Yzzabel Denise. L. Tolentino
We may not notice it but climate change at present has becoming worse as it is. We
humans, who are the main reason why this environmental problem is happening, seem to not
care and just live to our lives while getting benefits by causing destruction to our environment.
We are becoming self-centered and ignore what Mother Earth has been trying to call for help.
The ozone is depleting, more trees are cut down, emissions of harmful greenhouse gases are
increasing. But beyond all of these, what do we do? We keep silent and just don’t care.
It is really saddening that what actually harms the world we live in is also us. Us, who
should be the first one to give love and protection to the place where we live. Us, who should
not be taking for granted what our dear environment offers. Instead of giving back to nature
because of its gifts humanity, we become blind and deaf about the environmental problem we
should be finding a solution. We are contributing backwards against nature. We worsen the
problem rather than resolving it.
Mining is one of the things that makes our world suffer. Although we know that it gives
advantages to us such as economic incomes because of enormous earnings by exportation and
private contracts, job opportunities for locals, and extraction of essential resources, it also brings
disadvantages like contamination of the natural environment, pollution such as contaminated
water sources which is a counter-effect against agriculture, destruction of ecosystems, and
chemical poisoning of people nearby. Therefore, to put mining’s cons in a nutshell, its practice is
a main contributor to climate change because of the huge diesel trucks and loaders running
around which leads to carbon dioxide emission. Mining may build and expand road developments
but because of numerous cutting down of trees, it reduces the value trees are having on their
absorption of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
It is an undeniable fact that mining affects our world immensely and we just ought not to
demonize its exercise while its advantages are constantly enjoyed by the large majority of people.
Therefore, we should be reminded about what Pope Francis has mention in his encyclical letter
that caring for the environment can be an act of love which expresses our own dignity. As
mentioned in Laudato Si’ #24, caring for the Earth is ending environmental or climate change.
Therefore, we should stop the gravity of neglect and inaction and start to find appropriate
solutions and act together and in agreement. In addition to, Pope Francis mentioned to break
free from fossil fuels and stop the use of highly polluting fossil fuels and replace gas without
delay. Pope Francis’ call for action should be considered by the government as well and be
emphasized for there is an urgent need in developing policies concerning carbon dioxide
emissions in order to reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gases and other highly polluting
gases. According to him policies to be developed can be about the substitution of fossil fuels and
development of sources of renewable energy.
Our actions towards a healthier environment can actually start with our homes, our
communities to our institutions. Therefore, before our dear Mother Earth dies due to its suffering
from us humans, it is now time to hear her voice and cooperatively divest, re-channeling our rich
sources for the benefit of both our environment and society, contributing to an investment
focused on both humans and environment in order for our resources to handicap the profitdriven supremacies of humanity.