Deforestation, climate change, pollution and overconsumption, among others, are all things that are caused by society as a whole. These issues not only harm the environment, but in return also harm society.

Deforestation, which is the clearing of forests for societal usage, is something that causes extreme consequences. As forests and habitats are quickly vanishing, so are many places that animals call home. This can cause these animals to slowly become extinct. For example, animals such as the Giant Panda and Mountain Gorilla are both animals that are extremely close to becoming extinct. Animals such as these live in forests and jungles;  as people continue to clear forested areas, animals such as those become more and more at risk of extinction.

Society is not only putting animals in danger, but also the entire world through climate change. Climate change is long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, which occurs naturally, but humans have been increasing it more rapidly. Things such as deforestation can cause climate change, due to the mass amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere as trees are cut down. The burning of fossil fuels also causes a rapid increase in climate change. Fossil fuels include things such as: coal, oil and gas. These fuels release greenhouse gases, which is the major cause of climate change.

Peta is an organization that fights against cruelty throughout the world, especially towards animals. Animals are oftentimes exposed to cruel environments, whether that cruelty be in harsh animal testing facilities, zoos that do not properly care for their animals or throughout habitats that humans are rapidly ruining. Peta2 stands up to those types of cruelty. They offer different petitions that one can sign to get more involved in their community to stop environmental and animal cruelty.

Overconsumption has also harmed the environment in great ways as well. With factories often using a great amount of gases. As people consume more, that also is cause for there to be more pollution and litter and landfills growing in size.

There  are many things that one is able to do through their community to prevent further harming the environment. One can lower their environmental footprint by reducing the amount of energy and water they consume on a day-to-day basis, simply turning off lights when they are not being used, taking shorter showers or using less water, all which can prevent too much energy waste. Instead of constantly buying new clothes and items that are not necessarily needed, one can buy second-hand. Not only does this save money for someone and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that come from the facilities that make these certain things, it also reduces a large amount of waste that consumes landfills each year.

Although many things can only be fixed by bigger corporations, there are still many things one can do in their communities. Changing lifestyles may seem as though it would be no help, but even the smallest of changes can inspire others to follow in one’s footsteps.