In the interest of no longer taking the moral high ground, I feel as if it is important to talk about some real, tangible issues that can be more easily wrestled with than apathy. That being said, I feel as if the most pressing environmental challenge that faces our planet is global warming. Many, if not all, of our current environmental problems can be linked back to the adverse effects of climate change. The melting of polar ice caps, the rapid extinction of species and loss of biodiversity, the increasing intensity of disastrous weather, droughts, and global food shortages can all be linked to the problem set put forth by our ever warming atmosphere. All of these issues are linked and intertwined with global warming as one of the chief engines of ecological catastrophe.

Perhaps the main problem with climate change is that there is no readily agreed upon solution to cut carbon emissions while still sustaining a normal life complete with the energy demands to which we have grown accustomed.

However, I do not believe that we are doomed to fail at our attempts at recovering our planet and our environment. I am a firmly optimistic person and truly believe that despite the apathy and general malaise that grips the overwhelming majority of our population, to which Dominique and Brett alluded, there is no problem that we cannot solve through hard work, dedication, and a sincere desire to improve our lives and become responsible stewards of the gift of our environment.