How to Save the Earth

Taichung First Senior High School, student, R.O.C / Lin He-bo

Over the recent years, there has been a heated issue, receiving concern, debate, and controversy. Without doubt, it is global warming and the drastic climate fluctuations extend from the phenomenon. As industrialization continues to proceed from the nineteenth century to now, large energy consumptions has not only led to resource drain, but also resulted in greenhouse gas emissions which are blamed for rising temperatures. Scientists estimate that if the temperature continues to increase, there would be serious consequences in a surprising 20 years. For instance, all the ice located in North Pole would melt away, causing the sea level to rise several meters by then. In addition, approximately a third of all species would become extinct. Since both threaten the survival of human beings, people are more and more aware of this crisis, responding to Earth-saving foundations and campaigns. Governments have also taken action through holding the Copenhagen climate summit. In view of fighting global warming, what is to be done?

One way to reverse this situation is to begin from changing our daily lives and lifestyles. First of all, taking public transportation, bicycling, and walking are strongly encouraged. Automobiles rely on petroleum, which discharges carbon dioxide into the air after being burnt. What we need to do is to cut down on greenhouse gases as much as we can so that the negative effects could be deterred. Furthermore, save energy in every possible way such as turning off lights, using computers less, pulling plugs of appliances in standby mode off, etc. Reports have shown that continuously using a 1000-watt appliance for an hour produces about 750 grams of carbon dioxide, which means trillions of particles are released into the atmosphere in normal usage, not to mention the wasted past. For those who do not want to comply with the inconvenient restrictions in life, there is a much simpler way── buy and use eco-friendly products with certifications. However little the help taking this action could provide to retard the trend, it is at least some drops of water to quench the blazing fire.

From another perspective, there must be a regulation for every nation and every member of the global village rather than voluntary actions in order to win this tug-of-war. The major purpose of the climate summit taken place in Copenhagen, December 2009, was to reach an agreement on reducing carbon releases. Nevertheless, the summit turned out to be a waste of time as powerful nation refuse to abandon economic benefits and assist poor countries. However worse the result may be, there still is hope. As scientific researches reveal warning statistics, leaders are more likely to confront this issue with a serious attitude, seeing the strong evidence. Having conscience held in our minds, we must do whatever we can to pledge for legislations of laws concerning the environment and make our voices be heard. Although it may seem a difficult task, governments would eventually realize the urgency to stop global temperatures from ascending before long. Fortunately, it has been said that a second climate summit will be held in the near future, due to the absence of a concrete solution after the first one ended.

All in all, it is too early to give up on saving planet Earth. We must have faith in ourselves that we can struggle out of this dead end, regarding that it was us human beings who made ourselves trapped in adverse situation. Some may say that the efforts are of no use, and there even are absurd doomsday predictions, but I view the slow progress in optimistic light, bearing in mind that countless miracles which were considered as impossible at that time had been accomplished. If we follow this trail and spare no effort, it is not hard to picture that the beautiful nature once disappeared will come back again with people enjoying themselves in delightful weather.