My Take on Environmentalism

There are many types of environmental problems that the world is experiencing nowadays, be it the pollution found in the cities, deforestation of natural rainforests, and the melting of the polar ice caps. One of the worst environmental problems, if not the worst, that the Earth is currently facing is global warming.
Global warming is the gradual increase of the Earth’s surface temperature, mainly due to the effects of certain greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from either deforestation or monoxides found in pollution. These gases would trap the heat that would supposedly escape from the surface of the Earth, which would effectively increase the Earth’s surface temperature.
From the name itself, we can already know the main effect of global warming to the Earth. There is this gradual change in temperature, more specifically, a rise in temperature of the Earth’s climate system. From this rise in temperature, more side effects would be branching out. Some of these include the depletion of different bodies of water, forest fires, unpredictable weather, and the melting of the polar caps.
It would be fair to say that humans must reap what they sow, that because we have been burning fossil fuels and cutting down trees, we deserve to suffer the consequences given by global warming. Although, it is not just humans who are experiencing these side effects, plants and animals alike also pay for the cost of our negligence to our environment.
Let us first take into account the depletion of water in different bodies of water. This phenomenon tends to deprive aquatic plants the space to grow, therefore a chain reaction will occur in the ecosystem surrounding these bodies of water. The animals that rely on these plants as their food supply would then decrease in number or some would then rely on other ways of feeding themselves thus disturbing the natural flow of the ecosystem.
Forest fires occur because of the intense heat produced by the sun. Since the ozone layer is depleted due to the global warming, the unfiltered sunlight is sometimes too much to handle, and combustion would occur at the trunks of certain trees. Forest fires deprive those animals that live in the rainforests of their natural habitat. Their natural breeding and living grounds would be reduced to ashes. Other than leaving certain animals homeless, forest fires also produce a decent amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which contribute more to global warming.
The depletion of the polar caps happens when too much heat is directed to either of the poles of the world. The ice in the Arctic or Antarctic regions melt and the water levels of the ocean and the sea would in turn increase. Not only does this mean that tsunamis are more likely to happen due to the sudden increase in water levels, this also means that the arctic animals are being stripped of their natural habitat. That these animals, penguins and polar bears, which mainly thrive only in places with cold climates are in danger of being extinct.
“Polar Bear Numbers Plummeting in Alaska, Canada—What About the Rest?”
The article states that a large population of polar bears in Alaska and Canada has decreased by 40% since the start of the new millennium (year 2000). Sure, we don’t really know much about the other places that contain polar bears, that we are not entirely sure that global warming is the main reason that the number of polar bears in Canada and Alaska are dwindling; some might say that hunters need the skin of polar bears to make fine clothing or fur coats, but the picture found in the article would say otherwise.
Once the polar caps have been reduced to very few blocks of ice, the number of polar bears would decline dramatically since these blocks of ice are their means of catching their primary source of food which are seals. We can also say that they are finding ways to cope with their problem that they are already finding other sources of food, but I doubt that this means of coping with the depletion of ice and removal of their main food supply would hold for the long run.
It is quite intriguing that people do not really consider how grave the effects of global warming are to animals. Since humans can easily cope with the effects of global warming (people could rely on air-conditioning during a very hot day), we seem to be assuming that animals could easily cope as well. Sadly, it does not really work that way.
I guess, there really is no more remedy to cure the depletion of these polar regions. We can reduce the depletion rate by finding means to stop global warming, but the damage has already been done. What we can do, in turn, is to make artificial habitats for these polar animals to thrive in, try to re-invent their initial living environment and give them the necessary supplies to live and maybe, that would save them from extinction.
Before everything is too late, let us strive to make this world a better place to live in. There are a lot of things that we can do to help end global warming. With even simple things like considering the installation of compact fluorescents (CFL), or even light-emitting diodes (LED) lights in our house. This is a win-win situation since these help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and at the same time, these also help to lower our electric bills.
On a personal note, I would like to help in saving energy and be an environmentalist in my own ways. I can reduce my computer usage per day. I will refrain from leaving the phone charger plugged even after charging. This is to save electricity, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions and also for the safety of our household.
I will take note of the small ways like switching off lights when not in use and of course, unplugging appliances. Recycling things like papers, plastic and bottles will also be a great help. I will pay more attention on how I use water. I always bring my own water bottle so I don’t need to buy bottled water always. This will help in the reduction of plastic use.
Whenever possible, I will gladly participate in a tree-planting activity or coastal clean-up. It is not just ways to help save the planet, but also a great opportunity to meet new friends with the same advocacies.
Here is a list of what I can still contribute in reducing my carbon footprint and saving the environment in general: * Reducing the thermostat of the air conditioner, especially on rainy days or cold nights * Walking to places whenever it is possible * Brushing without running water * Recycling papers and reducing its use * Keeping small litter if there are no available trash bin yet
I am hoping that I can dutifully fulfil these things in order to help promote the sense of environmentalism.