Global warming is the scariest natural disaster known to man. Most people may not think of it that way because it's slow: it takes its time to kill its victims and waits until we are unaware of striking a deadly blow. We don't look at the ice caps for a few years, and they fall apart. It's only then that we realize that sea levels have risen as a consequence and therefore ocean towns are in danger of being swept away.

There are so many important aspects and stages of life. Some people will say finding yourself is the best thing you can do. Others say you need to find your soulmate. Maybe we live to have children and to love them more than we could ever love anything on the planet. However, in order to do any of those things, we need a planet to live on.

We hear in the news constantly about wars and famine and human rights issues. People wonder what is wrong with humanity and how we have reached such a point of hatred and anger that groups feel the need to attack the innocent to make a point or to spread terror. Governments and NGO's work tirelessly to figure out a solution, wondering how on earth they could fix these problems. However, there needs to be an earth in the future to solve the issues.

I am not trying to diminish the other worldwide problems. These are really important issues to consider: people should be guaranteed certain inalienable rights, no matter their position in society or in a new country. Governments should be working to apprehend terrorist groups and to deter war between nations or between groups of people in their own countries. Women should absolutely have the same rights as men, and children should be protected from abusive parents and sweat shops. Everyone has the right to an education. Animals should not be abused. The list goes on and on. There are countless causes that people should fight for, but the harsh truth is that if we don’t have a planet that can sustain us, we won’t be able to fight for anything.

We need a planet to maintain the society we have created as the human race. Without this planet, we will literally have nothing. We won’t be able to argue about the best way to fight ISIS or what should be done regarding the immigrant crisis in Europe if we are struggling to breathe from the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere.

We should not all become tree huggers overnight, but more attention should be given to the growing environmental crisis that is gripping our world and threatening our survival. Walking an extra mile instead of driving or turning off the lights when you leave the room are small prices to keep our planet habitable.