The Cub: Do You Know Where Trash Ends Up?

By C. Fernandes

Right now the world is trying to find solutions to help global warming, litter in the ocean, animals choking on plastic, places filled with trash, et cetera. Do you know why this is happening? Well, when you leave that little chip packet on the floor, that ends up being washed away when it rains and going through pipes and many other places finally reaching the ocean. That one little plastic chip bag could cost an animals life. Did you think of that when you put it there?

Now imagine if you stop. Just one person can make a change and with each one doing their part, just think of how much cleaner our world would be, how many animals' lives we could be saving.

As you may know, global warming is happening and we need to stop it from getting worse. If you do not know what it is, global warming is when so much pollution is produced from gases being released that it forms a carbon dioxide layer around the Earth, trapping the heat from the sun. The problem with this is that it is melting the ice and snow, so thousands of animals are losing their homes. Something that could happen is that, as the ice is melting, polar bears no longer have habitats. The smell of litter on the coasts attract these bears and this could lead to serious attacks due to plastic. So please, help the world!

14 billion pounds of garbage are thrown into the ocean every year. 92% of the world's air is polluted. So we look at these numbers and are like wow that is a big number. Some of us feel like “it is already done and there is no going back.” I agree there is no going back, but what about going to the future and doing simple things that will make a huge difference.

Some things that you can do include: take your own shopping bags to stores (especially food stores), use paper or metal straws instead of plastic, use water bottles that are sturdy (not the plastic ones you buy), recycle material correctly, reuse your things instead of throwing them away, throw things away in the bin not on the floor (if you do not do that you will attract pigeons) and do as many good things you can think of.

In summary, I strongly believe that you should help the Earth. Think of your kids' kids, they will not have a good world if we do not start taking initiative. If your house does not have a recycling bin, ask your parents. Small things can have a great impact on the world!