One of the greatest blessings we have from God is the ground we stand on. The planet we live on.
Earth.
It’s constantly there supporting us and providing us with food to eat, water to drink, air to breathe, materials to build with, resources to create with and an abundance of other benefits. What have we done to protect the one thing that protects roughly 7 billion people? What do we do to help the Earth? Where do you fit in?
One of the biggest problems we face is our mentality. We think that we are such a small nation how could we possibly change the world? How could I, just one person, make an impact? We need to realize that we should protect and conserve the Earth just as much as we “use” it. We need to look out for our planet as much as it “looks out” for us. One tiny ripple can still end up making a big wave so rather than wondering if we could possibly change anything, why don’t we try as much as we possibly can.
Maybe we do not realize how we affect the environment. However, we live in a world where just about everyone has access to the Internet and we need to educate ourselves. The excuses need to stop for the changes to begin. We are taught from an early age the three golden rules: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
How many of us actually integrate these simple rules into our lives? It’s an integral part of our religion as well. To not waste and if we had to throw something away, we need to dispose of it properly. We tend to think that people are paid to clean up the streets and therefore, are required to clean up after us. This goes to such an extreme level that people throw waste five steps away from a trashcan just because it’s a “public place”. We need to stop this mentality and we need to be better examples for our children.
We are so saddened to see just how much waste ends up on the beach in Hulhumale’. Even when trashcans are set up on the beach most of the trash ends up along the beach or five steps away from the trash can. It’s also common to see bushes and patches of grass covered in trash. Just because you throw it into a bush and you don’t see it anymore doesn’t mean it’s not there. Most of this trash ends up in oceans where they harm our marine life.
Why do we not care for the Earth that takes care of us? Why do we think that our trash is the responsibility of a poor expat worker who probably doesn’t get paid enough to do half the work he does? Why do we think we can’t make a change? Lead by example, carry waste to the nearest trashcan, help clean up even if it’s not “your trash”, teach your children the importance of keeping the environment clean and create awareness about the impact our actions have on the environment.
Lets do our part. Lets start today.