I’m a 12-year-old environmentalist. Earth calls on Kansas City for a better future | Opinion

Earth, our beautiful planet, is not just a place we live in; it’s our home. With the population now at 8 billion people, we must realize its delicate nature. Despite our progress with technology, many of our inventions have unintended consequences on our planet. Whether it is the production process, the materials used or how we use them, our creations often harm the environment. But amid these challenges, there’s hope. Many individuals and organizations are working tirelessly to protect our planet from threats such as fossil fuels and pollution. The world is calling on you, Kansas City, to fight for a brighter future.

I’m a 12-year-old Kansas Citian and environmentalist, studying the impacts of pollution on our planet. Growing up in an ever-changing world filled with pollution, I began wondering how important where we live really is. Thousands of people, including me, call Kansas City home, so I want to make sure that home has a sustainable future.

One significant threat to our environment is light pollution. This term refers to the excessive use of artificial outdoor lighting, which disrupts wildlife patterns, interferes with our sleep and hides the beauty of the night sky. Growing up, I longed to gaze at the stars, but light pollution dimmed my view. However, on a recent night, I finally witnessed the breathtaking spectacle of the starry sky. It fueled my passion for creating an eco-friendly world, starting with my own community of Kansas City. By reducing our reliance on outdoor lighting, we could take a crucial step toward preserving the natural beauty of our city.

Plastic pollution poses another significant challenge. Every day, we encounter discarded plastic items littering our surroundings as we navigate the streets of Kansas City. As I walk my dog through our neighborhood, I am dismayed by the sight of plastic bottles, wrappers and bags strewn along the sidewalks. These items can have devastating effects if eaten by animals. It is our duty to dispose of our waste properly for a safer and cleaner environment for Kansas City.

Another major concern, greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, leading to climate change. The burning of fossil fuels is a primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the environmental crisis. The sight of a coal-fueled power plants producing emissions serves as a harsh reminder of the urgent need to switch to cleaner energy sources.

Each of us leaves behind a carbon footprint, a measure of our impact on the environment. Our everyday actions, such as being wasteful or our reliance on fossil fuels, contribute to the size of that mark. In Kansas City, we must work to minimize our carbon footprint to reduce the effects of climate change. Reducing meat consumption and opting for alternative modes of transportation, such as biking, can significantly reduce our environmental impact. These may seem like small, insignificant lifestyle changes, but collectively, they can make a great difference in preserving our planet.

As a sixth-grade environmental advocate, I am passionate about protecting our planet and preserving its natural wonders for future generations. I am inspired by the countless individuals and organizations dedicated to environmental conservation, and I am committed to making a difference in my community. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable future for Kansas City and beyond.

I sincerely appreciate you reading this, and I hope that you will take my perspective and give it some thought, because that is what anyone with a big dream in this world wants: a chance. Let’s give Earth a chance, too.

Maxwell Kail is a student at the Eastgate 6th Grade Center in the North Kansas City School District.