On April 22nd we have celebrated Earth day. This annual event is celebrated around the world, demonstrating support for environmental protection. Its origin stems back to the 1970 and is now celebrated in more than 193 countries.
Today, while the people are fighting and protecting themeselves against the global pandemic.The earth is finally given an opportunity to recover due to a halt to everybodies routines leading to a significant decrease in air pollution, as a result of limited amount of transport usage. The reduction of transport such as planes and cars as workplaces are currently terminated and staff (except key workers) are working from home. The positive impact has been evident in Venice clear water and dolphins appearing in Italy's waterways.
It evidently presents that a reduction in transport and pollution can bring positive changes to the world in a short period of time such as four months. Therefore, we should have and display earth day everyday in our lives. It takes 1000 years for plastic waste to decompose. Plastic bags take 10-20 years to decompose, while plastic bottles 450 years. Therefore, it is essential we all take collective responsibilities for our world. If you take a look around we can see plastic everywhere around us. In the kitchen, plastic packaging for food e.g strawberry boxes. In the bathroom we have shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, spray bottles etc.
We can all make a change. As individuals we can reduce, reuse and recycle. Making sustainable and wise choices while shopping. And we can become more active by biking instead of driving. I encourage everyone to take responsibility as earth offers us beauty, we should respond with appreciation and strive towards earth day everyday.
Karolina Jagodzinska, Ursuline High School
