To the editor:

Imagine a world where every day feels like a struggle. Imagine smog poisoning the air and lifeless creatures littering the ground. Imagine nations killing for food and masses starving to death. Sounds like a nightmare? According to the recent coral reef article, “Death of Coral Reefs Could Devastate Nations,” these scenarios could very likely occur.

How could the human race create so much damage in such a short amount of time? Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution 150 years ago, human activity has severely threatened the world. Already, we are responsible for the destruction of 19 percent of the Earth’s coral reefs. Moreover, global temperatures have risen by nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit within the last century. Besides numbers, humans have and will continue to annihilate the fragile — and irreplaceable — ecosystems that have helped balance the Earth for millions of years.

However, the effects can be ameliorated. As a whole, this community must take the initiative to adopt a more ecological approach to their lives. Even simple changes such as biking once a week instead of driving and collecting newspapers, cans and plastic to recycle add up. At home, my family tends a vegetable garden and reuses our plastic bags as trash bags. It’s incredibly surprising to see how much of a difference these changes make. While it’s easy to fall back and rely on others, only you will make the difference that you want to see. Please take this as a lesson to improve and protect our only home.

After all, the Earth’s calling. What’s your response?