She is counting
on us
My own
scientific POV on “The Human Impacts on the Environment”
Doomsday clock is about to strike 12. It’s
time to act!
From extreme events to melting glaciers,
from disappearing biodiversity to rising sea levels, and from acidifying oceans
to the early arrival of spring, everyone must now realize that the tick-tock of
the clock means Mother Earth is counting on us.
We humans are informed that Earth is the only place
for flora and fauna to live in and therefore reminds us to protect our
environment and to live in peace and harmony with nature. But some seems to
pretend not to see the tears and madness of Mother Earth.
Everyone has been reckless and has always wanted to
have more and more from nature without thinking the risks, without thinking
about her side. Instead of thanking God for the precious gifts, man has learned
to abuse and destroy it.
Ondoy, Pablo, Sendong, Yolanda, and many other
typhoons were undoubtedly devastating to every Filipinos. Those typhoons and
many more calamities worldwide have caused many hearts to crush and many tears to
fall but aren’t those Mother Earth’s way of telling us “vengeance is mine”?
According to studies, humans and their activities
can constitute a serious threat to the environment, just as natural processes
can pose a potential danger to people. Much damage has resulted from
atmospheric pollution associated with industrialization, particularly in
support of wealthy, developed nations.
The ozone layer depletion, which is caused mainly
by the emission of carbon molecules and other greenhouse gases from burning of
fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities, contributes to the
global warming which greatly affects all spheres on Earth.
Changes
resulting from global warming include rising sea levels, submerging low-lying
islands and lands near coasts (lithosphere), due to melting polar ice caps, the
loss of potential water sources (hydrosphere), as well as an increase in
occurrence and severity of storms and other severe weather events (atmosphere).
Moreover, these changes have paved way for some
species of plants and animals to become endangered or worst become extinct
(biosphere).
The causes of these problems and their solutions
are involved with humans. More mindful attention is needed in anticipating
these changes and the differential vulnerabilities of different places. We must
use our intelligence to find ways to assimilate the changes needed to respond
on environmental damages and to make the planet bearable for every life form.
This is a challenge to everyone. Do something for
Mother Earth to smile and for God to be proud of. Forget selfishness and greed,
and save our resources. Preserve and conserve the wonders of Earth.
Together, let’s bring back the doomsday clock to
normal. Be concern and act before hope turns to despair.
The last station was the art exhibit on astronomy and global warming. There were displays on the eight planets in our solar system where we had some lecture. I have also experienced the human tickler for the first time in my life in this station. Now, I know how being electrified would feel like. In the last part, we had the chance to take some photos of ourselves in their fascinating large images of animals and other arts that would really appear realistic on cameras. 
