Why reduce waste?

Our planet creates many resources, which we use to make everything from gasoline to paper plates. However, these resources are often not being replaced at the same rate that they are being used. For example, the average person in the United States uses approximately 25 barrels of oil per year--over 80 million barrels are consumed each day worldwide. Petroleum cannot be formed by the Earth at that rate; this is why we are looking for alternative energy sources, harnessing solar and wind energy, building hybrid cars, and so forth. Even the waste of so-called 'renewable resources' affects the environment. We often believe that trees can be replaced after they are cut down. However, logging has destroyed a large percentage of the rainforest, increasing erosion and decreasing biodiversity. The loss of species may prevent us from learning about plants or animals that could be used in medical research and other fields. Reducing our waste decreases the overall consumer demand for these resources, reducing the impact that logging, oil drilling, and similar activities have on our environment.

 

 

Why reduce carbon emissions?

We all know that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere when we drive our car. However, they are also emitted when we turn on an appliance that is fueled from electricity at coal-burning or other power plants that release pollution into the air. Such gases contribute to the greenhouse effect : they prevent solar radiation from escaping the atmosphere, effectively trapping heat near our planet. To some extent, this is necessary to keep our planet from freezing--but accumulation of greenhouse gases leads to global warming. An increase in world temperatures can lead to stronger hurricanes, higher sea levels, and general environmental havoc. These climate changes can cause harm to plants and animals. An increased ocean temperature of just one or two degrees can cause coral reefs to lose their symbiotic and die. Such changes can have disastrous effects on local ecosystems: coral reef bleaching destroys the habitat of tropical fishes and other animals. Cutting down on our carbon emissions helps maintain a normal planetary temperature.

Why reduce other pollution?

Air and water pollution lead to human illness and, again, decreased biodiversity. In several major cities, air pollution causes smog, which causes the blackening of buildings and can detract from beautiful architecture. It irritates the membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat. Of greater concern, however, is the fact that pollution harms our lungs and hearts. It also weakens our immune system. Breathing in too much polluted air can lead to death, particularly in children and the elderly. Pollution also thins the ozone layer, which protects us from cancer-causing solar radiation. Pollution causes ozone particles to move closer to the Earth's surface. Once there, they harm our lungs and prevent plants from effectively performing photosynthesis. When pollutants are finally released from the atmosphere, it is often in the form of acid rain, which harms property and unbalances ecosystems. Pollutants can also build up in the fat of small animals, working their way up the food chain until they reach humans. Decreasing the amount of pollution that we release into the environment can help to mitigate these problems.

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