Kyleia Clements
Reflection on the Environment
My favorite book, that is a lot of pressure to put into one book’s reputation. I am asked to single out just one single book out of the many I have read since grade school. I assume it is best to pick a non-fiction book to better reflect my enlightenment and knowing after reading the book, and I can’t very well reflect within myself on books that talk about mythical creatures and made up locations in worlds not known to man. I have chosen the book The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon. Now, don’t get me wrong, many believe that global warming is a conspiracy and full of complete and utter lies, but not too long ago and still, I obsessed over the concept of our impact in the world we live in. I would go to bed at night, but not without making sure all lights that were not needed to be turned on were off, I would take shorter showers and unplug all electronics from outlets before I left the house and even going as far as writing a letter to the president about what I believed should be changed to better our planet. Little steps that I believed made a difference, and this state of mind I was in was shaped by opinions from the environment I live in. Park City is a breath of fresh air, and a healthy community driven by physical activity and wealth. In school, we are taught that we should treasure our privileges and give to those less fortunate, and that was my goal, by doing my part and giving back to the community. This book shaped my outlook on everything else in the world and gave me a new way to live.
It is common knowledge to know that where we are and who we are with affect our lives, and it is a subject that is studied vicariously, which is anthropology. In a broader understandable sense, it is the study of humans, their culture and how we react with each other and our environment. The community of Park City is future and tourist driven, we feed off of the enjoyment of those who come to have a good time. This has shaped the lives of the youth who live here, and when they grow up and leave the nest, our sheltered lives will be shattered and we will learn to adjust to the actual real world. Not only the community of the city that I live in has shaped my development, but those who are a part of my daily life affect me just as much. My friends, teachers and family impact my everyday paths to become who I will be in the future. This book has guided me to becoming better at recognizing good and bad carbon footprints that we leave on this world, and everyday whether how small my tries are, when I try to be earth friendly, it makes a difference.
Books are so incredibly amazing and it surprises me how many kids say that they don’t like to read. I believe that their is a book out there for everyone and those who say they don’t like to read, haven’t found that right book for them. Books are the healthy escape from reality basically, and The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming was more of a wake up call into reality. Although it is a completely opinion based book backed up by fact, it made me look at the environment as more of the most important, unstable and bi-polar 2 year old in history. Anything, and everything remotely evil that is done to the environment, she/he will react in such strong and worldwide tantrum, it affects everyone in the world in some way or another. The key to a healthy environment, is to do your part to care for him/her.
Each book to its own, and each book opens a new door to an individual release from your current situation. This book has exposed me to new opinions on how I function in my daily life. I can honestly say that I have become a more efficient human being when it comes to my own personal carbon footprint. Until I am too old to acknowledge the current state of the world I live in, I will never stop trying to do my part to improve the quality of the only place everyone in the world can call home.Whether you are on the bus, outside or just at home, anytime is a good time to read a book and escape your reality.
