By: Tara Belizaire

Every day, we do small things without realizing how much they harm the environment. Our planet is in danger, and we, like superheroes, must battle to protect it. We only have one Earth with one trillion living organisms, including ourselves and some that we have yet to discover. On April 22, let us make it our duty to remember how essential our planet is to us and to our solar system, as well as to raise awareness about how to maintain it. But first, let’s examine some of the most pressing problems confronting Earth and what we, as its guardians, can do to keep it safe.

1. Global Warming

Global warming has become an increasingly pressing issue. It is gradually harming our planet and endangering the existence of several species. A lot of us are unaware that these issues affect not only the planet but also ourselves, our health, our atmosphere, and the generations to come, “of the past ten years (2015–2024) being one of the ten warmest years on record,” said Earth.org. One of the main reasons why species are going extinct this century is global warming.

Rising temperatures are ruining their habitats and endangering wildlife in regions with lower temperatures. According to Earth.org, “recent data shows that there will be almost no summer sea ice cover left in the Arctic in the next few decades. The effects won’t just be felt by the habitats and species such that rely upon this area - they’ll be dramatic in the entire Northern Hemisphere.” Many of us are unaware that sea levels rise because of melting glaciers, which contributes to other global problems like typhoons and storms.  It may appear to be far away, but all of these concerns migrate since we share the same bodies of water, such as Canada, the United States, Eurasia, Iceland, and Greenland. 

2. Deforestation

The environmental issue of deforestation is impacting our carbon dioxide levels, and rising temperatures are destroying our trees, contributing to the release of greenhouse gases.  The destruction of trees due to climate change and tree-cutting is a violation of our duty as guardians of the planet.  Not only are our forests vital for tons of wildlife, but they are also vital to our health.  Agriculture is the primary source of deforestation, according to Earth.org.  One of the biggest environmental problems of our time is caused by the frequent clearing of land to produce crops like sugar cane and palm oil or for the rearing of cattle.  Among the many advantages of trees is their ability to detoxify the air, particularly considering the pollution problem.

3. Plastic Pollution

Plastic was created in 1907, and we have gradually come to take it for granted. Since the late 1960s and early 1970s, the plastic crisis has gotten worse. There have been reports of 220 million tons of plastic trash in 2024. Plastic never completely dissolves like numerous other materials do, which is one of the reasons plastic waste is such a major problem. 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs, and 1 in 2 marine turtles have consumed it, according to World Wildlife Fund. Every year, 8 million tons of plastic are discarded into our oceans. That is a significant problem that we can simply solve. Making minor adjustments, such as purchasing reusable cups and bags, visiting your local recycling center, or utilizing paper bags, will help you reduce plastic usage.

What can you do to help?

Reduce your carbon footprint. Carpool, walk, or bike instead of driving alone. Use energy-efficient appliances and switch to renewable energy, when possible, to help fight global warming.

Help by planting more trees. Support local tree planting initiatives or plant trees in your community. Trees help reduce carbon dioxide levels and provide cleaner air. 

Support businesses that practice sustainable farming and responsible sourcing, especially for products like palm oil, coffee, and beef.

Recycle and reuse every day! Reduce your use of single use plastics by switching to reusable items like water bottles, bags, and containers. Make recycling a daily habit.

Participate in community clean-ups, volunteer for environmental organizations, and spread awareness about these issues in your circles.

Use your voice and your superpower to advocate for the Earth this April!