The Earth Day is coming, reminding us of this huge planet we have in our hands. The decisions we make now will reflect on our planet's future, and this planet is definitely calling for help. Changes all over the world have been too evident for us to pretend we do not see them. It is not just the endangered species, or the climate changes, or the droughts and floods, as separately elements. There is no such thing as separate events when it comes to nature. It is the entire planet showing the results of years of carelessness from our part.
Everywhere we look, there is something in need of help. The quality of our air is increasingly worst, and because of our toxic gases emissions, the climate is changing radically and affecting ecosystems all over the globe. Our forests are been devastated in an appalling pace leaving many species without their habitat. In addition, forests protect the soil from erosion, produce oxygen, store CO2, provide food, and help regulating the climate. They are essential, but that does not stop big companies from destroying them. Wetlands also suffer from our actions. Rubbish dumping is a common practice, polluting the land, infiltrating in the soil and, consequently, affecting streams and rivers. Everything we do on land affects Earth's water supply. They are intrinsically connected. All life on Earth depends, in some level, on the health of rivers and ocean.
If you think grasslands are simple ecosystems which wouldn't be easily affected, think again. First and foremost, it protects the soil. Furthermore, its ecosystems depend on it to survive. Think of lions without their savanna. The same works for prairies and steppes. But they are been greatly threatened by agricultural intensification. Even the deserts, which seem so unaffected, are facing several problems, including increase of droughts, fires, and contamination due to potassium cyanide used in gold mining. Deserts have a fragile balance and even the slightest change affects its plants and animals.
So, take advantage of the fact that we have two big celebrations coming up, the Earth Day on March and on April, 22th, and make it Earth Day everyday in your small but important actions. Help other people save life on the fast diminishing ice, or take part in campaigns to clean rivers, save endangered species, get sea life back to its ideal balance, protect islands unique biodiversity, among others. There is so much to be done and the clock is ticking! It is a sad irony to think we live on a planet covered with so much water and we are about to face water shortage...