Environment

Our planet is facing numerous environmental challenges that require urgent attention. As 11th-grade students, it is crucial for us to understand why the environment should be a top priority. By taking care of our environment, we are not only preserving the natural world but also securing a healthy and sustainable future for ourselves and future generations. 

The environment plays a vital role in supporting and sustaining life on Earth. Our air, water, and soil provide the necessary resources for humans, animals, and plants to thrive. However, due to activities like pollution, deforestation, and overconsumption, these resources are being depleted rapidly. This, in turn, leads to increased health risks, food scarcity, and loss of biodiversity. By prioritizing the environment, we can ensure the availability of clean air, safe water, and fertile soil, essential for our well-being.

Fast Facts

from USAFACTS.org

• Seventy-nine percent of US energy comes from fossil fuels. The share of energy consumption from nuclear and renewable sources has more than doubled since 1980. 

• The average American generated 4.9 pounds of solid trash (food waste, paper, etc.) daily in 2018, up from 3.7 pounds in 1980. 

• Last year, all states, particularly in the Northeast and upper Midwest, were warmer than the 20th-century average. 

• Average US rainfall for the last decade is 3.6% higher than the average rainfall for the previous decade.  Massachusetts had 10+ inches of precipitation above their 20th-century averages.

• 2021 was the sixth-warmest year on record.