Peru's Environmentally Conscious Youth

After reading Moral Ground, it’s clear that we all need to take living more sustainable into consideration Cloutier states that, “We can begin with the key discovery of green history: civilization was purchased by the betrayal of Nature”.  This quote explains his stance on our moral obligation to our planet.  We are the guests on this earth, and we need to respect our home.  Though developments over time have benefitted the human race, it has started to deteriorate.  Our obligation is out of respect, for our own futures, and those that are to come after us. In the United States we stress conservation and becoming more resourceful.  In regions like Peru, there are different environmental stresses. 

Peru faces deforestation that leads to the lack of protection of multiple species of plants and animals.  Their region looses about 715 hectare of forest each day due to illegal logging and harvesting, leading to the 261,000-hectare loss each year.  These activities are particularly harmful to the 222 endangered species.  According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, Peru holds about 5,528 plant species and 760 animal species endemic to the region.

The Yellow Tailed Monkey is on the endangered species list that resides in Peru.

Peru also faces pollution barriers.  Peru has issues with water pollution, air pollution, and soil erosion.  The NationalEncyclopedia explains that only 87% of city living Peruvians and 62% of rural living Peruvians have access to clean drinking water.  Peru produces about 3.0 million tons of solid waste per year.  Their air pollutants include vehicle emissions specifically in the city of Lima.  The soil erosion issue results from overgrazing especially in the slope area.  There are many people who have stood up to fight the environmental deterioration.

This video shows the youth around the world contributing to an environmental change.

After researching the environmental issue Peru faces, I came across people fighting for a change.  After looking at the 360 map, I found that young activists are meeting to discuss problems, solutions, and plans for resolution.  Some of the youth groups include Power Shift Peru and COY 10. Water.org is also present in Peru.  The first partnership was in 2013 and continues to add more, like in Lima.  These organizations gather youths in the area to contribute and start living sustainably.  It also spreads the message to civilians that we do not live in a disposable world.

Water.org partnerships in South America

All of the environmental factors that Peru faces are a manmade.  We have a moral obligation to contribute to the preservation of our regions as much as we can.  We cannot live without making an environmental impact, however we can take a lesson from the youth in Peru.  These kids are taking a stance to preserve the natural state of their home.  If we all accepted our moral obligation to live more sustainable, the result would be visible.