What does it mean to protect the Earth?

Our Earth is a beautiful planet, covered in blue oceans and green forests.

Birds fly in the sky, fish and dolphins swim in the sea, and many animals and plants live in the forests.

And of course, humans are also a part of this Earth.

But now, this precious Earth is slowly suffering.

The causes are the trash we generate from our daily lives, the gases that pollute the air, and actions that destroy nature.

If we do nothing, the Earth's environment will continue to deteriorate, and not only animals and plants but also human lives will be greatly affected.

Sad things happening in the ocean

 

Have you ever heard about the "ocean plastic problem"?

It is said that approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste flow into the world's oceans every year.

This is equivalent to dumping one large truckload of garbage into the sea every minute.

In the ocean, this waste is harming living creatures.

For example, sea turtles.

Sea turtles love to eat jellyfish, but they sometimes mistake plastic bags floating in the ocean for jellyfish and eat them.

Plastic bags cannot be digested in their stomachs and remain there for a long time, preventing them from eating food and eventually causing them to die.

Dolphins and whales suffer similar fates.

There is a lot of finely broken-down waste called "microplastics" in the ocean. These are so small that they cannot be distinguished from food.

When dolphins and whales eat plankton or fish, they also ingest these tiny plastics.

This makes them feel full, and they stop eating. They may become thin and weak, and sometimes even die.

Such tragedies occur daily all over the world. The waste we generate can even take the lives of marine creatures far away.

Global warming and sea level rise

 

There's another major problem: "global warming."

Global warming is a phenomenon where the Earth's temperature gradually rises.

The cause is "greenhouse gases" like carbon dioxide (CO2) that we emit from cars, factories, and power plants.

These gases trap heat around the Earth like an invisible blanket, warming the planet.

As temperatures rise, the ice in the Arctic and Antarctic melts.

When ice melts, the amount of water in the sea increases, and sea levels rise.

According to UN experts, if global warming continues at the current pace, the global average sea level could rise by more than 60cm by 2100.

While 60cm may sound small, in reality, many coastlines will be submerged, and low-lying land will disappear into the sea.

In island nations like Tuvalu and the Maldives, homes and roads are already covered by seawater on some days, and it's said that if things continue, the entire country will become uninhabitable within decades.

In Japan, there's a growing risk that low-lying areas in cities like Tokyo and Osaka could be submerged.

 

Impact on our daily lives

 

Rising sea levels and temperatures also have a significant impact on our daily lives.

For example, as ocean temperatures rise, the habitats of fish change. Fish that used to be caught near Japan might disappear from our dinner tables.

Also, rising temperatures increase extreme weather events.

 

・Increases in unprecedented heavy rainfall and floods

・Typhoons becoming stronger and larger

・Longer periods of excessively hot summers

 

If these things happen, homes, roads, and schools could be damaged, and crops might not grow. If the harvest of rice, vegetables, and fruits decreases, food prices will rise, making life harder.

Furthermore, mosquitoes, which prefer warm climates, may spread to northern regions, potentially leading to the spread of previously non-existent diseases. This poses a major health problem.

 

Protecting nature means protecting people

 

Many people tend to think that "protecting the environment is for animals and nature," but that's not all.

Protecting the environment is also about ensuring that we humans can lead safe and secure lives.

What if the ocean becomes polluted and we can no longer catch fish?

What if our homes are destroyed by heavy rain or typhoons?

What if it's too hot to play outside?

These are not just problems for nature; they are also problems for our lives.

What we can do to change the future

 

To protect the environment, small actions from each individual are very important.

For example:

 

・Minimize waste generation

・Reduce plastic products

・Don't waste water or electricity

・Choose durable items

 

These actions are important steps toward protecting the Earth.

There's a global goal called "SDGs" (Sustainable Development Goals).

This is a promise to work together to protect the future of the Earth and humanity by 2030. Environmental conservation is one of the biggest themes within this initiative.

Your step can change the future

 

Protecting the Earth's environment is not just for nations or adults. Even elementary and middle school students can start today.

A sea where marine life can swim safely, forests where animals can live, towns where humans can live with smiles – each individual's choices are important to create such a future.

Reducing your waste or choosing environmentally friendly products is a small but certain "gift to the future."

If you want to preserve this Earth as beautiful as it is now, for 100 years and beyond, start taking action now. Your single step surely has the power to change the world.

🧭Also read:

Why are shampoo bars eco-friendly? [5 reasons and how to choose]

An ethical life feels good: The power of choices that subtly change your everyday

Giving new life instead of discarding – Connecting the future through upcycling

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