CLIMATE CHANGE

         

 Have anyone heard the Tagalog song “Kapaligiran’ by the group Asin? The song clearly describes the environment now…the dirty air we breathe, the poisoned rivers and seas. Where are the lush forests, the rich mountains? The song even says that birds no longer have trees where they build their nests. Yes, our environment now is very much different from what our ancestors have centuries ago.

          They say God created the world as a paradise where humankind would live harmoniously and in abundance. God created trees to give us shelter and food. God created the seas to give water to drink and where aquatic animals could live and grow so that they, too, can provide us food to eat. But where are these precious gifts that god gave us? We can see bareheaded mountains, no green and tall trees covering it. We see dark and oily waters rather than clear blue waters from our rivers and seas. We see floating garbage and dead fishes rather than abundant swimming aquatic animals. We can no longer smell the sweet fragrance of the early morning mist, but the polluted air from the factories and smoke-belching vehicles.

          It is true, the world has changed a lot. Man has become wiser. He has invented so many things that give him a more comfortable living. But is it worth it? Despite the comfort that we now feel, what do we notice in our atmosphere? We now experience rainfall and even typhoons even during the months of December, which is very unusual for us since rainy seasons do not reach the month December. Have we not also noticed how scorchingly it goes? So many types of skin diseases have come out because of the climate change.

          Yes, climate change is now occurring because of the thinning of the ozone layer. What is the ozone layer? The ozone layer is the protective layer in the atmosphere that covers the earth from the dangerous air beyond it. The ozone layer is now so thin and that we can now feel the bed effects of it. But how come the ozone layer has thinned so rapidly.

          Because man has become so wise, he has invented almost everything to provide comfortable living to mankind. Yes, comfortable living, but not safe enough to feel comfortable in the end. Man never thought of the ill effects of such progress. Man has only thought of it now that it is felt.

          Let us do our share in protecting the ozone layer. Let us all do our share in protecting the world we live in. Let us save Mother Earth. Let us save humankind.