The world we build

"You reap what you saw." This is a common proverb we have heard a million times from adults whenever we complain about our grades, and it basically states the following idea: future consequences are inevitably shaped by present actions. Whether you like it or not, this is true, and it can be consistently seen through life, but I want to focus today's article around the idea that the world we build today, will shape the future of humanity. Have you ever stopped to think about what kind of world do you want to live in in the future? What are we doing today to get it? 

Climate change.

Let’s start by saying that climate change is causing a lot of damages, especially in the Arctic. This constant climate variation is breaking icebergs, the ice on the lakes is breaking really fast, and most of all, it is damaging environments for plants and animals to survive. Predicted events are happening sooner than expected. There is a loss of sea ice, an accelerated rise of sea levels, and longer, intense heat waves. A lot of species are in danger of extinction and some animals even have an expected day to disappear. Scientists expect the climate to continue rising higher and higher, therefore damaging more the Earth, our world.

Animals.

As I said, animals such as polar bears, penguins, and wolves are losing more of their kind. Their environment is being damaged more and more, and these animals need the ice to survive and to continue reproducing. Every day higher temperatures strike the Earth, and it is harder to maintain a safe perimeter. Their growth and reproduction is endangered.

Contamination.

Contamination is the main reason why the world is more and more dirty and dangerous. Events such as smoking, the smoke that comes out of cars or trucks, and trash in the ocean are affecting our world, making it harder to survive in our environment. Pollution poisons the waterways and soil. It might also kill plants and animals, living things that are vital for us humans survive in our world: Earth. Pollution also affects us, humans. Long-term air pollution can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and even asthma. Particle pollution is also a way of leading to heart problems and death.

One of the main reasons for contamination is trash in the ocean. Some people, instead of recycling or throwing trash in garbage cans, they throw it into the ocean and they become dirty and smelly. As we all know, water is the most important thing in the world to survive, so we need it as clean as possible. But the more trash we throw in the ocean, the dirtier the water becomes. The trash in the ocean also contaminates the air making the air more dangerous and harmful for us humans.

What can we do?

Here's the thing: Not only natural changes like global warming are damaging the Earth, but also humans. In fact, humans are the ones who are making the world more dangerous. We can recycle, ride bikes instead of cars, don’t throw trash in the ocean or on land and stop using so much plastic and start thinking more organically. I also encourage you to care about your health by stopping smoking. Caring for and protecting plants, and reforestation is a great way to purify the air and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If you cut one tree, you could plant 20 more trees. Also for a healthy world, we need healthy people. So, even though vegetables and fruits don't taste excellent, eat them! It’s better for the world and for your body.

And remember: the world we built now is the world we will live in in the future.

By Rodrigo Linera

5th Grade Student