A Change of Mind: Recognizing the Value of Our Planet

By Broadside Opinion Columnist Scott Mason

Everything we produce as human beings is laid to rest somewhere. Toys, cups, plates, silverware and plastic are just a few things that manage to “return” to the earth once we are done with them. We throw our used and old products in a landfill, but they may take years to biodegrade. Even after all the episodes of Captain Planet we watched as kids, we still do not hesitate to litter more often than not. Our environmental conscience rarely looks at the little things, like what we recycle or the piece of gum we spit out on the sidewalk.

Energy is the force that keeps our modern lives running. It is also created by humans to run our electronics, but at what cost to the world around us? We burn things for most of our electricity and transportation needs. Hybrids still burn gasoline, regardless of how much gasoline they save. Electric cars still must be plugged into the wall, and although that may use less power, when the majority of power generated in the United States is made by burning natural gas or coal, the atmosphere isn’t becoming any clearer.

Turning off your light and computers is possibly the easiest step to helping the air we breathe. Who needs AIM or Facebook 24/7 anyway? Also, driving less and using public transportation more can help. The blame cannot be put entirely on the corporations. We as humans need to show that energy alternatives are wanted and a decreased demand for traditional fuels is what we need.

I am writing this because I was cursed and blessed to be born on April 22. Yes, Earth Day. As a child, I hated Earth Day, because everyone was more concerned about the Earth Day events my school would throw than they were about the fact that it was my birthday. The tradition of your parent bringing in food for your birthday was always shoved aside. For the longest time, I despised the day that I felt was worth nothing except to plant trees and look at the world you looked at every day. It was a good stint of time before I realized just how cool it was to be born on a kind of cool holiday, even if I did have to go to school. I came to realize that it was a day to celebrate not just the fact that I am one year older, but also that the earth is something we take for granted, and, without it, I would not have another year to celebrate.

As I have grown older, I see that there is more to celebrating this planet than just planting a tree once a year or turning off your lights. This planet is a gift that we have been given, and without it, our fortunes are worth absolutely nothing. So, maybe instead of just taking one day or one week or one month to be good to the earth on which we live, we should do ourselves a favor and treat this planet right every day. Contrary to popular belief, we do not own this world; we are only here for a short period in its long history.

Our children and their children will one day be given the same gift. If we only take one day of each year to be good to our environment, what shape will the earth be in when we leave? We are almost one decade into the newest century and to reminisce with Gandhi, have we been the change we want to see in the world? Or have we sat idly by and let the earth decay even further? So, from today onward, cherish this awesome gift we have received, that we live each day of our lives in. Take some responsibility for your actions. Challenge others to higher standards of living and preserving.

Most importantly, have some love for the earth you live on and change it for the better.