Often in the news we see articles about Global Warming and mankind's effects on the environment. I am not a scientist and I cannot accurately discern how much of our weather patterns are due to man's actions or due to normal shifts in the Earth's surface and atmosphere temperatures. Yet, I can tell you that mankind has proven to have a spotty record with regards to the care for our world. For example, mismanagement of nuclear power in Chernobyl has created portions of the surrounding area that some say make the area inhabitable for up to 20 thousand years. Strip mining has destroyed once-beautiful mountaintops. In many of our rivers, lakes and streams, to include our local Occoquan River, human-produced pollution has created conditions where untreated water is not safe to drink and the fish are too contaminated to eat. Garbage, chemicals and discarded pharmaceuticals leaching into the soil affect our water tables and transfer harmful particles into our food source and that of wildlife as well. Wildfires, many caused by arson, discarded cigarettes, and poorly-monitored campfires, have caused the loss of 1.4 million acres. To put this in perspective, the National Interagency Fire Center reports that this year lightning has caused around 2,935 wildfires, and people have caused another 27,900.
It goes without saying that we have but one Earth. Be a leader in conservation. Use your training as an example and educate others. Clean up when you can. Take care to only use what natural resources you need. Before you use chemicals and poisons -- carefully consider the effects on the environment. Do your best to recycle. Be conservation minded.
A Scout is Thrifty.