If you had one wish without any consequences, what would you wish for?
Would you wish for wealth? OR would you wish for World Peace? Would it be to end world hunger? To travel the world? What your wish for?
It's astonishing to realize that if you were to ask this question to several people, their responses would vary from wealth to health to finding their true love. Well if I had one wish, I would wish for the ability to reverse all the damage that is being done to Earth and to preserve its beauty. The human race has been so self-centered that unfortunately while doing this we forget that this is the only planet where life is possible.
When was the last time that you sat in front of nature and enjoyed the view instead of behind a digital screen? Did you take a moment to look at how beautiful the world is today? Or any other day for that matter...
Have you ever thought about that the nature you are able to see currently may be nonexistent in a few years? That your grandchildren may not see all the animals you can see on a safari, the zoo, or anywhere for that matter, due to the fact that many species may be extinct in a few years. It's a scary thought, the possibility of a mass extinction is not only higher today than ever before, but it is also occurring faster than ever before. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, currently, Earth is "now in the midst of its sixth mass extinction of plants and animals." Extinction is a natural process, and in fact, the natural extinction rate, also known as natural “background”, is about "one to about five species per year." Sadly, we currently find ourselves in the Earth's sixth wave of extinctions. According to scientists, we are currently losing about "1,000 to 10,000 times the background rate" of species. In other words, the Earth is losing dozens of species every day, a rate that is faster than ever before. Unfortunately, people are not aware of the current situation that the Earth is in and I believe it is time to change our "ways" before it becomes irreversible.
I think everyone is aware of the "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" motto, but how many people are actually doing it? I think it is time that everyone realizes that although every little bit helps, it may not be enough. We are losing so many species and so much of our natural resources that the Earth is not able to adjust to these vast changes. Yet there does not seem to be much talk about the extinction of some of the greatest species like the Eastern Gorilla, which is currently on the verge of extinction. In fact now thinking about it when was the last time you have heard of people boycotting major companies for destroying our plant? Or people getting mad at one another for allowing this to occur?
The idea is not only to inform the public but to make people care. To show people that the loss of hundred of species in such a short time period, is, in fact harmful to them, BECAUSE sadly that's the only way that people will take action. If the issue impacts the public in a negative way then people are more likely to "fight back".
I’m not proposing that people make drastic life changes such as stop driving their cars or using other "drastic" energy resources. I just think we should all work together to slow down the rate in which the world’s resources are exhausted before the tipping point happens occurs and we lose so much. Wouldn't you want every generation after you to see the amazing world you are currently living in?
One big way to help is to convincing local governments to add infrastructure for alternative energy and/or to fund research for more efficient sustainable methods can be a huge step in the right direction. Obtaining renewable energy can make a huge impact and it may even be more beneficial to us than we believe. Asking and make sure that environmental safety laws are actually enforced so that stop chemical dumping is restricted and drinking waters are not polluted is also another step that can easily be attained. YOU can even help as well. Be as vocal about saving the environment as any other issues and fight to conserve the beauty of nature. Because in the end, wouldn't you wish for a better future?
