"We are Dirt"

We as humans view nature in many ways. Some believe it has spiritual meaning, and others don't care about it at all. Many people specifically view dirt in special ways too. For instance, in New Mexico people regularly go to mud baths because they feel that dirt has healing powers. The cleanse themselves with the mud, which sounds impossible, but it's more spiritual than actually having to do with hygiene. Many religious groups see the dirt as part of us because we are nature. Also, some people say that eventually, we will literally become dirt because when we die, we will be buried and eventually our bodies will decompose and become part of the ground.

Dirt gets affected by climate change in many ways. One way is drought. When temperatures in a certain area become increasingly hot, the ground literally dries up and can't be used to produce agriculture. Another way is through pesticides. When farmers use pesticides on their farms to kill harmful insects, only ten percent of the sprayed liquid had an effect on the plants. The rest of the nitrogen would go into the Mississippi River, down into the Gulf of Mexico, where it suffocates all the fish, creating a dead zone, where only jellyfish can thrive. Then the nitrogen mixes with the oxygen and creates nitrous oxide, which floats up to the atmosphere and quickens the pace of climate change.

One way people are taking action to solve the problem is planting trees. Many people in minority neighborhoods are getting kids off the streets by getting them to plant trees. Also, in jails people are planting gardens in their recreational areas. Mostly women take part in this activity, but everyone comes out with optimism for their future when they are free. Many then decide to get green jobs when they are released from jail. That also helps our environment in the long run.