Why Protecting Nature Matters Every Day
People often think that protecting the environment means having to go out of your way to make large environmental movements or global events that are dedicated to saving our planet. Although these actions are important, taking care of our earth is not something that we should only be doing occasionally. If every person picked up a piece of trash that they encountered on their day to day, can you imagine how clean our earth would be? Caring for our nature is something that can be accomplished everyday. Doing these actions may seem small to one, but when many come together to make these choices, it creates meaningful change.
Believe it or not, nature is the source of all living things: clean air, fertile soil, and freshwater. The natural ecosystem is what allows humans, plants, and animals to survive as well as thrive. Oceans help to regulate temperatures globally, the forests help absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen for us, and natural flowing rivers provide us with water. If these natural systems are damaged due to pollution and other factors, the conditions can spread far beyond the environment and actually have an impact on the health of humans.
As most of you know one of the major environmental challenges that has been on going is pollution. Many people truly don’t know that plastic waste takes hundreds of years in order to break down. Bags, bottles, packaging, as well as other plastic items end up in lakes, oceans, and rivers. Many ocean animals mistake plastic for food or get trapped in the plastic which leads to injury or death for these beautiful ocean animals. This problem can be reduced by recycling properly, using the same water bottle, and using reusable bags. Another thing that I personally do is to make sure that when I buy drinks I cut the plastic rings that they come with, as this can cause the animals to get stuck and injured.
The loss of natural habitats is another issue that we have come across. As cities continue to expand it causes forests and other wildlife environments to be minimized, which causes animals to lose a space they live in. This leads to a decline in wildlife populations as well as disrupted ecosystems. We can help by planting trees and supporting conservation efforts and wildlife environments in order to help restore and protect some of these habitats. Even small actions can make a big difference. Planting flowers and taking care of our gardens can help support pollinators like bees, which are essential for growing fruits and vegetables.
Although college life is a lot already on its own, having proper education also plays an important role in helping protect the environment. When we understand how our actions can affect the planet, we are more likely to make responsible choices to help preserve it. Spreading this information to friends, coworkers, and others can help spread awareness about environmental issues and encourage sustainable habits.
When we all work together to care for the planet, the small efforts can add up and help protect the Earth for future generations.
