The Rainforest. Its gotta stop.

Sorry if I veered off course, it seems the best way to help this kid would be for us grown ups on here and everywhere else give her a little less to worry about by actually DOING SOMETHING BEFORE IT'S HER PROBLEM. I am by no means an environmentalist, but I do know how to take care of my own messes. Never heard of this place, guess maybe because I live on the other side of the continent
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I believe even if you THINK the enviroment is safe from us that you still TRY to take care of it, because some day it MAY be too late to do so.

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~Native American Proverb"
 
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Mostly expense and difficulty.

You can't just throw 50 types of plastic into a single vat and expect to get usable end product. Not all plastic types are compatible, and there are also safety issues involved with the chemical reactions, so on, so forth.

Plus actually gathering and filtering the plastics is a gargantuan undertaking, especially if you want to put forth any effort into not wiping out what marine life manages to survive there.

Most of the plastic is in such small pieces that you'd need something finer than cheesecloth to do a descent strain, which means you are wiping out algae and other microorganisms that are the most basic parts of the ocean food chain (and the source of most of the planet's oxygen supply as well).

In short, sadly, it's past the point where we could just reclaim and recycle. If only the folks 20 years ago had listened. Now, all we can do is try to stop it from getting worse. Right now the problem is growing far faster than any means we have of cleaning it. It's like trying to shovel a sidewalk during white-out conditions.


The 'reclaim and recycle' idea will be the eventual solution, but it will take time, and before it can work, the dumping has to stop. Which does mean that there must be some restrictions placed on businesses that otherwise will try to shore up their bottom lines by taking the cheap methods of disposal.

And it also means that littering laws will have to be enforced.

One good thing you can do for the environment is purchase a taser, go to the beach, and target everyone who leaves their trash (including cigarette butts) anywhere other than an appropriate receptacle.
 
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Cindiloohoo- Don't feel bad about not having heard of it. A lot of people haven't. I only mentioned it because it was something that made a big impression on me when I heard about it. It is only one example among many of what we are doing to the planet. I say that as a person that was never an "earth hugger" type. It concerns me. I think the OP being interested in environmental issues is a great thing. In my opinion, we all should be.
 
I think we all should be too, as long as things don't get out of control. I know politicians lie for a dolla
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I just like proof....maybe I should live in the "show me" state
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But, yeah very interesting, and I recycle everything I can, and other people's junk too. If only everyone would..........
 
I think it is fair to say that no matter where you come down on the current environmental situation we all need to be good stewards of the planet God has given us. It just makes sense to treat it as well as we can.

If I was to recommend anything for this young person it would be to not to spin your wheels like many environmentalists do. What we really need is great scientists. It is easy to protest this and that but the real progress is going to be made by engineers, biologists and chemists. If you really want to change things build more efficient vehicles or new forms of cheap and clean energy. There are people who spend their lives complaining about problems and there are people who do something about them. Be a doer.

I would also agree that as was said earlier your life will be more adversely effected by the loss of freedom in this country and the world than it likely ever will by changes in the environment so it is worth keeping in perspective as you pursue your other goals.

A strong country with a strong economy has a much better ability to invest and create technology that will change the world.

Just my .02
 
Hello safarichick -just do 'the next right thing' -which sounds like prepare for an education/career in a science YOU think would be helpful to our Earthmother; school counselors will be helpful as peviously suggested. Meanwhile just do small things daily that fill your heart with gladness - recycle when you can; help with de-trashifying;be fearless in looking at both sides of eco issues and be able to support YOUR own educated opinions(you are entitled to them); get to know others who have ideas similar to yours for support; pray for situations you have no control over( there are many things that fit in that category). Keep reaching out - your elders do hear you! Don't be discouraged - we are not all destined to do great things - there is a great quote by Helen Keller to take to heart..."I long to accomplish a great and noble task - but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." Do what you can do, WELL! and pat yourself on the back for caring.
 
AMEN^^^^ That's one thing that worries me. If I may make a suggestion to the OP. If it's feasible for your family, homeschool, so you can research and focus on your interests. If you are in your teens, and I'm assuming here, you could have a business on the side at your age even to reclaim from landfills, scrap metal recycling, etc. etc. before you are even out of high school. If it bothers you that much, do something, and don't lewt anyone tell you your age has any limitations!!
 
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Actually, I'd advise just the opposite.

Go to public school. Find like-minded individuals and help them create even more like-minded individuals. Use the school to help organize litter clean-ups and other activities that actually do something other than 'raise awareness'. Educate people on the facts, rather than the hyperbole and propaganda often used, and show people just how easy it can be to make a real, noticeable difference in your community.

People are already aware. They just often don't care. It's easier to just toss an empty water bottle over one's shoulder than it is to walk another 50' to a trash can. Few think beyond what affects them personally.
 

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