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Honorable Mention
Mountains Beyond Mountains Essay Contest

Essay by Julia Oyer

      Dr. Paul Farmer’s philanthropic work in Haiti is an amazing and unique story. The progress that Dr. Farmer and Partners in Health have made in eradicating tuberculosis, an international health problem, has seemed previously impossible. His story, recounted in Mountains Beyond Mountains, may leave readers, especially young people, asking, “How can one person make such a difference?” Currently, one of the best ways to help with an international issue is to advocate environmental preservation. Environmental pollution, especially caused by the burning of fossil fuels and production of waste products, is a major global issue. Pollution knows no state or national borders. The phrase “environmental pollution” tends to be an overused expression, because people talk about it more than they try to fix it. Our generation is the next to inherit the earth, so something needs to be done to ameliorate the environment. The atmosphere is becoming progressively thicker with pollutants, once-picturesque land is being used for commercial purposes, and animals’ habitats are being destroyed. If this destruction continues unchecked, the results will be catastrophic and irreversible.

      The task of cleaning up the earth seems daunting, at best, but one person can have an impact on this issue. Environmental activism does not require the intense, lifelong commitment that Dr. Farmer’s medical work does. In fact, the average person can make a few small changes in his or her daily life that can have a hugely positive impact on the environment. Reducing the “carbon footprint”, or amount of emissions produced on a daily basis, is essential. Simple steps to reduce your carbon footprint include taking shorter showers to conserve hot water, carpooling or using public transportation whenever possible, and using fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent. Additionally, avoid buying environmentally harmful products, such as harsh cleaning products or individually wrapped items, which waste packaging. By making educated decisions as a consumer, it sends signals to the manufacturer that environmentally-friendly products are in demand. Conserving energy and resources often has a hidden benefit as well: it can save money. Environmental advocacy is another simple way that one person could have a positive impact on the environment in his or her lifetime.

      One of the great things about improving the environment is that everyone can help to varying degrees. Contributions can range from individual energy efficiency to organized environmental action. Those who are especially passionate about preserving the environment could, for example, start a local group that volunteers to clean up the area. Technologically-savvy teens can use the internet to advocate environmental preservation. One person can definitely make a positive difference concerning the deteriorating environment. Take, for example, former presidential candidate Al Gore. With his breakthrough documentary An Inconvenient Truth, he singlehandedly started the modern environmental movement. People need not be discouraged if their individual attempts at saving the environment are barely noticeable over their lifetime. Dr. Farmer assures that this is only a part of fighting the “long defeat”. It will take more than a single lifetime to produce noticeable, permanent change.

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