Wed, 05 May 2010 4:21p.m.
By Erana Walker
Making paper planes was a highlight of my childhood - folding and ripping the paper to try to create a masterpiece and then throwing it to see how far it would fly. But looking back at those past times the paper I used was always new, always a clean piece of white paper and every time I was finished with the paper I threw it away, because I didn’t see any further use.
Not only could I have recycled this paper, I could have made something else out of it, but sadly I didn’t. As many others would know, after you’re done with the plane you put it in the rubbish.
But now we are being given more information about where paper comes from and what is being destroyed to create this object.
Millions of hectares of rainforests are being demolished to create paper. With the destruction of rainforest comes the desecration of ecosystems, the extinction of plant life and animal life, all for a piece of paper that might only have been used to make paper planes.
Not only does it have an extreme effect on animals and plants, it also affects the indigenous people whose lives and health rely on this vital resource. Taking away this rainforest is taking away their homes, their history, all for paper.
Paper has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember, it’s sort of like a pet, it’s always there. But now I, and anyone else who might want to join me, must reduce the amount of this “pet” that I use. So no more paper planes.
If my wants are causing harm to someone else’s needs, I will change my actions gradually so that we both win.