Every single day humans contribute to changes in our environments, both good and bad. Our contributions are the choices we make. It's sometimes difficult to see the numerous reasons why we should recycle that water bottle, or not be wasteful of food, water, or electricity.

This perspective is difficult to obtain and more difficult to retain. We must get out of our comfort zones to have perspective, and keeping perspective requires us to move further from our comfort zones. In gaining perspective, we also understand the importance in actively participating in our global community. We will be involved whether we choose to be or not, so why not be a leader who lives intentionally, consistently striving towards environmentally positive choices?

Recently, there have been many incidences where environmental topics have come up in the news, both good and bad. To make informed choices, we must know what's happening in our world.

Here are thirteen recent events that discuss temperament of our environment. Fracking in the midwest causes earthquakes, links between Social, Political, and Environmental problems, three oil spills can help us understand pollution and our reactions to mistakes... These are just a few reasons to be mindful of our actions.

1. Climate Change: Gruesome Photos Reveal Polar Bears' New Diet Thanks to Climate Change

2. Population Density and Distribution: The Difficulties of Density

3. Pollution: Third major oil spill in a week: Shell pipeline breaks in Texas

4. Healthful Alternatives: Florida Researchers Seek To Replace Harmful Pesticides With Bats

5. Renewable Energy: Costa Rica has gone 76 straight days using 100% renewable electricity

6. (Preventable) Natural Disaster, Water Pollution: Oklahoma Orders Shutdown of Wells After Record-Tying Earthquake

7. Environmental and Social Issues Working Together: This town is tackling education, nutrition, and crime by growing fruits and veggies.

8. Ecosystems, Climate Change: The Oceans Can’t Protect Us Anymore—Here’s Why

9. Social Action Motivates Change: West Virginia halts mountaintop removal project after strong opposition from locals10. Endangered Species, Population Growth: The Giant Panda Is No Longer an Endangered Species

11. Ecosystems: A Coral Reef Revival

12. Convenience over Environmental Concern: Pipeline spill threatens gasoline supply, environment

13. Social and Political Issues Link to Environmental Issues: BAKKEN PIPELINE POSES RISKS TO IOWA

You don't have to start eating out of dumpsters, stop using electronics, or "go vegan" to help save the planet. The first step is education: so educate yourself.

"Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man." Stewart Udall