The Millennial

My generation is viewed as a long list of stereotypes, such as, being lazy, smartphone addicted zombies. Most people choose to accept this view of the younger generation. This close-mindedness toward many passionate young children is the same close-mindedness that is stifling change from happening in our community, world and environment.

I’m a 17 year old high school student from San Diego, California. Of all the important things in my life, I place the conservation of the ocean and environment at the top of the list. It’s clear to me that the earth is dying—and humankind is at fault.

Every day, I do the most I can to make a difference. While my generation and I often exhibit some of our stereotypes, the last thing we are is careless. Many of us understand the importance of protecting our planet. Our job is to enlist our predecessors and future generations to put real change in motion.

By engaging in this world-wide movement to preserve the environment, small excuses become invalid. They are no good when it comes to facing the world’s biggest issue; there is always something you could be doing to help. From a young age, I knew I wanted to help in any way I could, and as soon as possible. The summer of my freshman year of high school, I was responsible enough to travel outside the country for volunteer purposes. I flew alone to San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, where I was fortunate enough to work with a fantastic group of other high school students. I stayed at the marine-dedicated Gerace Research Center located on one of the island’s beautiful beaches. While earning my advanced scuba diving certification, I got to witness the amazing, untouched environment of San Salvador. This conserved oasis had a total population of less than 1,000 people. I believe the rest of the natural world deserves the same conservation San Salvador receives.

The following summer I traveled to the Big Island of Hawaii for a volunteering and backpacking trip. My group and I did hands-on work in Volcano’s National Park, where we removed harmful invasive species from the protected forests. We were also able to do educational work and inform the public of ways they can aid in ocean conservation efforts. But of course we played just as much as we worked! We got to see amazing sunrises from Waipio and Waimea Valley. We experienced the beautiful results of marine life conservation while promoting awareness and the choice of eco-tourism activities.

Last year, I started volunteering for UCSD’s (University of California, San Diego) Birch Aquarium. During my time there, I have been able to educate local and international visitors of all ages on local ecosystems, biodiversity, and the effects of climate change. My volunteer position has taken me out on the water several times. I get to share information with the public about the gray whale migration and how to safely experience the magnificent creatures.

I’ve had such amazing opportunities to share what I think is important. I feel that the older I get, the more I could be doing to help. Excuses such as age and location are invalid when we think about the bigger picture and the fact that even the “lazy” generation manages to help!

Gaia

When we soak in the sun on the golden sands of our nearest coast, the last thing that comes to mind is the way climate change will soon affect it. This is precisely why it’s the largest problem in our society. The looming threat of our changing environment is rapidly approaching, and most of the world is unaware. In no time at all, those golden sands will be covered by the rising sea levels. If we don’t focus our efforts on slowing the destruction we’ve imposed on the Earth, then there might not be a habitable planet in the future for my generation and the next.

It’s no secret the planet is dying; it’s been proven by the world’s top research schools and scientists. It’s been a year since I began volunteering with San Diego’s Birch Aquarium, a showcase of the research done by marine and earth science research center Scripps Institution of Oceanography. An entire section of the aquarium is dedicated to educating the public on the impending dangers of global warming occurring in the present and near future. Volunteering in this environment peaked my interest in the subject I was already intrigued by. I turned to books and articles to further my knowledge on the environmental issues we face.

I came upon the theory of Gaia which states the Earth is one large functioning organism. This theory, though seemingly far-fetched, can serve as a model to explain our evolving planet. If we were to retreat back to our roots, African history would show that the environment and animal life evolved along with the earliest humans. The land mass sustained itself despite the possible threat of the newly evolved human race. However, when intelligence or curiosity led them to migrate and spread out across the globe, the environments were unprepared for the newcomers; as they had not evolved along with them. Therefore, they could not successfully sustain their environment while supporting humans’ increasing need for resources. The effect of human threats occurred around the world, beginning the downfall of our planet. So are the efforts we make from day to day enough to solve a problem that’s been thousands of years in the making?

To answer this, we must return to the theory of Gaia. The organism is in turmoil and its suffering continuously increases. Like us, our planet is a natural healer. It is able to grow back after wildfires, break through suffocating paved roads, and bounce back from ice ages. Gaia is still alive, but very sick. The cause of her illness is purely human-generated. If we were to slow our destructive habits and increase our sustainability efforts, Gaia may have a chance to heal and breathe new life once again.

What You Can Do:

If the masses were to take advantage of the opportunities we have to live more sustainably, the outcome would be incredibly beneficial. Even the smallest differences are made noticeable the more people participate. Here are some easy ways to help:

Buy Locally!

By buying from local growers and producers at your grocery store or nearest farmer’s market, the less emissions are released from the required long-distance transportation of non-local goods.

Save Energy!

Call and ask your energy provider about greener or clean energy options.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Ditch the plastic and get reusable bags made from recycled material. Keep a few around the house and in the car to use whenever you need.

Spread the Word!

If the world doesn’t work together to participate in saving our home, then our efforts will only go so far. Share the message with everyone you know and whomever you might meet. It’s important for generations to come, and for those other forms of life with which we share the planet.

Giving Back

We are more than capable of making a difference! We need to work together to make these Earth-saving opportunities not just a choice, but rather a priority. There’s so many problems we focus on regarding the news, politics and human rights. But these issues will mean nothing if we can’t save the Earth that they arise upon. They will dissipate along with future generations if we don’t clean up our act. Prioritize giving back to our Mother Nature who has sustained and raised us for thousands of years. It is time to return the favor by sustaining, revitalizing, and healing Gaia.

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Sources:

Crist, Eileen, and H. Bruce. Rinker. Gaia in Turmoil: Climate Change, Biodepletion, and Earth Ethics in an Age of Crisis. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 2010. Print.

Weisman, Alan. The World without Us. New York: Thomas Dunne /St. Martin’s, 2007. Print.

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Author: Zoë Lowther

Editor: Travis May

Images: Author’s Own