ENWR 105

Prof. Dylan Winchock

December 9, 2013

Our Beautiful World

In November 8, 2013, Super typhoon Haiyan, with its exceptionally powerful 195 mph
winds, unleashed its terror and devastated central Philippines. This natural disaster claimed more
than 5,200 lives in the country alone, with more unconfirmed individuals that are still missing.
Tacloban, the city that was hit the hardest, was leveled by the storm and resulted in 100%
damage which means no building was left intact. This super typhoon is considered the strongest
one in history, surpassing the old record of a storm in 1969 with a record of 190 mph winds. This
typhoon, after leaving a catastrophic aftermath that affected 12 million people, became important
in addressing an issue that has long been procrastinated upon. What exactly is happening to our
environment, and what causes these changes? How is it possible that after thousands of years, we
start experiencing these disasters that are beyond our control? It is essential to know that we live
in a fragile world and it is obvious that change in the environment is an imminent threat. Lack of
awareness of what is happening to our environment is not only costly, but can directly affect the
future of the human race.
The world we live in is known as Earth and it was formed more than 4 billion years ago.
It took a few more billion years for life to be possible in this delicate planet. This being said, it is
important to know that the most essential ingredient to the formation of Earth and our
environment is something that is very costly and up to now, might even be unaffordable. Time is
gold, and it is the most critical factor that greatly affects the changes in our environment. In

Rachel Carsons article titled The Obligation to Endure, she said, It took hundreds of years to
produce the life that now inhabits the earth- eons of time in which that developing and evolving
and diversifying life reached a state of balance with its surroundings (Carson 447). Like what
was mentioned, it is a known fact that it took years for the Earth to be where it is now. Unnatural
changes to our environment due to man-made creations over short periods of time will have a
negative impact on the surroundings because of the imbalances that are being created. Carbon
dioxide levels skyrocketed in a span of a century, sea levels are rising due to icebergs melting,
and the globe is constantly warming. Do we have to wait until it is too late before we start caring
about our environment? If we want to make a difference, the first step towards change is to
address the situation and to know that we are being abusive of our own biosphere.
Exploitation of our natural resources to fulfill our present-day needs is whats hurting our
environment. We are the children of the modern era, and as our Mother Earth loses its own time,
we also feel like we do not have enough. Modern-day technology allowed production of goods at
an incredible rate and with this comes the production of waste. The unfortunate reality regarding
this matter is that nature has a trouble keeping up with our demands. Carson talked about
chemicals as the synthetic creations of mans inventive mind, brewed in laboratories, and
having no counterparts in nature. To adjust to these chemicals would require time on the scale
that is natures (447). It takes decades to grow a big, sturdy tree- which is by the way essential
for us human beings so we can breathe; and only seconds to chop one down to the ground. Our
actions and our man-made creations greatly affect the world we are living in. Consuming the
resources that are beyond our means and not paying attention to the effects of our actions will
greatly affect the future of not just our race but also everything around us.

We are not the only inhabitants of this planet. When we destruct the environment, we also
damage the homes and affect the lives of all living things. It is important for people to
understand that we as human beings cannot survive on our own without all the nature around us.
Being aware of our actions applies not only on the individual being, but also on a global scale.
Jamie Rappaport Clark said in her testimony before the senate regarding global warming and
wildlife protection, we are already in the midst of what Harvard Professor Edward O. Wilson
and others have referred to as the sixth great mass extinction crisis in the history of the planet.
However, unlike previous extinction events, this is one due entirely to human activity, principally
habitat destruction, pollution, and overexploitation of wildlife. Moreover, in each of the previous
mass extinctions, it took more than 10 million years for new species to evolve to replenish the
biodiversity that we lost (48). Again, this strongly agrees with what Carson mentioned that time
is critical to our environment because it is whats needed to replace what is taken away. But most
importantly, Clark states that the possibility of a man-made mass extinction due to the
destruction of our environment is very selfish and disturbing. The human race is very fortunate to
have developed a brain we can use to perceive things the way we do; but it is disheartening to
know that we are also responsible for destroying the habitats of the thousands of other species we
share this world with. To be responsible citizens means having to fulfill our obligations to our
environment.
Awareness is the first step to carry out if we want to make a significant change to our
world. Spreading awareness and making the issues known is a way of showing that we really
care because it is a way of educating people. Even so, information regarding global warming,
climate change and what is happening to the surrounding is simply not enough to solve this
problem. There is still work that needs to be done and we are all expected to participate if we

