The earth is a unique place.  It is the only planet in our solar system that has water, oxygen, and the right temperature to support life.  Earth is home to billions of different species of plants and animals and contains countless resources.  Humans are the dominant species of the planet with a population rising close to 7 billion.  Because of our huge numbers, everything we do has an effect on the planet.  We consume huge amounts of food and other goods, use enormous amounts of energy and resources, and alter the natural world to support the growing population.  As an individual, it doesn’t seem like there is much you can do but every little bit helps.  When billions of people change even little things, the effects can be tremendously huge.  There are things that everyone can do to make a difference like conservation, reusing and recycling things, and being active in your community.  We all need to do our part because if we don’t take care of this planet, who will?

      The first step towards helping the environment is to care.  If you care about something, then you will do what you can to preserve it and take care of it.  Learn about the environment - the creatures that we live with and what we can do to help.  Look around you and see how you live.  Think about everything you use, everything you throw away, where it comes from, where it goes, and what it took to make all those things and get them to you, then, times that by a billion people.  That is a lot of stuff.  Everything we use comes from somewhere, takes energy and resources to make, and has to go somewhere when we’re done with it.

      Conservation is key to helping the environment.  We all need to use less water, less electricity, and less stuff in general.  As an individual, you can do things like take shorter showers and turn water off while you wash cars or dishes.  Turn off unnecessary lights or fans and unplug things from outlets when they aren’t being used.  Try to consume less and buy only things you need in order to keep from wasting and if possible buy recycled goods. 

      Reusing and recycling things is another way we all can help the environment.  Just because something was made for one reason doesn’t mean it can’t be used for another purpose.  For example, an empty milk container can be decorated and turned into a flower pot, or an old pickle jar could be turned into a piggy bank…Be Creative!  Recycle cans and bottles and even make some money back to put in that piggy bank.  Used water bottles can also still be reused as water bottles, and used clothes are still good clothes.  Even if you don’t fit them or wear them anymore, someone else might.  There are lots of thrift stores and used clothing stores like Savers or Goodwill that you can score cool clothes at a very low price.  Get clothes, save money, and help the environment at the same time.

      Another thing you can do is get active in your community.  Start small with things like picking up trash when you see it.  It can’t pick itself up and don’t count on someone else to do it for you.  There are beach cleanups and stream cleanups around the island and if there aren’t any in your area or the places you like to go then start your own.  If you and your friends enjoy hiking a certain trail, then maybe, once a month spread the word and have a trail cleanup day to keep the places you like clean.  And if people ask you what you are doing, tell them.  Educate them and get them involved.  If a lot of people just did a little it would amount to a lot and every little bit helps.

      We all can make a difference in this world.  We just need to care enough to do something.  By each of us conserving our resources, reusing and recycling, and actively do our part in our communities, we can make an exponential difference in saving the environment.  We need to take care of the earth so it can take care of us.