollution and the consumption of natural resource; walking or biking to work will also improve your health and reduce the strain on public health resources.
Other sustainable environment practices may be:
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As stewards of God’s creation and also as part of the new generation, we are all entitled to be active participants in protecting our home. We all have the responsibility to take action against the bad habits and actions of people who are careless and reckless towards the environment. We are entitled to grow in harmony, instilled in our hearts and minds the ecological principles and sustainable environment practices. Our goal to be able to inspire and ignite the hearts of many, that they too, can do something for the welfare of the environment. We must be able to influence others to stop the bad habits and start living an eco-friendly lifestyle. However we still have to change the state of our generation since we still commit wrong actions that affect the state of the environment. We can still change our ways to create a just and sustainable future. We can do this by being aware of the issues regarding our suffering environment, promote the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle, stop the production of carbon emissions as much as possible, and lastly, being more aware on what we consume and produce.
