Of essence to the environmental state of the Earth is planning ahead. Companies are constantly setting up shop without seeing too far beyond profits and economics, all at the cost of the ecological equilibrium. It is a lesson learned so often that industries, specifically manufacturing ones, become profitable, wreak havoc on the environment, and are unable to clean up the mess. Many industries established to make life more convenient and even deluxe, ultimately, jeopardize humans, other species, and the environment.
To say that we must do away with industries is virtually impossible on Earth, as long as humans are existent on this planet. I, thus, believe that instead of contributing to the environmental issues, such as the introduction of toxic wastes and excessive garbage into different habitats, we should try to practice limits in how many destructive industrial edifices and structures are built. Industries should also practice limits in how much material they use in the production of their products as well as try to find ways to use the wastes generated in the production of and by their products. Looking ahead, this practice may even help save the companies money and resources in the future, which is an incentive for everyone. That is, the company saves economically, the government does not have to give tax breaks to or make excuses for the company, and the consumers and the environment does not have to suffer the costs. Call me naïve for believing that the world can work in this way, but would we all, including the companies, consumers, and the government, rather continue on with how we are living and operating now? Other methods, obviously, have not been effective.
If we do not start helping ourselves now and fixing the source of the problem rather than the problem itself, we are leading up to the destruction of land and all that we know since the rate of change that the Earth is experiencing and its deviation from equilibrium are, respectively, rapid and extreme. We saw with the New Bedford Case Study that the agricultural, whaling, textile, fishing, and several other industries all contributed to the various toxicities present in the area now, such as the toxic water filled with dyes and PCBs. People lived in New Bedford, just as we all live in our hometowns, and dealt with such filth, especially that generated from sewage, which ended up in the water. If many of us do not become aware of the issues at hand and make an effort to fix the environmental wrongs, devastatingly polluted cities, such as New Bedford, may become the norm.
Companies may, furthermore, be emitting toxic carbon emissions into the air, which contribute to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect entails that the Earth becomes warmer due to trapped heat, which disturbs the Earth’s equilibrium, leading to climate and even ecological changes. As of such, companies should be on the lookout for environmental-friendly ways to produce their products and conserve energy. To say such is definitely easier than to do, but, perhaps, this next statement shall give companies some motivations: If we do not prepare for the worst as of now, we will have to deal with the worst eventually!
Unless certain businesses, government officials, and even consumers stop treating the environment like a business deal and pretending as if they care about the environment’s welfare and equilibrium, then much cannot be done about the environment. This notion rings true to me because a problem this enormous can only be solved with the dedicated efforts of every individual, no matter how young or old. Pertinent to every individual doing his or her part is the understanding of every individual of the issue, about what he or she should do to help, and about why he or she is taking actions. Even after the masses are educated and taking action, however, everyone must continue to be driven to do their part in the environment. Sure we would all rather blot such troubling information from our minds and not worry about the issue, but if we are not thinking about the state of the future, then how can we ensure that we will even be here to live our lives and fulfill our goals in the future?
Sherifa Baldeo
