Dear MNL Family,



Recently, the Straits Times published a series of reports with the purpose of raising the level of public awareness on CLIMATE CHANGE which is a corollary, i.e consequence, of Global Warming.



What causes Global Warming? As most of us have learnt in secondary school, this phenomenon is the result of active deforestation, the overwhelming thirst in the consumption of fossil fuels and overcultivation of the farmlands to name a few. These activities have led to a rapid rise in the level of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This in turn leads to the temperature around the world increasing.



The papers noted that such activities have resulted in deserts forming and spreading at an alarming rate of 10m a year. Furthermore, the rising temperature of the sea water is causing widespread bleaching of the coral reefs. Already, 20% of the world's reefs are in dire straits, with another 20% hovering near the danger zone. Droughts, flash floods, heat waves and sudden intense snow storms are all signs that Mother Earth is under tremendous stress due to human activities that constantly inflict great damage to the her fragile ecosystem. Animals and plants are becoming extinct and the collateral damage is one which we can no longer ignore.



We must all do our part to protect Earth, our home. Nationalities, racial differences and political agendas must come secondary to the most salient banner, that we are first and foremost, a single species. We have wrought havoc to this world and we should bear the heaviest responsibility.



What can you and I do? For one, cut down on the usage of air conditioners. These are monsters that suck up prodigious amounts of energy. Save the Earth for our children is an old cliche, but one that endures through the ages simply because it speaks a truth, that we have no other home in this universe except the one we are destroying now.



Yours with lots of love

Ave