Four-word Lifesaver

Global warming. Floods. Pollution. These are just some of the major world issues that we have faced, are facing, and will continue to face here in the Philippines if not acted upon. Even though these issues have so many contributing factors, they have one common denominator: improper waste disposal. The improper treatment of our waste contributes greatly to the diminishing quality of our environment and may, for the worst, even disrupt the ecological balance in our community. To illustrate, our everyday wastes clog up dams, dams, which, inturn, has led to dangerous floods that have been traumatic for many Filipinos. The scatteed wastes in our surroundings have led to air pollution which can cause respiratory diseases.

Unfortunately, since these adversities we are facing are big issues, coming up with solutions requires a lot of hard work and time. But this should not stop us from doing the best we can to contribute to our society’s betterment. We have heard of sayings like “large waves come from small ripples”, and I do believe them. I believe that we can start a big change in our world if we always keep in mind these four words: Clean As You Go.

Similarly, the smallest pieces of trash people carelessly throw away can cause the most detrimental changes in our environment. Many people are familiar with the image of a sea turtle choking on soda rings in which they get trapped while swimming in the ocean – with this being said, we can might as well see ourselves getting the lives of living beings with just the way we handle the things we throw away without care.

I first encountered the sign “Clean As You Go” or CLAYGO during my freshman year in Ateneo. The signs are posted in cafeterias, and they served as reminders for the students to put the kitchen utensils in the right place after eating. But then, after having been given this topic, it became more than just a “cafeteria reminder” for me. I came to realize that CLAYGO is actually a reminder of our responsibilities as caretakers of nature – to throw away or put back in the right place any harmful material immediately.

CLAYGO policies are being implemented in different areas such as schools, offices, and other work stations for the people to be able to work more efficiently, to have a clean and convenient surrounding, and for them and their environment to be kept from danger. The CLAYGO policy should not be taken for granted, as it can also save us just as it did to those who are already practicing it. Besides, the future of our lives depends on our hands, literally.

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Fourth blogpost made by Yana Angeles