The document discusses numerous environmental problems facing the planet, including animal extinction, deforestation, pollution, and climate change. It argues that while some environmental issues seem out of individual control, everyday activities like waste reduction and recycling can make a difference. The document provides tips for reducing waste and pollution, such as setting up compost bins, separating recyclables, using public transportation, and properly disposing of hazardous chemicals. It emphasizes that while plans to address environmental problems have been proposed, individual action is still needed to protect the planet.

1. SAVE THE PLANET
Our planet is in great danger. For the last one hundred or so
years, the people of earth have wasted and misused the natural
recourses of earth. It does not take a genius to realize what is
happening in the environment. Animal species are becoming
extinct. The rainforests are slowly being destroyed. The air
quality is getting worse. The hurricanes are becoming more
frequent and stronger. Flashfloods all over the world are
becoming more often. More people are getting sick and dying
from lung diseases. These are events that we must all take
seriously because they all affect us. We cannot say that the
destruction of our environment does not affect us because we
all breathe the same air. We all enjoy the same beaches. We
all drink the same water. We all step on the same land mass.
We may not be aware but all the things we do have an impact in
the environment. When we travel from one place to another by
plane we consume energy which affects the environment. Once
we throw empty bottles of water and other garbage on the
streets we pollute our environment. When we neglect to turn off
the lights and other appliances we consume energy which also
affects the environment. When we fail to segregate and recycle
our garbage we become direct participants in the killing of our
environment.

2. Environmental problems have become so complex that many individuals
feel they can have no effect on them. Problems like oil spills, hazardous
waste, loss of rain forests, endangered species, acid rain, the ozone layer,
the municipal waste crisis can feel out of our control. At the very least,
these problems require group and corporate action or government
intervention. However, there are some things the individual can control.
Our waste reduction and recycling activities can make a difference. That's
why so many communities began voluntary recycling programs.
There are some household items that are dangerous if they are just
thrown away with the regular garbage these items can damage the
environment and injure plant and animal life some of these may include
moth balls, spot removers, aerosol cans, fluorescent light tubes and shoe
polish. Your local waste management agency has information on how to
properly dispose of these items.
A compost bin may be set up in your yard. Compost bins return plant and
some food materials to the soil through decomposition so it can be used
as a natural soil additive, called compost. Compost improves soil texture,
increases the ability of soil to absorb oxygen and water. Compost also
suppresses weed growth and reduces the need to add chemicals and
pesticides to plants, which may be harmful to the environment.
Keeping recycle bens in the kitchen may help to stop people from
accidentally throwing into the trash an item that could have been recycled.
Some recyclable items include glass, paper, and most types of mettle.
You want to be sure that glass, paper and mettle are all separated into
different bins. Once these bins are full of recyclable materials they can be
given to your local recycle center.
Solar panels are a series of mirrors that transform sunlight into solar
energy. Solar energy can help heat water and power home appliances.
Solar energy is a great source of clean, non-polluting energy.

3. The home is not the only place where people can pitch in and help the
environment. School playgrounds can use recyclable materials for play
equipment and to make the play ground safe for the children. Old rubber
tires can be made into a recreation area where kids can crawl in and out.
Sports coaches may also use old tires, by having the kids run through
them, to test the kids stamina and agility. Jungle gyms, slides and swing
sets can be made from recycled mettles.
The school and public libraries are great examples of the reuse of
materials. Books can be barrowed, read and returned instead of everyone
who wants to read a certain book going and purchasing a copy. The reuse
of these books saves thousands of trees that would be used to make
copies of books. The library also offers computers that can be used for
research, by using the Internet, by taping the local or global newspaper
web sites and other research centers around the world. Receiving
information through the Internet saves paper and energy consumption is
reduced.
By taking school buses or car pools to school instead of individual
vehicles, students can not only save fuel but also reduce both traffic and
air pollution. People may also try to invest in electronic vehicles, which do
not pollute. People should make sure to keep maintenance up on their
vehicles to prevent unnecessary toxins from entering the environment.
The idea of a landfill is a great one, but it won’t work if people continue to
believe it is a place for all trash. A landfill is a big divot dug out of the earth
for garbage disposal.
We need to make sure we don’t put chemicals or non-biodegradable
substances into these landfills because they are harmful to plants and
animals, they may also contaminate our drinking water. A few of these
chemicals include antifreeze, insecticide, batteries and Styrofoam, for
proper disposal of these items contact your local waste management
agency.

4. We can help, over the last twenty to thirty years we have been trying
everything in our power to conserve energy and natural resources, many
plans have been developed as to what should be done all of which are very
good ones. The problem with these plans is that not everyone contributes
to the efforts to reduce pollution and waste, in fact most of the people I
know believe recycling is a waste of time and they by themselves cannot
make the difference. However, it is still important that we don’t quit. If
only every one in every home would decide to do their part and help to
keep our air clean, our water unpolluted and our wild life safe. The Earth
is our home and we need to protect it.