Font Resize
Editor’s note: Several students from Academy School sent letters to the editor on a variety of topics. These letters have only been edited to meet space requirements.
On global warming
Editor of the Reformer:
As a concerned citizen, I think that global warming is one of the most horrible issues on earth. I strongly believe that global warming is going to lead to serious problems that is threatening our lives. If we do not fix this problem, there will be serious consequences. I am concerned that it will effect our lifestyle, because the climate will change and the food chain will also be effected.
According to National Geographic, "Penguin numbers have dropped from 32,000 breeding pairs, to 11,000, in 30 years. Also, the sea level rise has become faster over the last 10 years." If the sea level rise keeps occurring, then that would throw the food chain off. "Temperature records clearly show a warming of the earth over the past century, with particularly rapid heating over the past few decades." What is terrifying about this fact is that it shows how much global warming is altering our planet.
National Geographic also stated, "Even worse things have been predicted such as less fresh water will be available for drinking. If the Quekaya (a big iceberg in Peru) continues to melt at this rate, it will be gone by the year 2100, leaving thousands of people who rely on it for drinking water and
Additionally with global warming, "Some diseases will spread such as malaria carried by mosquitoes. Ecosystems will change -- some species will move farther north or become more successful; others will not be able to move, and could become extinct. Hurricanes and floods will become more frequent, and stronger!" When I first read these facts online I was horrified.
According to Energy Explained: "Greenhouse gases create a blanket around the earth and trap in heat. Green house gases are released when you drive your car, burn oil to heat your house,and when factories release them into the air."
I know a lot of people feel like global warming is patterns in the climate, or that it’s not really an issue, but there is proof that greenhouse gases form a blanket around the earth. Some people also do not think that global warming is effecting the planet even though wildlife, plants, and many other living things are dying, or starving because of harsh and disastrous conditions.
If we do not do something, mankind will be doomed, and it will be too late to do anything. You may think that one person can’t do anything, but you can do a lot. You can drive your car less, turn the heat down in your house, or if you know someone who owns a company then encourage them to make their company more green.
We can fix this problem together, before it’s too late.
Ava Shader,
Academy student, March 22
On animal testing
Editor of the Reformer:
I strongly believe that animal testing is wrong. I feel that maiming or killing animals for the sole purpose of selling a product is not right to do. We should be able to come up with safer and more humane ways to test products.
According to PETA’s website, animals are living things and should have their own rights. I think this website is good because PETA believes that animals deserve to have their best interests taken into consideration. Did you know that, "1.13 million animals are used in experiments? (This is excluding rats, mice, birds, reptiles, amphibians and agricultural animals that are used in experiments alone) plus, an estimated 100 million mice and rats are used in experiments in the US." I feel sad and upset that 1.13 million animals have been tested because it shows that the we don’t care about them.
PETA also states: "Every year more than 100 million animals suffer and die from cruel chemicals and from classroom biology experiments and dissection." I think this is bad because animals are being forced to drink or test cruel chemicals. Lots of animals have been locked up in cages. I think that animals should not be forced out of their homes. In my opinion these practices are inhumane and should be considered intolerable by everyone.
Now I think some of you are saying, "How can we market our products if we can’t test them?" You might even say that I am acting crazy, but animals are like humans to me. They have feelings, they eat, they can run or walk like humans and they have a family. I believe that we should be able to come up with alternative ways to test products without subjecting animals to such cruelty.
Animal testing is horrible. Healthy animals are made sick in order to test medicine, makeup and other things. It’s possible to make cosmetics without testing animals. Animals should not be tested for something we don’t need, like makeup. We should stop buying products that were tested on animals.
I feel that if we all work together we should be able to convince big businesses that there are safer and more humane ways to test their products. We can make phone calls to the company that is testing animals and say, "Stop testing animals or we won’t buy your stuff." I am writing about animal testing because in 2011, when I was in fifth grade, I found a website that shows animals being tested. When I first saw this website I felt upset, sad and sorry for the animals. I am only 13 years old and I think if adults help me, we may be able to to convince businesses to stop testing on animals. So thanks for your help.
Andy,
Academy student, March 22
On Vermont Yankee
Editor of the Reformer:
It’s hard to believe that people could be so careless as to continue the running of Vermont Yankee. Somebody might get hurt, the animals around it may be affected and nuclear waste may contaminate the air and water. Although Vermont Yankee has historically good safety records, it is threatening the state of Vermont. Vermont Yankee should be shut down.
Vermont Yankee has already leaked in the past. Citizens of Vermont can’t risk another accident. In 2007, one of the cooling towers collapsed. If this happens in the future the damage could be worse and people could be hurt. The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant has leaked tritium. Humans have polluted the Earth too much already with factories and chemicals, why does Vermont Yankee have to contribute too? I don’t know about you but I don’t want to drink contaminated water! Even water filters can’t clean that water entirely. Did you know that Uranium-233 and Plutonium do not occur naturally but can be formed in nuclear reactors and extracted from the highly radioactive spent fuel by chemical separation? This is so bad for the environment because nuclear waste can’t biodegrade.
Some of these disasters could happen in the future. I think that if Vermont Yankee continues to pollute the state of Vermont, citizens of this state are in danger. Any pollution is bad for the earth but nuclear pollution is the worst. Vermont Yankee is a problem waiting to happen. And if nobody knows what to do with the nuclear rods, why should Vermont Yankee keep making them? The citizens of Vermont are in danger if Vermont Yankee isn’t shut down ... soon.
There are a few consequences of shutting down Vermont Yankee but they can be easily overcome. People think that Vermont would lose power but they’re wrong. People would lose their jobs, but they would have to find new ones. Look on the positive side though, they could like their new job better or maybe even get payed more. And it’s great to try new things.
The only thing is, there’s nowhere to put the nuclear rods. Nobody knows what to do with them or how to destroy them. So, instead of building a nuclear power plant, we could build solar powered energy plants or wind powered energy plants. Then, the people that work at Vermont Yankee could work there.
Just remember; someone could get hurt, the air and water could get contaminated, and the animals around Vermont Yankee could be affected. Please take this article seriously. Even though I’m only 12 years old, anyone can change the world. Thank you for your consideration. Please keep this issue in mind. Remember, Vermont Yankee could be really damaging to us and the environment.
Michaela Russo,
Academy student, March 22
