Is Our Planet On A Time Limit?
I woke up this morning and I felt a little bit older. My eagerness to grab a morning coffee was heightened as I slowly rose up to start the day. It's most likely from the combination of work, socialising and not taking a moment to relax.
I guess you could say I felt 'burnt out'.
It was in this moment that I wondered if the world was burnt out, was 2020 the relaxation the planet was desiring?
Even though our planet's carbon emissions dropped last year, our ocean’s ecosystem, global deforestation and unsustainable use of resources are still of concern.
It is overwhelming to think that by 2050 we will have more plastic floating in our ocean than fish swimming. Amongst this aquatic ecosystem we will have 3.7 trillion cigarettes, 15 trillion pieces of plastic and 500,000 tonnes of micro plastics dumped in our ocean annually.
On land, deforestation is threatening 80% of the animals and plants found in forests globally. We need to remember that removal of these trees reduces the canopies that retain heat through the evening and block the sun during the day (this change can be fatal for some species). These forests also regulate water cycles, and by removing the trees we reduce the water returning to the soil. For humans, this affects us by the surrounding soil drying quicker – reducing crop growing capabilities.
Between the ocean and land, our resources are limited and we need to discover new avenues to sustain our lifestyle. You may wonder, what can one person do to change years of environmental damage?
Our ocean is the lungs of the planet and absorbs the majority of our C02 (rainforests are a close second). You can assist the Coral Gardeners to restore our reefs by adopting a Super Coral. Conserve our ocean with a small donation.
2. Try reusable sanitary products
There are many products we can replace with reusable items. Considering one sanitary item takes 500-800 years to decompose, let's start with that. Swap out your tampons and pads for a menstrual cups and period briefs.
Making a dietary switch to two plant based meals a week will be vital to not just your health but to the planet.
It worries me watching these statistics go up every year. I don't enjoy the uncertainties of what our planet will look like in the future. I hope through building awareness and making changes in my life for the good of the planet, may protect the world for the next generation.
