When speaking about conserving nature, it really means talking about taking care of the future, because nature provides essential resources for survival and enjoyment. Depending on nature is a big part of reality. 

        Planet Earth is a closed system with limited resources—there is only so much fresh water, clean air, and acres of land for growing food. As the world population grows, finite resources must stretch to serve more and more people. At some point, that will not be possible.

       Being able to help the environment in order to make the world a better place is a very important part of life.

       Laci Sullivan, a junior at Woodland Regional High school, has been helping the environment for as long as she can remember. She says, “Even the littlest things can have a huge impact on helping the environment.”  Laci doesn’t do this alone. She gets help from some of her friends, her parents, and her boyfriend.

       “I love gardening. I have a little garden in my backyard and every summer, me and my mom place some of my favorite flowers such as sunflowers in the garden. I also plant some vegetables such as cucumbers.”

       Laci states, “I always recycle my water bottles. I’m a huge coffee drinker also; I love Dunkin’ so whenever I buy it, I always recycle my cups after finishing my coffee.”

       By reducing air and water pollution and saving energy, recycling offers an important environmental benefit. Recycling reduces emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons that contribute to global climate change. 

       Alexa Ianuccilli, a junior at Vero Beach High School, even makes jewelry as a hobby using leftover bottles of her favorite drink, Peace Tea. She says, “I drink these teas all the time and I decided to find ways to help the environment while adding my own twist to it.”

       Alexa makes multiple necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings using the pull-up part on the top of the bottle. She has been doing this for a couple months but will continue to do so.

       “I have always been a creative person and making jewelry not only for me, but my friends at school and even my mom, makes me a very happy person knowing that I am reusing these pieces for something good in this world.”

       Helping your environment doesn’t have to be the same old boring thing that everyone hears about on the daily. Adding a personal twist to it just like Alexa did will help make the world a better place.

       Lastly, Foran junior Ashley Hoydilla plants a tree every year on Earth Day with her family. She states, “Even though it is only one day out of the whole year, it still helps the environment and that is something that I care about.”

       Ashley and her family have been planting these trees for about three years now. As these trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. 

       Doing the tiniest things to help the environment will have a huge impact on how the world can change into a better place. Even if it’s recycling plastic bottles/cups, making jewelry out of cans, and planting trees, these tiny changes will make the environment better for everyone.