Callum Gay, Kate Thompson, Bella Shewan, Blaise Ramage, Courtney Richards and Paul Zoubkov

Causes of Environmental damage

RAMPANT CONSUMERISM: Does true happiness really lie in consuming bigger, better, more? Advertisers and most people in developed countries seem to think so.

POVERTY: Faced with a drastic shortage of resources and mounting debt, a growing number of the world’s poor are forced to exploit nature to survive.

POPULATION: Our increasing population is placing greater strain on natural resources.

EXPLOITATION: Using positions of power and privilege, some countries and corporations misuse the resources of others without care for the consequences.

WAR AND CONFLICT: Intense fighting contaminates land and water supplies, destroys natural habitat and demands an unsustainable use of resources.
TAKE ACTION

USE WISELY: Conserve energy, avoid using disposables, recycle materials, and try to walk and cycle instead of using the car.

SHOP WISELY: Support companies that are enviro-friendly, buy goods with the least amount of packaging and always ask yourself, Do I really need it? What makes me want to buy it?’ Make your own stuff!

RAISE AWARENESS: Talk to your mates or whanau about environmental issues. Organise an awareness-raising event or campaign — maybe a concert, public talk or demonstration.

GET POLITICAL: Pressure city council, government and your local members of parliament to make positive change. If you’re 18 you can stand in elections!

JOIN OTHERS: Volunteer with organisations like Greenpeace, or join a global network of concerned and active young people

GO FOR IT! Learn more about the issues, and realise that you can do plenty. Every little bit helps!

This article was written as part of Global Focus a collaborative project of Tearaway Magazine and the Global Education Centre. It was first published in Tearaway magazine and is reprinted here with their permission

Illustrator: Gavin Mouldey