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Why Care About Our Planet?

Introduction

We have a moral obligation to protect the Earth. However, the question of why we

should care about our planet is becoming increasingly urgent in light of the growing impacts

of climate change. We should care about our world since the implications of not doing so are

severe, as the two articles argue. They present excellent arguments, and I agree that we must

take steps to safeguard Earth. In her piece "We Are the Wildfire: How to Fight the Climate

Crisis," Naomi Klein writes about the critical need to tackle climate change. It is essential to

consider both the widely reported bad news about climate change and its terrible implications

and the less-publicized good information about inventive solutions to the problem. “Should

We Be More Optimistic about Fighting Climate Change?” is a thought-provoking look at the

critical need to combat climate change. The possibilities for a sustainable and fair future and

the terrible facts of climate change inspire the urgency to care about our world.

Reading 1 - We Are the Wildfire: How to Fight the Climate Change (p.294)

By emphasizing the magnitude and speed of environmental change, Klein emphasizes

the terrible reality of climate change. The pace of ocean warming is 40 percent more than

what the United Nations had forecast. According to research by glaciologist Jason Box, the

Arctic is changing drastically from its condition in the 20th century (Klein, p.294). These

shocking data show that climate change is not some distant possibility but a here-and-now

danger. To paraphrase Klein: "Oceans are warming 40% faster than the United Nations

expected five years ago," which is undeniable evidence that our world is experiencing an
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urgent catastrophe that requires immediate response (Klein, p.294). To underline the need to

care for our planet, it is crucial to recognize the seriousness of the current situation.

Protesting students' "There is no planet B!" signs become more than just catchphrases; they

serve as a stark reminder that our present course is unsustainable (Klein).

When we contemplate the generational obligation and accountability that we, as world

stewards, have, the urgency of tackling climate change becomes even more apparent.

Students worldwide on strike for climate change symbolize a generation that will inherit an

earth in jeopardy. They are the pioneers in facing climate change head-on rather than as a

theoretical possibility. Previous generations' activities have contributed to the environmental

problems they now confront. Using the phrase, "As they flooded out of classrooms in small

rivulets, burbling with delight and defiance at an act of truancy," Klein emphasizes the

resilience and strength of today's youth in the face of environmental issues. This new

generation has assumed leadership, pressing previous generations to acknowledge their

complicity in the present climate problem. They question the established order and urge

others to fix the broken things.

As "the house is on fire," a metaphor for the approaching climate crisis, Klein stresses

that it is the responsibility of all generations to put out the fire (Klein, p.294). We are

responsible to the next generation to keep the Earth habitable for them. Care for the Earth and

efforts to keep it livable is a responsibility that spans generations.

The climate problem is urgent, but if we care for our planet, we can create a more stable

and fair world for future generations. By referencing a "Green New Deal" in the title of her

book, Klein implies that doing something about climate change might be a chance to make

positive changes in the economy and society. Creating jobs, decreasing inequalities, and

making the world healthier are all possible as we transition to a more sustainable society

(Klein, p.294). Using the template, we get to "THERE IS NO PLANET B!". Do not BURN
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OUR FUTURE," we may see that environmental sustainability is inextricably linked to future

generations' prosperity (Klein, p.294). We must address the climate problem in a way that

benefits everyone everywhere.

Reading 2: Should We Be More Optimistic about Fighting Climate Change?

Climate change is quickly becoming one of the world's most pressing public health

concerns. As Alice Chen and Vivek Murthy pointed out, mental illness, violence, starvation,

and chronic diseases like heart and lung disorders are generally the first things that come to

mind when addressing severe health concerns. However, climate change is quickly rising to

the top of the public health priority list. The article argues that this topic is crucial since it

directly affects our health and happiness.

Sustainable goods are becoming increasingly popular, with market research firm

Nielsen projecting that 25% of all retail sales in the United States will be sustainable goods

by 2021. These goods are anticipated to perform better than their conventional counterparts

and will also help reduce global warming. This exemplifies how one's lifestyle decisions may

affect the planet's health. Our individual and collective choices have far-reaching

consequences on the natural world. The article suggests those who switch to sustainable items

like are helping to create a more sustainable future. Although the odds are stacked against

success, Chen and Murthy argue that "where there is danger, there is also opportunity" (Chen

& Murthy, p. 309).

Everyone feels the effects of climate change when natural disasters like hurricanes,

wildfires, and floods strike. As an illustration, the article describes how the Camp Fire, the

most destructive wildfire in California's history, affected the state and its residents. The

reading emphasizes that over half of Americans have seen climate change's effects firsthand,

from natural catastrophes to disruptions in e-commerce, retail sales, and the economy

affecting people's everyday lives. It emphasizes how climate change and daily life are
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interconnected, with profound implications that do not only hit everyone. It is not only

several people experiencing the effects of climate change; as Chen and Murthy note (p. 309),

"almost half of Americans (46%) indicated they have personally felt the effects of climate

change."

The article calls on the audience to maintain a positive outlook. Recently, there have

been notable breakthroughs in combating climate change. In the United States, renewable

energy sources have become more economical and adopted than traditional coal and

petroleum. The energy sector is undergoing a significant change that will have positive

economic effects and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Additionally, several

industries and businesses are leading the way in sustainability efforts. For instance, more than

two-hundred suppliers have signed on to Walmart's Project Gigaton to help reduce

greenhouse gas emissions (Chen & Murthy, p. 309). The reading also provides several case

studies of environmentally conscious corporations, including Tide, Anheuser-Busch, Kellogg,

and Unilever. These actions represent a turning point toward a greener, more sustainable

future.

Conclusion

The world already feels the implications of climate change, which will only worsen. If

people act now, they can save the ecosystems, enhance human health and happiness, and

stabilize the economy. To ensure a brighter future, people must take seriously the duty to

protect and save the planet. The readings urge everyone to recognize the power of their

choices and the opportunities for transformation. They emphasize that citizens combat

climate change and create a sustainable and optimistic future with communal efforts and

individual actions.
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Works Cited

Chen, Alice, and Vivek Murphy. “Should We Be More Optimistic about Fighting Climate

Change?” Harvard Business Review, 16 Sept. 2019, https://hbr.org/2019/09/should-we-

be-more-optimistic-about-fighting-climate-change Accessed 14 Oct. 2023.

Klein, Naomi. ““We Have a Once-In-Century Chance”: Naomi Klein on How We Can Fight

the Climate Crisis.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 14 Sept. 2019,

www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/14/crisis-talk-green-new-deal-naomi-klein

Accessed 14 Oct. 2023.