It is true: man may only be a mall dot in the vast universe and in this huge world but with his intelligence and resourcefulness, he has done a great job in improving life on Earth - and in destroying it too. Human activities such as burning large amounts of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas and extensive deforestation have caused an exaggerated greenhouse effect resulting in an abnormal increase in the world's surface temperature known as global warming.

A recent report of the Science Journal said the number of hurricanes and typhoons has sharply increased over the past few decades due to the constant climate change. Here in. the Philippines, the supertyphoons which have hit the country this year have caused loss of lives and extensive destruction. The most fatal and destructive supertyphoons, "Milenyo," "Paeng," "Reming" have killed an estimated 1,293 people, left 389 missing and 1,601 injured. The typhoons damaged P6.4 billion in agricultural crops, P2.9 billion worth of public works, 625,774 houses and a number of fishing boats.

But the sad reality is that, said Greenpeace, more violent weather events could be expected as a dire consequence of continuing climate change. As global temperature rise, the intensity of extreme weather events is likely to increase, and it is possible that in the near future, the impact of these events will become even greater.

This adverse effect of constant climate change is felt not only here in the country but across the world. Scientists report melting sea ice around the North Pole, shriveling glaciers in Greenland and Europe, retreating permafrost in Siberia and the progressive acidification of the sea from atmospheric carbon dioxide. Moreover, surface temperatures are rising by about 0.2°C (0.35°F) every decade, causing ocean levels to rise and flooding coastal areas. Experts say that even this small rise in temperature can be accompanied by frequent changes in climate, the consequences of which could vary from disruptive to catastrophic for millions of people dependent on weather patterns.

What is happening in the world right now is not normal. Are you not alarmed of the anticipated tragedy that may beset us? Perhaps this warning about a global environment catastrophe may not affect our generation but our children or grandchildren's generation.

The whole world must act. United States, China and India, the powerhouse of nations should support the campaign for global solution. These highly developed countries must take the lead in seeking solution to the worsening problem of global warming.

The Philippine government ought to invest heavily in developing renewable energy sources and avoid sole dependence on coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. The country should also harness renewable and sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind power to avert the disastrous economic brunt of climate change.

As students, we should take part too. Besides, more heads are better than one. We should be fully aware of the issues that concern the environment and make sure that we are not degrading this beautiful home that God made for us. We can join school organizations like Youth for Environment and Science Organization and help in promoting environmental awareness among students. And most of all, we must instill in our minds the word discipline. We ought to realize that even a small candy wrapper we throw on the street can contribute to the clogging of canals and cause floods.

Every one of us should keep in mind that Mother Earth cannot abide forever. It cannot provide us our basic needs forever for someday will come when this habitat shall perish. I may have feeble voice compared to those of big powers but if together, we take the lead in conserving our planet and contribute to the betterment of our society, we may be able to avoid the global environment catastrophe not only for us but for the generation to come.

The writer is a high school senior and an opinion writer of her school paper, The NEWSETTE.

Paper Boats Those paper boats

They sail so fast
Down the stream
In my night's dream.
Swift with the current goes
Those paper sails like prose
Some of them weathered
In my sight, they disappeared.
I wonder what they meant
And where they went
Dozens and dozens of them
So vivid and real in my dream.

Andrew V.

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