It’s time to wake up. We need to wake up. We are ruining our planet, and it is time we realize that it is not okay.

We can start with the first step to betterment: realization.

Look in your desk drawers and your closet. You’ll find overwhelming amounts of name-brand products ranging from Rare Beauty and Glossier to Nike and Arie—overconsumption at its finest. 

Now, I do not mean that we can not buy products that are popular, but when we become absentminded with the waste that can be created with them—that’s when it becomes a problem. 

Look at the nearest body of water. You will not find flourishing plants or a glistening reflection. You will see rusty cans, plastic water bottles and other pollutants produced by humans. 

Overconsumption and pollution are just two of the many factors to the degradation of our planet.

We may understand the concepts and the consequences of our inconsiderate actions on our planet, but have we acted on them? Have we changed our ways in hopes to avoid that damage? No, we have not.

Every. Single. Day. Our planet gets closer to the cease of existence. We are killing our planet from our careless ways and overconsumption and pollution are only a fraction of the damage.

The next time you get on a plane, turn on your bedroom light or plug in your phone—remember that you are contributing to your carbon footprint.

Change is long over due, and frankly, the least we can do for our planet. By conserving water, reducing the usage of single-use plastics and saving energy, you can easily support our environment.

We have completed the hardest and first step: realizing our faults. But now we must take it one step further and change our ways in hopes of bettering our planet and simply being the change you want to see in the world.