"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot"
The Vatican under Pope Benedict has recently added some sins for the faithful to be aware of. The sins include "genetic manipulation" (i.e., human cloning and stem-cell research that terminates embryos) and "ecological offenses" against Earth.
Pope Benedict has emphatically embraced environmental protection, stressing that continued climate changes could destroy the human race.
Yes, Earth is experiencing rapid climate and environmental changes by the acts of man: The Arctic ice caps, which reflect some of the sun's rays and limit heating of the oceans, are shrinking at an alarming rate; glaciers are melting; one-fourth of the Amazon rain forest has been lost to deforestation; and animal species are appearing on the endangered list at a troubling rate, as their ecosystems are destroyed by industrialization.
Years ago, when I was a student, I ran a recycling operation at my high school for paper and glass, receiving three presidential awards for my efforts. Profits were used to better the community. I knew back then that people were indifferent about the environment, but I tried to enlightened them to what may happen if all abused this beautiful planet. Now time is running out, and the Earth is dying. Man, sometimes a selfish animal, takes his green planet for granted, destroying the environment and wildlife with little regard for the long-term, negative impact that results.
I agree with Pope Benedict. Until man becomes less selfish, less wasteful and more environmentally conscious, the Earth will die. To quote Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax," a story about deforestation: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better - it's not."
BY CHRISTIAN GATSBY
