Sustainable Future

 

  Growing population and growth in economy led people to consume more than the past causing lots of problems like air pollution, climate change, and lack of resources. It has made imbalance between what nature replenishes and humans consume. One of the most critical factors that influence Earth is increase of carbon dioxide in the air which harms both planet and people. Individually, we can reduce the carbon emissions by using public transportation instead of using cars. Internationally, increasing certified forests which helps purify the air will help reduce CO2.  

 

This graph shows the growth of Annual Carbon Emissions by region 



 

First, we can lower carbon emissions by using public transportation. Growth in economy allowed more people to have their own cars. Furthermore, some of the people or families own more than one car. Gas emissions from cars are the main culprit of air pollution. For this reason, use of cars should be reduced. Taking public transportations like buses and subways is one way. Since in our country, Korea, public transportation system is well organized, it is easy for people to use daily. Also, riding bicycles or walking to nearby destination is another way of not using cars. It not only helps to lower carbon emissions but also makes you healthier by exercising!

 

Increasing certified forests is another way to lower CO2 in the air. Trees provide oxygen and purify the air. However, people indiscriminately cutdown trees for their luxury goods, more than they need. For example, cutting down lots of trees in the rain forests is causing severe problems. Since it is commonly described as ‘lungs of the world’, it plays a big role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing clean oxygen into the air. Therefore, deforestation of this rain forest effects not only the people living in that area, but the whole world. So by certifying forests, logging will be regulated which will reduce the trees that are indiscriminately cutdown. It will help to reduce carbon emissions.

 

There are lots of ways to lower carbon in the air like not using cars much and increasing certified forests. However, even people know the ways to lower the carbon dioxide, they tend not to follow the solution. People should be more aware of the problems that are caused by CO2 before it gets worse. More people needs to understand the gravity of the situation that CO2 brings and make an effort to reduce carbon emissions.