The protection of nature

About two hundred years ago man lived in harmony with nature, because, industry was not much developed. Today, however, the contradictions between man and nature are dramatic. Every year world industry throws out into atmosphere about 1 000 million tons of dust and other substances. People of many cities suffer from smog. Forests are disappearing. The pollution of the air, oceans, seas, rivers and lakes, and the destruction of the ozone layers could lead our planet to aa global catastrophe.

One of the major problems is the destruction of the rainforests in South America. They are home to half the world species and to millions of people. Moreover, the rainforests clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen. The trees are being cut down for paper or to make room for cattle farms. As a result, birds and animals lose their home and die. This destruction is also bringing about changes in the climate, air ppollution, flooding, drought and famine. If we continue to burn and cut down the rainforests as we are doing now, the earth will never be the same again.

Pollution of water, especially of rivers, remains the most acute ecological problem not oonly all over the world but in Lithuania also. This is witnessed by the fact that the city of Kaunas, with population of over half a million, still has no waste water treatment plant. Do to the recent decline industry and the reduced use of chemicals in agriculture, water pollution has decreased considerably, however, the situation of most of Lithuanian rivers, including that of Kursiai Lagoon, remains critical.

Fortunately, it is not too late to solve these problems. We have the time the money and even technology to prepare the way for a better, cleaner and safer future. We can plant trees and adopt animals. We can create parks for endangered species. We can put pressure on those in power to ttake action. Together we can safe our planet. All we need to do is open our eyes and act immediately.

The earth is our home, that is why we must take care of it, for ourselves and for the next generations. We must keep our environment clean.