To every human being,
Throughout my lifetime I have found living in the countryside to be a wonderful experience. The peace and quiet are second to none, minus the occasional tractor that will slowly make its way down your street. The open space and privacy make the experience that much more unique to you, as you feel that the surrounding areas are yours and yours alone.
The golden, rolling hills are not only home to soybeans and stalks of corn every year, but to the diverse forms of wildlife which occupy the same land that we do. Nearby forests create a remarkable portrait of greens, reds, and oranges while calling themselves home to a miscellany of birds, deer, and other forms of wildlife. They breathe new life into our community as we graciously accept oxygen they provide.
This personal relationship with your surroundings is what helped me to develop an appreciation for the environment early on in my life. Unfortunately it is an appreciation that is not shared by everyone.
Recently, I walked down my driveway to retrieve the mail from my mailbox. Once I reached the bottom I glanced at the pond and trees across the street. There were a few geese swimming in the pond as usual, but in the forest nearby were three tires and a beer can.
I wondered how somebody could dispose of these tires in such a place. How could they see past the consequences that these tires could create? Tires are not biodegradable. They create an unnatural home for mosquitoes which carry diseases ranging from enchepalitis, to malaria, to West Nile virus. And these tires could unleash toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, further damaging our already impaired Ozone layer.
While three tires may not present a major problem, the continued belief that one person's actions will not endanger our planet is the largest problem our society faces today.
One person can make a difference. That difference is not always positive.
If one person believes they can dispose of waste into the environment, imagine if hundreds, or even thousands share that exact same sentiment. Their actions will wreak havoc on the earth, all because of a shared belief that one person's actions would have no effect on the earth.
We as humans share this planet together which means we all share the responsibility of taking care of it as we would our own children. If we continue to deface our planet and neglect the growing environmental concerns, future generations will face even greater irreparable damage and see our earth as a shadow of its former self.
So the next time you think about disposing of something improperly, keep in mind that our time on this planet is limited, but Mother Earth will live on.
Sincerely,
Those who care about the environment
