Colombia, a tropical paradise with a rich geography and wonderful people is a beautiful country located in South America. With over 45% of its land being covered by forests; the first place in birds, and orchids species in the world; the second place in reptiles, amphibians, and sweet water fish species; the third place in palm trees and reptilian species; and the fourth place in mammal biodiversity. One could argue that it is a place where nature is valued and taken care of, however this idea is far from reality.
Although Colombia’s standard education system is required by law to teach environmental conscience to the students, most of them are more influenced by the conditions of their consumerist culture, where human kind comes first and the rest comes second. With this ideology, people justify their abuses towards our planet and believe that men are entitled to do with nature as they please. This foolish behaviour is predominant in colombian culture and consequently in its society.
Because of the idiosyncrasy of the country, the ever present conflict, and the other pressing issues Colombians have to overcome, little attention has been given to the environment. Colombia faces illegal hunting and trade of excotic animals which are sold in street markets; illegal mining in abundance; deforestation to make more space for cattle and construction; and pollution and atmospheric contamination produced by the large factories. These factors have been aggravated by the armed conflict experienced in Colombia for more than 50 years, which has had a toll on lives but also on nature.
Nowadays, the most alarming fact is that Colombia is the second country in Latin America with the most environmental issues, even though it holds about 15% of the total fauna and flora in the planet. Nevertheless, it is impossible to blame it entirely on the people residing in the country given the fact that they face many more issues than this one, their culture is different, their environmental education is insufficient and the fact that preserving nature might not be a priority.
Based on the ladder it is important for one to analyze the causes of the environmental crisis present in the territory but it is of greater importance to analyze the possible consequences of it. If we decide to stand idly by and keep watching as our planet slowly but steadily becomes more damaged we will soon have nowhere to live.
Our beloved animals will become extinct as we proudly show off how beautiful the new monkey in the zoo is and the rainforest will perish as we build more and more houses, each one bigger than the last to feed our greed. With every decision we make, every second of every day, we are defining our future and the future of all of the precious creatures living on planet earth with us. I urge you to make the right choice, to educate yourself and your loved ones, and to value all forms of life equally.
By Marianna Carillo, YCAC LATAM member - November 24, 2020
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