Tara, laro tayo!

 

If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos. 

– E. O. Wilson  

  

    "Tara, laro tayo sa labas!" Beneath the bright sun with our friends and classmates, we used to run until our breath ran out. On the warm concrete and dirt, we used to jump and dive. However, that bright sun we used to love now burns upon leaving the shade. The yellow light is now a scorching white beam. The warm concrete, which was perfect for lying down, now cooks the soles of our feet.

    Climate change has been a hot topic for years. However, in the Philippines, it's much more. It's a force that degrades the Filipino's lives. Lives that could have been lived better. According to PAGASA, the Philippines experiences an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, and in recent years, these storms have become more powerful and unpredictable. This is devastating, considering that the average global temperature has increased by nearly 1 °C. Sure, 1 may not be much, but on a global scale, it affects not only us but also the natural climate.

    Not only that, another prominent and unsolved problem in the country is pollution. Some used to say that it's natural for you to have a strong immune system. Some promoted being resilient and living with it. However, the air we breathe needs to be fresh, the water we drink and use to bathe needs to be clean, and the land we stand on needs to be free. Resilience alone is insufficient to address pollution. The one who will continue to suffer because of this hardship is humanity.

    So, ask yourself, should we keep on living the same way and let the environment degrade, or should we be disciplined and care for it? Actions as simple as proper waste management, smart transportation use, and efficient electricity consumption can have a great impact. Let us all contribute to a life where "Tara, laro tayo sa labas!" won't be just a nostalgic phrase.

Environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect. 

– Mohith Agadi    

Reference:

PAGASA. (n.d.). https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/information/climate-change-in-the-philippines

Raji, K. (2024, March 4). 4 biggest environmental issues in the Philippines in 2024. Earth.Org. https://earth.org/environmental-issues-in-the-philippines/

Zafar, S. (2024, December 19). 15 inspirational quotes on the environment | EcoMENA. EcoMENA. https://www.ecomena.org/inspirational-quotes-environment/

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