Canadian Institution of Enviroment Protection

The greenhouse effect or global warming is one of the most horrible results of people being neglectful with nature’s defenses and the environment. To explain briefly, the greenhouse effect is the term used by authorities and researches to the thinning of the ozone layer found in space. The ozone layer acts as the barrier between the sun’s tremendous rays and the planets in the galaxy including our very own Earth. Because of this thinning issue, the sun’s rays are able to penetrate the planet directly, thus, creating the global warming. If the main effect of global warming is still vague, let me cite some examples and its appalling effects both to humans and animals.

Heat Stroke – For the past two years, cases of deaths of elderly people related to heat stroke have increased in countries with warmer climates like the Philippines. It has been advised that everyone, especially the elderly should avoid sun exposure from 10am until 3pm as it is during this time that the rays are stronger and more direct to the planet, which can make countries with tropical climate become warmer.

Spread of Disease – Disease-causing insects, specifically mosquitoes have started to migrate from their natural environment to other parts of the world because of global warming. This scenario is most likely the main cause of the spread of different diseases all over the world, which can also lead to economic crisis as citizens tend to get sick all the time.

Melting of Polar Ice Caps – Ice glaciers both from South and North poles are starting to melt. Studies show that if these glaciers will collapse altogether, it can increase see level for more than 200 feet, drowning smaller islands and countries nearby since Earth is made up 3/4 water and ¼ land. Thankfully, it will not collapse collectively, but it has slowly melted on a faster pace, which adds about a few centimeters of the water level each year. Furthermore, if this scenario will worsen, it can cause irregularity to the salt percentage of ocean water. Consequently, it can alter the natural habitat of underwater creatures and can cause their untimely death.

Increase of Natural Calamities – Studies show that warmer waters can increase the occurrence of stronger hurricanes and flashfloods in certain countries. Also, countries that have been experiencing drought regularly will experience longer periods of drought and those that are in colder locations will experience lower temperatures as well. If you have noticed, several reports about hurricanes, flash floods, and landslides have been filed and these are some of the horrible effects of global warming.

Studies show that if we continue to ruin our planet through the release of harmful chemicals and gases into the air, land, and water, the thinning of the ozone layer will continue and it will take thousands of years for it to fully recover. Will you allow your next generation to experience more brutal effects of global warming?

It is inevitable that anthropological activities or those activities that are carried out by humans cause adverse outcomes to the environment. Some of the clear forms of the detrimental impacts of such anthropological activities include deforestation, water pollution, decrease in the supply of water, deforestation, destruction of marine biodiversity, and profusion of garbage.  We, as individuals however, can do something in the simplest ways to alleviate and eventually stop these widespread damages in the environment. We as the citizens of the planet Earth must be the first to love, protect, and nurture the place we live in.

Here are a number of steps that we can apply to help in the protection and conservation of our mother Earth:

3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

I know. This topic has been a cliché in arguments about environmental protection, but come to think of it. How many of us really employ or put the 3Rs in to action?

In accordance to a study, one billion trees are still cut down annually in America alone in order to provide raw materials for the production of paper and pulp mills. You can just imagine how much trees we could save by merely putting the 3Rs in to action through reducing the use of recycling papers. According to other studies, the accumulated number of all types of wastes worldwide is still on the rise, as the organizations that provide waste management services are having are hard time keeping up with the enormous demand. Thus, we can still clearly see that most people indeed do neglect this seemingly passé topic in the protection of the environment. We could start taking part in this particular effort by simply reducing our use of plastic bag and simply resorting to reusable bags or “ecobags” when we go to the grocery.

Conserve Energy at Home

According to research, the use of fluorescent lights and compact fluorescent lights saves more energy than using incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs use lesser energy compared to the incandescent bulbs, thus helping you save more money in paying electricity bill and also conserve energy. Moreover, you should also lessen the use of electronic devices at home or simply unplug the devices that are not in use.

Plant Greens and Trees

If you have a backyard at home, planting more vegetation and trees will lessen air pollution. The plants absorb Carbon Dioxide that causes the green house effect.

Track Your Carbon Footprints

It will help if would we resort to activities that lessen our carbon footprints such as using the natural sunlight in drying our clothes instead of using our dryers. Carpooling or taking the public transportation will also help in decreasing your carbon footprints.