Earth Day

By Joshua Corcuera

Yesterday, April 22, I noticed that Google had some sort of doodle, but not really the traditional Google Doodle—it is a realistic satellite picture of a mountain in 1986 and in 2020. The 1986 satellite image of the mountain shows that the summit is filled with snow. After 34 years, the top of the mountain is barely covered by snow as if it was implying that they have melted in the span of merely three decades. When I clicked on the picture, I found out that it was Earth Day based on the information provided—to be candid, I cannot think too much of the world recently as I have to focus on academic requirements.

Climate change and its effects would appear once you click the Doodle—which is really a past and present satellite picture for a mountain—for April 22. The United Nations summarized the effects of climate change into these two sentences:

Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature. This poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth.

From the picture of a mountain showing its once snow-capped summit almost gone at present, it is not surprising that the world is getting warmer. Moreover, the fact that icebergs in the poles are melting more frequently is another sign that temperatures are indeed getting higher. Plus, wildfires are becoming common in Europe and North America—I wrote an article about a wildfire in Canada just a few months ago (during the second half of 2021, if my mind serves me right).

Now, what are the consequences of warmer temperatures? Changing weather patterns that can affect nature, mostly for the worse. Weren’t you surprised, dear reader, that Typhoon Agaton hit the country this April? It is abnormal for a storm to hit our country this time of the year. Yet, it is not only in the Philippines where weather patterns are changing—it is observed elsewhere. Due to such changes, humans and other life forms such as plants and animals have to struggle with such conditions.

The United Nations also enumerated other effects such as more severe storms and increased drought, which by the way can impact not only farmers but also food security of entire societies. The Philippines is no stranger to such disasters which is why we should play an active role in mitigating the effects of climate change.

UN ActNow enumerated actions on how to deal with climate change:

1. Save energy at home – electricity is mostly generated by coal and oil which is detrimental to the environment. Thus, energy-efficient appliances were recommended to use less energy.
2. Walk, cycle, or take public transport – obviously, this can help limit vehicles on the road as well as emissions of greenhouse gases. Moreover, this can help one’s health and fitness as well.
3. Eat more vegetables – meat and dairy have a higher environmental impact, said UN ActNow, and plant-based foods generally lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions as well as less energy, water, and land requirements.

Aside from the actions enumerated above, it is important to hold businesses and governments accountable. After all, they play a huge part in addressing problems regarding the environment. While we must do our fair share, the same applies to larger entities—some of which have been controversial for allegedly impacting the environment negatively (e.g. mining companies).

Altogether, Earth Day reminds us to take care of this planet by changing our habits for the better. Otherwise, a darker future lies ahead for all of us and for future generations yet to be born.