All over social media there are people talking about the fact that they only get one life or “YOLO,” yet rarely, if ever, is it mentioned that society only gets one earth. This is because there is a tendency to think in the present and about instant gratification with little to no emphasis on the potential long term consequences for the present and future generations. It is easier to point the finger and blame the past generations for the state of the environment than to make personal changes no matter how minor the changes may be. The problem with this mindset it that there are consequences and, the longer that society turns its head, the worse these consequences will become. At this point, the changes cannot simply be minor. There must be drastic changes in the society in order to protect the planet and sustain life for all of humanity. It is important that the planet is protected from the mindless actions of an entitled generation. The landfills are full and the wastefulness is overwhelming. This amount of waste has caused pollution, not only in the landfills, but also in the air and the oceans.
The landfills do not simply dissolve the waste. When the food and papers are thrown into the garbage bag and placed into the cans for disposal, they do not magically disappear in when they are collected by the sanitary trucks. The waste does not simply disappear. Yet, according to Hird (2013), most people simply throw away garbage and then forget about it. The problem with this attitude is that the land cannot simply forget. The author calls landfills “living natural flows where multitudes of bacteria collaborate with human debris and geological forces in creating assemblages of known, unknown, and unknowable entities” (Hird, 2013, pg. 105). This means that all of the waste that is thrown into the landfills grows harmful bacteria. This is then absorbed into the soil and ruins the environment. Not only does the visual land become full of trash, the soil and vegetation needed to sustain the ecosystem is also ruined through this collection of human waste.
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Of course, some of the waste is biodegradable, but this does not mean that there is no pollution from this process. When something is either absorbed by the soil or released into the air, it is still actively affecting the environment. In fact, the very methane gases that are considered responsible for global warming, are leaking from the landfills into the air (Titans of Trash, 2005). This means that even the best case scenario whereas the waste is eliminated through natural processes, the air and atmosphere are suffering. McConnell (2011) adds that the air pollution is so toxic that it is known to cause multiple health conditions, especially in those who live near the landfills. These health problems include an increased risk for cancer, respiratory failure, and weakened immune systems (McConnell, 2011). The air, which human beings depend on for survival, is being poisoned by the wastefulness of humanity, itself.
Water, another highly necessary element for survival, is also being polluted by the overload of garbage produced by human beings. This resource is not only necessary on its own, but it also supports the ecosystem through food sources. According to McGowan (2007), not only are the waterways suffering because of the ecosystem issues with land and air pollution, but also directly as the oceans often receive the overflow trash from landfills and irresponsible dumping. McGowan (2007) says that many people feel that, since the oceans are so big, a little bit of garbage will not hurt it. However, the author explains that, if everyone acts on this idea, the oceans would quickly become a wasteland and the human race will greatly suffer. Without proper food sources that come from the oceans, many species will also suffer. The oceans and waterways are crucial to survival for all of the planet.
This pollution must stop and, fortunately, many communities are on the right track. Tal (2006) reports that there is an average of 1.53 kg. of waste per person per day and this number is much higher in wealthier communities. However, the author also notes that there is an increase of nearly 20 percent of this being recycled since the 1990s. Yet, this is not enough. Recycling must become the norm in order to save the planet. This will require many more recycling facilities and legislative actions to require recycling. This will also require a change in the attitude in society. There is only one earth. It is the responsibility of the human race to stop wasting and start protecting the very resources that sustain its survival. Recycle bins should be placed in several locations around the community. Separate trach receptacles should be required for home pickup. Fines should be imposed on those who do not recycle. As the society has shown that it will not protect the environment on its own, it must be mandated.
Another way to help the issue of too much garbage is to stop people from being wasteful. Consider how much food is scraped off of plates and put into the garbage bags. Think of all of the items that could be donated or repurposed but people find it easier to just toss them into the bag and send them into the landfills. Tal (2006) suggests that people should be taught how to be less wasteful. Perhaps the communities could host seminars and donation centers to avoid this unnecessary waste. This would involve teaching the general population how to properly store leftovers, avoid overcooking, and not purchasing more than can be used prior to the expiration date. Many people are unaware of these simple ways to reduce the amount of waste they produce and do not consider this to be a major problem in the world. Large items should be costly to send to the landfills because some part of them could likely be repurposed. This must be a community wide effort in all communities. After all, everyone is dependent on the earth.
In closing, everything and everyone is dependent upon the survival of this one planet earth. This reality should be the primary concern of all of society. Sadly, it is not. The wastefulness and irresponsibility has made the land unsightly and unable to sustain many of the necessary vegetation for continued survival. The air has become hazardous to the environment and has caused many health issues for the general population. The water has become dirty and this has become harmful to many of the species that are necessary for the survival of the ecosystems. It is very clear that, without intervention, this planet will not be able to continue to support human life. These interventions must be mandated because society has not taken the initiative nor the responsibility to do this on their own. Recycling bins should be placed in every community and their use should be required by law. Fines should be charged when people have excessive waste or do not recycle. Communities should encourage donations and repurposing as well as host seminars to teach the general population how to minimize waste. This must be a collective effort. There is only one planet earth and everyone needs to protect the land, air, and oceans in order for it to survive.
- HIRD, M. J. (2013). WASTE, LANDFILLS, AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHIC OF VULNERABILITY. Ethics & The Environment, 18(1), 105-124.
- McConnell, S. (2011, March 20). Trash, toxic emissions up at local landfills. Times-Tribune, The (Scranton, PA).
- McGowan, E. (2007). Trash is imperiling the oceans, scientist says. Waste News, 13(4), 7.
- Tal, D. (2006). 23 percent of all refuse was recycled in 2005: In the early 1990s, only 3% of refuse was recycled and 97% was sent to landfills. Globes (Israel),
- Titans of Trash. (2005). Nation, 281(21), 21.
