The EE Sampler - Jefferson County Public Schools

Do you hear the noise?
By Vanessa Hicks
There’s no time to stop and find a trash can. I’ve got to make it to
the movies by 9:30. It couldn’t possibly hurt for me to throw this burger
wrapper and French fry canister out the window. The city is so big, and
these two little things cannot possibly hurt it that much…could they?
The answer to this question is: yes, it does hurt. It makes a huge
difference. Think of it this way: if everyone in the entire city of Louisville decided to go outside their houses
at the same time and scream at the top of their lungs, the sound would be so loud, you probably couldn’t
hear anything else. Now, if every now and again, a person thinks that throwing a piece of litter out of the
car window isn’t going to hurt, they are wrong. That is like saying when all the people go outside and
scream at the same time, no noise would be heard.
I honestly can admit that I used to be one of those people that believed that a little litter now and
then couldn’t possibly hurt anyone. However, my experiences in environmental education have changed
my views tremendously. There is no way for us to undo any damage that we do to the earth. Therefore, it
is our responsibility to make sure that we all are doing our part to keep the earth as clean and livable as
possible; not just for ourselves, but for the people living here now, and those who will live here in the future.
In conclusion, be sure that you are doing your part, if not for yourself,
then for your children and their children, grandparents, and brothers and sisters.
When you feel like you won’t have time to find a trash can to dispose of your litter
properly, just think about this question: Where will you live if the earth becomes so
polluted that it is unlivable? The answer is nowhere.
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