Our generation must confront the problem but not become consumed in the process

Jan 27, 2010 4:56 PM ET

Colorado Rocky Mountain School Blog

We can all choose to look at a situation in whatever way we want to. We can look fixedly at the state of the planet and believe that it is doomed to our own devices and that nothing is going to change. The alternative is to approach the problem and realize that the potential for a solution exists. In order to take a step in the right direction we must first turn around and get our bearings. We must confront the problem but not become consumed in the process.








In order to take a step in the right direction we must first turn around and get our bearings. We must confront the problem but not become consumed in the process.  

Our generation is faced with a plethora of problems, each worse than the previous one. The melting of the polar ice caps, the energy crunch, and overpopulation are all conspiring to create a tidal wave that threatens to engulf our planet if something is not done.  The shadow of the wave is now upon us and is soon to engulf us if we don’t act.

The tidal wave started forming a long time ago, before anyone in generation next had taken their first breath or uttered their first word. The tidal wave has travelled across the generations and has gathered energy exponentially as time marches on. The tidal wave is larger than the eye can see and towers over the clouds.

As imposing and unavoidable as the tidal wave may seem, I believe that our generation has the necessary skills to make it through the crisis.  The youth of our world are better equipped, smarter, and more connected than any previous generation.  We have the ingenuity to create an unbreakable levee that will be able to withstand the tidal waves blow.  Further, I believe that crashing blow that the wave is bringing may not even have to hit us.  We have the potential to prevent anything from ever occurring. 

I am filled with optimism when I think about my future and I hope that the rest of my generation feels the same way.  I beg anyone who is reading this to explore the possibility that a solution is possible.  I urge people not to become too discouraged as that is a step in the wrong direction.  If we don’t act because we think something is impossible then we will never know what ultimately is possible. 

Jared Carlson, CRMS Class of 2010.

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