Our Consumption Will Consume The Human Race | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Our Consumption Will Consume The Human Race

Will we consume until the earth is nothing but toxic fumes?

32
Our Consumption Will Consume The Human Race
Pexels

Environmental issues are everywhere we turn, but did you know that there's a mass of trash two times the size of America floating in our oceans? Don't believe me? Research "trash vortex" and you'll find all kinds of analysis pertaining to this big blob of scum, dirty diapers, cigarettes, used products, plastic pieces, etc. floating in the "gorgeous" waters in which we and many other creatures swim.

Not only is this mass killing many animals, but it is also occasionally carried up onto land and beaches, resulting in a devastation of beaches covered in a blanket layer of waste. This waste is not only unattractive, but also physically toxic for any living thing. The chemicals it radiates can cause cancer in humans, infect the water system and cause people to become very ill from drinking water or even breathing in air around it.


Why don't we go out and clean it? Why don't we bring boats out and carry it out in bags? Where does it go after you do that? What else will this waste pollute?

People could go out and remove trash from the mass, and many have tried to. But it's so large that it would take a huge effort by many people to make a difference. That is our problem: people just don't care. If it doesn't immediately affect them, most people don't care to notice. What if this waste piled up after years could flood the world in trash? What if I told you that if people keep consuming, human populations keep increasing and less environmental regulations are being enforced -- you, your kids, and your grandkids could be in huge danger. We already are in danger. Pollution is everywhere.

In South Carolina, there is a bridge nicknamed "the stinky bridge." Ever smelt it? The air reeks of sulfur and horrible poisonous gas from miles away and doesn't leave your nostrils until your far from it. It's positioned on a marsh, and all the water around it is toxic. There are no signs of life around this factory -- not a house nearby -- just an old, brown bridge that allows people to drive over the devastation and be done with it after 10 minutes. This is what they want. The sky is always gray when you go over the bridge and you feel awful for those 10 minutes you drive past, but that's it. They even try to put recycling signs up near the factory and pretend like putting a green logo in front of their robotic smoke stacks will fool people.

Did you know that on the east coast the air condition is ranked as unhealthy, and our rain is usually acidic? This can cause cancer, death, lung poisoning and more. This is already happening in China, where they have to wear masks to go anywhere outside. Even this mask might veil the truth. A thin mask does not seem like it would protect you from the hazardous air all around.

Do we want this to happen everywhere? Will the President of the United States take notice? Instead, money is being poured into oil factories (even though our natural oil reserves are quickly being depleted). Our focus now is keeping the U.S.A. a dominant power over all, consuming as much as possible and pushing down developing countries. While we are competing, others are trying to reach us, too, causing developing countries to expand and consume more. If everyone started to consume as much as Americans do we would need four planet earths to sustain us. If we continue like this, we won't solve any of these obvious problems and the human race could exterminate themselves.

A trash vortex in the middle of our ocean, flooding, air pollution, wearing masks and climate change are all real long term issues much more important than the issues our government currently focuses on.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl with a hat

This is for the girls who have dealt with an emotionally, mentally, physically or verbally abusive father.

The ones who have grown up with a false lens of what love is and how relationships should be. The ones who have cried themselves to sleep wondering why he hurts you and your family so much. This is for all the girls who fall in love with broken boys that carry baggage bigger than their own, thinking it's their job to heal them because you watched your mother do the same.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf Quote
"DESTINY IS FOR LOSERS. IT'S JUST A STUPID EXCUSE TO WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM HAPPEN." - BLAIR WALDORF.

The world stopped in 2012 when our beloved show "Gossip Girl" ended. For six straight years, we would all tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. to see Upper Eastside royalty in the form of a Burberry headband clad Blair Waldorf. Blair was the big sister that we all loved to hate. How could we ever forget the epic showdowns between her and her frenemy Serena Van Der Woodsen? Or the time she banished Georgina Sparks to a Christian summer camp? How about that time when she and her girls took down Bart Bass? Blair is life. She's taught us how to dress, how to be ambitious, and most importantly, how to throw the perfect shade.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Moments Every College Freshman Has Experienced

Because we made it, and because high school seniors deserve to know what they're getting themselves into

111
too tired to care

We've all been there. From move-in day to the first finals week in college, your first term is an adventure from start to finish. In honor of college decisions coming out recently, I want to recap some of the most common experiences college freshmen experience.

1. The awkward hellos on move-in day.

You're moving your stuff onto your floor, and you will encounter people you don't know yet in the hallway. They live on your floor, so you'll awkwardly smile and maybe introduce yourself. As you walk away, you will wonder if they will ever speak to you again, but don't worry, there's a good chance that you will make some great friends on your floor!

Keep Reading...Show less
laptop
Unsplash

The college years are a time for personal growth and success. Everyone comes in with expectations about how their life is supposed to turn out and envision the future. We all freak out when things don't go exactly as planned or when our expectations are unmet. As time goes on, we realize that the uncertainty of college is what makes it great. Here are some helpful reminders about life in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
students
rowanuniversitypublications / Flickr

1. "If I'm wearing black tomorrow, it's because I'm mourning my grade."

2. "Do you want to try ordering Chinese takeout to take back to the stacks?"

3. "This final paper has me questioning if this professor just sucks or is Satan himself."

4. "Is that person over there OK? They've been sleeping for a while."

5. "Why are you online shopping?"

"I want to motivate myself to study."

"Since when do you have money to buy something anyway?"

6. "I wonder how much I could make as a stripper."

7. "There are no stress relief dogs, and I feel conned. My stress today is worse than yesterday."

8. "Rate My Professor screwed me over."

9. "I wore these clothes yesterday, and maybe even the day before, but it's fine."

10. "I wonder if I could sneak a beer in here."

11. "I just really want chocolate chip cookies."

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments