The Sunday Mail
By Applaude Masuka and Tariro Magorimbo
O level, St Mary’s High School
Yes! What about them? Aren’t they also creations of the same God? Shouldn’t we safeguard them? Really, what about them?
There is startling evidence that the rate of consumption of the planet’s resources is now unsustainable and possibly at tipping point where the earth’s natural regenerative capacity would be lost forever.
Our long pending desire has been fulfilled today by this opportunity we have been given. So, why not use it usefully?
How blessed is mother earth being blessed by all these natural wonders, yet we cannot take responsibility as stewards of these resources. The constitution states in section 73(Environmental Rights) subsection 1
1. That every person has the right to an environment that is harmless. It also states that we are supposed to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation.
2. Promote conservation and
3. Secure ecological sustainable development and the use of natural resources while promoting economic and social development.
Having said that, being sustainable is to use less of what we have to produce more without imposing negative effects on the environment. Poisonous gases from manufacturing industries are released into the atmosphere leading to global warming and climate changes. The global warming discovered by scientists is now depleting the ozone layer, we the humans being the mutilators.
In the agricultural sector, there is too much carelessness, contributing to the degradation of land. People have also taken farming on river banks which eventually results in the decrease of water levels. Trees and vegetation are essential for the protection of our environment, lives, wildlife species, yet we just cut down and do not care to afforestrate.
Poacher now own our game parks, killing special species, to be specific , elephants, only tusks being the gain. This results in the decrease of the elephant population, again, we the humans being the mutilators.
Car exhausts contain large amounts of nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide. The two gases threaten our ozone layer. The gases not only threaten the ozone but also our lives, plants and animals. Many factories are dumping chemicals in rivers causing destruction to aquatic life.
Our natural resources can either be replaced or restored but often, it needs our commitment. We have often been extremely wasteful, or careless about the way we have exploited our natural resources. Trees have been mercilessly cut down, natural gases burnt off, and rivers have been used as dumping grounds for industrial waste and heavily overfished. This all has bad effects on our lives and resources. We cannot afford to be careless and wasteful as we see the unwelcome results of the misuse of these natural resources.
The crush of trees, the rustle of leaves, the pattering of rain, the rumbles of earth, the cracking of fire and the small creeping creatures. The trees are down, the grass is burnt, the creatures are dying when we are just watching. Then, as supernatural beings, what example are we setting? As advocates of the environment, we appeal for your responsibility. Together, you and us, let’s make the world a better place for us and the entire universe.
