The Earth - A Gift from God

by Ellie McDonough - Grade 8

The factors causing climate change are not entirely accepted or agreed upon by a majority of the United States. As a thirteen-year-old student attending St. Vincent de Paul Regional School, I have learned to not only stand up for and fight for what I believe in, but also that it is my duty as a Catholic to care for the world God so thoughtfully made for his people. I recently attended a strike in New York City where over a quarter of a million people protested against climate change. An estimated amount of 7 million people protested internationally.

On Friday, September 18th, my father, brother and I took a train into New York. We marched for several hours and gathered in Battery Park. Many keynote speakers spoke against the issue. A famous 16-year-old Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg, gave an inspiring speech. Many youth activists also told of their journeys and struggles in taking a stand. The following day some of the same speakers attended the United Nations Youth Climate Conference. The activists look to inspire young adults by saying our future is in our own hands and not to expect others to clean up the mess past generations left.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and all those who dwell in it.” (Psalm 24:1) God created the earth for the animals he created and the human beings he made in his own image. It is easy to take what we have for granted. We, as humans, tend to forget what God has given us. Deforestation alone has caused the extinction of countless species and subspecies. The animals God put on this earth are innocent to the destruction humans caused. Frankly, there is no good reason why humans should not be blamed or held responsible for the noticeable destruction of our planet. All it takes is cutting pollution, plastics, and deforestation from our routines and economy, so please be mindful and help take care of our only home.