We are eating away at our own life support systems at a rate unseen in the past 10,000 years by degrading land and freshwater systems, emitting greenhouse gases and releasing alarming amounts of agricultural chemicals into the environment according to new research.The DAPL is becoming a more and more popular topic in the media with the controversial issues of starting the construction of the new pipeline, but this is only a small insight of what happens around the world every single day. The destruction of the world itself.

"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone. They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot." - Counting Crows

A vast amount of Natives in North Dakota have resided in this reservation for years, and the Missouri River is the only source of water that they have in their surroundings. This new pipeline is supposed to be run under the Missouri River, and with this river being their main source of water, Natives are at a huge risk for a leak. Even the highest quality pipeline could be flawed and at some point in time, spring a leak, creating pollution for the Natives that use this river as their main, if not only, source of water. And to make matters worse, sacred burial grounds are at risk of being built over and destroyed. The government not only threatens water supply, but is also threatening the Native's sacred burial grounds. The Natives are angered and are asking for allies to stand with them to protect their lands, to stand up against the greed of the government. They remain peaceful and protest their rights peacefully, but are still threatened by police force that continue to use aggressive and semi-violent approaches.

Miles away, alongside the western coast of Puerto Rico, a beautiful nature reserve is at risk for being destroyed for a resort and what could be the largest casino in the Caribbean. The Christopher Columbus landing resort project is quite alarming. This area is an extremely environmentally sensitive area that is home to many endangered species of coral that reside on top of a subterranean aquifer. It is also another natural source of water for many in the area. The project hopes to provide jobs for many, but there is a great risk that it will not be a success. So, what then? A beautiful ecosystem destroyed for vacant buildings and parking lots to sit and rot. If this project goes through, it could potentially affect other areas of not only the island, but the Caribbean as well.

The first step with issues like these is education; educate those who are unaware. We all have a voice and could make a huge difference in the outcome of terrible corporate projects. Spread the word and do what you can. We aren't all able to travel and protest, but education and spreading the word makes a huge difference. Sign any petitions and get people talking. Look for benefits in your area. Believe it or not, Dave Matthews is playing in DC November 27, with all money proceeding to Standing Rock. Get moving and get active in any way possible.

The love for money and desire for power is ultimately destroying the world around us. The economy is run on the destruction of the natural world. Somehow the environmental movement, a grave desire to protect the Earth, was eaten by the sustainability movement all to make sure we can maintain our comfortable lifestyles. But we will soon have to choose what is it we are trying to sustain, a living earth or an industrialized civilization? We certainly cannot have both.

Only after the last tree is cut down. Only after the last river has been poisoned. Only after the last fish has been caught. Only then will we realize we cannot eat money. - Cree Indian Prophecy