Posted November 8, 2024 - Joann D, Notre Dame of Maryland University Class of 2027
My concern about the climate is that it will have to get worse before it gets better. There are preliminary laws and policies in place to combat things like rising sea levels, more frequent and violent storms, and hotter days, but the fact is, these things are still happening at a rapid pace. In the future, I want to go outside for long periods without worrying that it will be hot and confine me to the indoors. I would like to swim at the beach without the threat of sharks swimming nearby.
So, to address climate change, I first educate myself on the happenings of it. I look into what is occurring, how it happened, and what action I can take to lessen the burden. Educating oneself is key to fighting any issue head-on. Sharing this knowledge is also beneficial because, as the saying goes, “If you know better, you’ll do better.”
Also, I change my habits so that I am not creating more waste than I have to, like drinking from a reusable bottle, buying in bulk, and only consuming things I know I’ll use. Individual action is just as important as group action, but any progress is good progress. A little can go a long way in progressing permanent damage to the climate. So, I’m hopeful that things will turn around for the better.
My faith plays a role in every aspect of my life, including climate issues. As stated in Genesis 2:15, God created humans to care for and cultivate the land He created. This verse can be blown out of proportion, but the simple fact is the earth should be treated as a treasure and not a commodity.
There are always deals made to make profits off the resources that the earth provides, which is not in itself bad but the process of claiming them is. For example, the earth's surface is comprised of about 71% water, not all drinkable. Freshwater is hard to come by, with only 3% of water being freshwater. Some countries have to obtain drinking, bathing, and cooking water by going to their groundwater reservoirs or walking miles to get to it. This is no way to live in a world with so much technology. Pushing for reforms and ensuring we vote for the officials making these dire choices on our behalf are important.
The earth gives us so much, so we should do our part to ensure we can live on it for the foreseeable future
