“Our environmental problems originate in the hubris of imagining ourselves as the central nervous system or the brain of nature. We're not the brain, we are a cancer on nature.” - David Foreman, co-founder of 'Earth First!'

Environmentalists usually view the human species as a force consciously destroying the natural environment in which we live. Mr. Foreman thinks so, as you can see above.

However it is my belief that although we do harm our environment through negligence or otherwise, humans, just as any other species of animals, are simply living our lives. We, as undoubtedly the most intelligent race to have evolved thus far, have created innumerable objects which make our lives easier. We have created machines that allow us to fly through the air at amazing speed; we have created screens which allow us to view images instantly from the other side of the world; and we have created medicine that allowed a member of our species to live to 122 and one half years. Our advancements have been remarkable.

With superior intelligence comes superior responsibility, and I believe this is where we have fallen short. Here in the 21st century we are harming our planet in many ways. Do we do it because of laziness, stupidity or lack of awareness? I suppose the answer is different for every person. Certainly the material is available for people to read and understand. So why do we continue to toss our trash on the ground, and endure that small pang of guilt that comes with it? In my opinion, it is because we don't immediately see the effects of what we are doing. If we got a small electric shock every time we littered, I can imagine that littering would become a thing of the past.

History has proven that the human race is not a far-sighted one, or we may have been able to avoid the BP oil spill, among other events. However as scientists write more and more about the 'tipping point' or 'the point of no return', one must wonder whether our short-sightedness will eventually lead to the destruction of our race. If so, then the advancements of air travel, carbon-fibre imaging, or medical technology will have really been all for naught.

To save all that we have worked so hard for, to make the 200,000 years of evolution worth while, pick your wrapper of the ground. Or better yet, just don't buy it.

Keep e-volving.