Time Is Running Out To Save Planet
Newcastle Herald
Thursday May 22, 2008
IT is believed that in the past 100 years global warming has caused the average temperature of the world to rise by half a degree, making the problem a major issue locally and worldwide.
It is up to this generation to make a difference and help lower greenhouse gas emissions by walking instead of driving, recycling, using less aerosols, only using air-conditioners when desperately needed and turning off lights when not using a room. If all people did these things more often, greenhouse gas emissions could be cut by a very noticeable amount.Already, several actions have been taken, such as Earth Hour 2008. But only about 60 per cent of Australian households took part, so more participation is needed. Residents of the Hunter are urged to be more efficient for the sake of tomorrow and for the sake of your children's children. Think of not only your future but also the future of wildlife.More than 70 species of frogs, mostly mountain-dwellers unable to find a place to hide from the increasing heat, have already been lost. And already many species of penguins and the polar bears are under threat as the ice caps begin to melt.For the sake of tomorrow's generation, this generation must make themselves responsible for our environment and understand the irreversible effects of global warming. The environment is slowly dying around us and something must be done. People cannot continue to lead wasteful lives or the world as we know it today could be very different tomorrow.In 2001, Pope John Paul II , said: "Humanity has disappointed God's expectations. Man is no longer the creator's steward. Degrading that flowerbed which is the earth, our dwelling place. But it is finally beginning to understand that he must stop at the end of the abyss."Those powerful words urge us to understand that the lives we are living are reckless towards the environment around us and need to change in small ways.University of NSW co-director for climate change research Professor Andy Pitman said "it takes 20 years for the environment to show the effects of human impacts, therefore another 20 years to show the improvements".It is up to this generation not to leave it to the next generation. Recycle, turn off the lights, walk or use public transport.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald
