Despite the occurrences of natural disasters, we still keep denying climate change. How can we, as citizens of planet earth prevent future danger (natural disasters)? We as citizens of this planet should be looking out for each other, helping those who need help so we can be able to prevent future damages in our world. According to Nicholas Kristof in his New York Times Article, ‘We Don’t Deny Harvey, So Why Do We Deny Climate Change’, many people lose their homes because of natural disaster, but several others lose more than that, they lose a life. According to my own experience, support is important for those who are suffering because of natural disasters, and I can say that as a Cape Verdean and citizen of Earth.
I came from one of the southernmost islands in Cape Verde named Fogo. Fogo is located between the islands of Santiago and Brava. Practically the whole island is a stratovolcano that has been periodically active: it last erupted in 2014. Lava from the volcano has reached the eastern coast of the island within historical times, but there are also clear signs of past volcanism here. “For example, numerous craters can still be identified on these islands and the crater floor of the salt pans near Pedra de Lume on Sal has a temperature that is very warm to hot. This can easily be felt when entering the basin. The “heating” of the salt pan floor can probably be attributed to the volcano’s residual heat.” The (Pico de) Fogo on the island of the same name – whose last eruption in 1995 created the Pequeno Fogo – is the only active volcano at the moment. (How can you connect this interesting info on CV with the next paragraph? The transition is important. What is your government doing/not doing it? That would be a good way to transition.
Consequently, we can’t talk about preventing future damages or even minimizing the damage those victims pass through without mentioning the government – how many times the governments are present with extraordinary financial support for those victims of natural disasters, and how many times they actually did something to help them? I can stand for my country and say they don’t move one finger for those people.
I can’t say that I’m not frustrated when I realize that humans can be so vile and corrupt to their own race and even blood – I remember like it was yesterday, the last eruption, but it was 3 years ago. In that time, I was on an island called Santiago very close to Fogo. In fact, I was in class, so I didn't know anything about it, but when I went home I found my mom in a state of shock, she told me everything, detail, by detail, and I couldn't stop worrying about my family in that situation and what they were passing through. According to what I said, we can realize that being part of history is different than reading it or watching it happen.
After the eruption in Fogo between 2014 and now, the population of that island is suffering in the government's hand by waiting for a promise they made – the government got a lot of help (financial help) from many countries, and it was more than enough money to help the population of Fogo by building their house. They said they would, but after that, they decided to sell the houses instead of honoring their promise. I know that is something that doesn't happen only in my country, but we must stand up to situations like that because if we don’t who will. Even Though it is not possible to avoid natural disasters, we can still decrease the damage. For example, using more electric cars, avoiding pollution, and not burning anything.
In conclusion, natural disasters can now happen in any place at any time and we know that it can’t be avoided, but we can still reduce the damages of it. As we know many of us underestimated natural disaster because they never passed through it – for those who did, we know it’s something terrifying and that is beyond our understanding – and for many is God’s work. In moments like that, we realize the true character of humans and we see who is with us and who is not. Fortunately, many people realize that God is on their side, and only him.
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