The world we live in is full of wonders created by nature, but as we grow older, we realize that many of these wonders are disappearing. For example, I remember visiting my grandparents' village last summer. There were once endless fields of green rice and clear rivers where we could swim. Now, those fields are covered with factories, and the river is polluted with waste. This made me realize that environmental protection is not just an adult's responsibility—it's something every young person should care about.

Firstly, we need to understand why environmental protection matters. Our planet provides us with air, water, and food, but these resources are limited. When we throw away plastic bottles or burn too much coal, we damage the environment. Last year, my class learned that plastic takes 500 years to decompose in landfills. Even small actions like using a reusable bag instead of buying plastic ones can make a big difference. For instance, our school started a "Bring Your Own Bottle" campaign, and within three months, we reduced plastic waste by 30%.

Secondly, protecting the environment requires teamwork. Governments should create laws to stop polluting industries, but individuals also have to act. My parents always tell me to turn off lights when leaving a room, and I now remind them too. In our community, there's a group called "Green Friends" that plants trees every spring. Last April, we planted 200 saplings along the riverbank. It was tiring, but seeing the children in our neighborhood playing near the new trees made me feel proud. Even small actions like recycling paper or separating trash can help.

However, some people still don't care about the environment. My cousin once said, "Why should I worry about saving the planet when I'm only 12?" I explained that environmental problems won't disappear on their own. For example, if we don't protect the ozone layer, harmful sun rays will increase skin cancer rates. Last month, our school organized a debate about climate change. When I shared facts about melting ice caps and rising sea levels, many classmates agreed that everyone should do their part.

In my opinion, young people can make a difference through creativity. Last term, our art class created posters to teach older citizens how to save water. We used recycled materials like old magazines and bottle caps, which made the posters stand out. The best part was when Mrs. Li, our English teacher, used one of our posters in her environmental protection lesson. It showed me that even simple ideas can spread.

To sum up, protecting the environment is like building a house—each of us is a brick. If we neglect small cracks now, the whole structure might collapse later. Let's start today by turning off unnecessary lights, carrying reusable bags, and planting a tree together. Remember, the future belongs to those who care about the Earth. As the famous saying goes, "We don't inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." Let's make sure we leave a cleaner world for them.

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