Our World

Our environment is changing as well as the planet’s climate. In fact, the planet’s climate problem is being fuelled by how fast our environment is worsening. Just like my last article, the definition for environmental change is as follows:

‘a change or disturbance of the environment most often caused by human influences’

What are some examples of environmental change caused by humans? You might’ve already heard of them:

• Deforestation - the cutting down of trees in forests and rainforests to make way for farming, housing or other uses of land

• Littering - when waste is dropped onto the streets instead of being put into a bin

• Lack of environmentally-friendly materials - when single-use plastic which isn’t biodegradable is used by retailers instead of being recycled (relating to the next point)

• Lack of recycling - when materials such as plastic and paper is thrown away instead of being recycled

These are only a few factors to our rapidly worsening environment. Some countries such as China and India are becoming overwhelmingly concerned as litter and waste is piling the streets, land and oceans, getting in the way of wildlife and marine life. As the climate crisis comes more and more into light, we now have to look at differences we can make as a society. Again, like in my last article, what could you do to do your part?:

• Refrain from buying plastic drinks and instead refilling a reusable water bottle

• If you do buy plastic drinks, make sure to recycle them rather than put them in the regular bin

• Donate to a charity taking part in reforestation

• Research how to recycle better and educate yourself to use less plastic products

Do you want to live in a world surrounded by rubbish and trash? Nobody has to be a ‘hippie’ to do their part in securing a clean future, so act now.