really want to make a difference. According to the writers of the article Personal Efficacy, the
Information Environment and Attitudes Toward Global Warming and Climate Change in the
United States, more informed respondents both feel less personally responsible for global
warming, and also show less concern when it comes to the situation (Kellstedt, Zahran, and
Vedlitz 113). One would think that those who are informed regarding the matter in question
would be more active in making a difference but studies about environmental awareness show
otherwise.
Awareness, even though provides knowledge, does not automatically mean it is the
solution. It only provides enough information to give an individual the choice to reinforce
participation in helping the environment. When the research was conducted, the authors said,
For despite the overwhelming scientific consensus that global warming and climate change are
real phenomena that create risks for the earths future, among the mass public, the more
confidence an individual has in scientists, the less responsible he or she tends to feel for global
warming, and the less concerned he or she is about the problem (Kellstedt, Zahran, and Vedlitz
123). This line clearly states that awareness simply is not enough to make and individual act
upon the matter. In fact, the effects of this behavior are leaning towards the more negative side
where the mass public is depending on scientists and researchers to solve this global dilemma. It
is important to understand that environmental awareness alone will not solve the problem and
that the scientists and researches are not the only ones obligated to fix the problem. We are also
expected to help out and there are so many ways to provide aid in our own simple actions.
Organizations all across the globe come together to address this issue. Conservation
International is one of the many with a team of researchers, explorers and leaders that are very
passionate in pursuing their dream of making our world sustainable to live in for the years to

come. We can contribute to the betterment of our world through participation in their Pledge to
Protect the Planet that Provides. By simply pledging, an individual can be part of the thousands
that create a strong foundation to show support in the conservation of the environment.
According to Conservation International, an estimated 14 billion pounds of plastic trash end up
in our oceans every year. The organization also says that when forests are burned to the ground,
huge quantities of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, are released to the atmosphere and causes
climate change. Conservation International addresses these issues by encouraging everybody to
participate by donating to their projects that provide protection for the forests and ocean cleanup.
And just like the saying prevention is better than cure, it is more reasonable and easier to avoid
dilemmas rather than fixing damages.
Participating through monetary donations and awareness are not the only things a person
can do to help save the environment. Implementing earth-friendly ways into everyday activities
can have a huge positive effect on the surroundings that can help prevent any future destruction
and damages. Conserving water and energy by only using electronics when necessary, recycling,
carpooling and not wasting food are just some of ways that can contribute to a happier
environment and that are easy to participate in.
An organization called Natural Resources Defense Council provides a list of solutions
found on their website that can help prevent global warming and climate change. According to
N.R.D.C., raising the peoples voice to address the environmental issues to the government is the
key step in fighting global warming. Choosing renewable energy by picking an energy supplier
that generates at least half of its power from wind, solar energy and clean sources is also one of
the solutions provided by the organization. Simple things such as choosing an efficient vehicle
such as hybrids, buying energy-efficient appliances and replacing light bulbs with compact

fluorescent bulbs are also some of the many suggestions for a greener way of living provided by
N.R.D.C. When we start with ourselves and set a good example to the people around us, it is
possible to have a sustainable world to live in. Not just for us, but for the rest of the world.
Our world is constantly changing at a pace that our future cannot afford, especially when
important circumstances like environmental issues are disregarded. Pretending like there is
nothing wrong has been proven to be catastrophic. Carbon pollution is the main reason for global
warming and these changes to our ecosystem are the only explanation for the droughts, flooding
and natural calamities happening all over the globe. Ignoring these will lead us to our own
destruction, and we will be dragging all the other living things down with us. The countless
environmental organizations have information to help spread awareness regarding the situation
of our surroundings and solutions how we can help make our world a better place are provided
everywhere. The resources are there to be used based on our knowledge, but the fate of this
beautiful world we live in relies on each and every individual who decides to act wisely upon the
pleas of our beloved Mother Nature. Now is the time to stop procrastinating on climate and
environmental actions, and to work towards a better, greener and healthier future for the people
and the environment we thrive in.

Works Cited
Carson, Rachel. The Obligation to Endure. The New World Reader. 2nd Edition. Gilbert
Muller. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008. 445-451.
Clark, Jamie Rappaport. Hearing on Global Warming and Wildlife Protection. Hearing
Before the Subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and
Wildlife. 7 February 2007.
Kellstedt, P. M., Zahran, S. and Vedlitz, A. Personal Efficacy, the Information
Environment, and Attitudes Toward Global Warming and Climate Change in the United States.
Risk Analysis, 28. February 2008. 113126.
"Global Warming." Facts, Causes and Effects of Climate Change. National Resources
Defense Council. Web. 09 Dec. 2013.
"Make a Difference - Conservation International." Make a Difference - Conservation
International. Conservation International. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.