Luke Webb

Exploratory Essay
What am I so passionate about that I cant ignore? Up until a few days ago, the answer to
that question had eluded me for as long as Ive been on this earth (and even now Im still not
entirely certain I know the real answer). However, recently Ive read a book for my seminar class
titled Postmortal. While I dont particularly like the story or characters; its made an impact on
me and made me realize that I care deeply about this planet and what others do to it. As I write
this, I sit on the eighth floor of the library and look out across the vast expanse of the campus.
The edge of the city of charlotte is visible and it looks as if the skyscrapers grew out of the earth
itself. It makes me proud of humanitys accomplishments. Seeing the manmade constructs blend
with the see of organic green makes the landscape seem balanced. Nature and urbanization
sitting in perfect harmony without one harming or overpowering the other. Unfortunately, I fear
that someday this will no longer be true.
Just last night, it dawned on me how often I lie awake in bed and wonder about the future
of the earth. So many claims that we are using up all of the resources and and the population is
expanding too rapidly will eventually kill the environment; and with it all of mankind. The
double edged sword: mankind needs nature to survive, but at the same time nature stands in our
way. I grew up in a place where the only artificial construct was the house I lived in. No
neighbors, stores, or urbanization anywhere nearby. The wooded maze of trees and natural
untouched life proved to be the most calming place I have ever been in the world to this day. It
scares me to think that someday it will all be gone, replaced by brick and mortar. Seas of
concrete constantly expand and swallow creation as it was meant to be and has always been.
Im torn between the beauty of nature and the beauty of what man can create. However,
sitting here looking out the window at the world below makes me believe the synthesis of the

Luke Webb
Exploratory Essay
two far surpasses what either can achieve on their own. The most overlooked allure in the world.
I hope that someday man can learn to live with the earth instead of simply off the earth, but that
is not a practical goal without effort of every sentient life in the world.
I know that I will probably never live to see the day that humans begin to value the planet
on which they stand as much as they value their bills, cars, houses and other problems which
plague their day to day lives. I just wish their was something more that one person could do to
make a difference. I cant change the world on my own, nor can anyone. The voice of one person
can only influence, not change. The influence leads to followers which believe in the goals and
message of that voice, but so many times people refuse to hear the message communicated to
them. Determined to carry out their lives solving the immediate problems and ignoring the ones
that may someday threaten the lives of their descendants. They care not for the legacy which they
leave behind because society has devolved into faceless, generic pawns who make no contribute
to history. Content to simply live (or just breath in some cases) and die while their families do
the same. Its difficult to blame them, progressing beyond the middle and lower classes takes
herculean efforts and the courage to take risks; but the longer people live in such a way, the more
harm is done to the environment. They take and take and take while rarely giving back.
While I find myself in agreement with what was just stated. I also feel myself disagree.
Im no hippie or vegan. I believe in my fellow man. I believe in the government not only america
has created, but all of the democracies in the world. I believe in God and the lives he has given
all of us. There is plenty of good in the world. There are plenty of good people in the world. Ive
even found that many people share the same thoughts and opinions I do. Almost everyone
believes that the earth is in dire need of repair, but no one (myself included) fully understands

Luke Webb
Exploratory Essay
where to even begin to start the reconstruction. In fact, many people who aid in the deterioration
of the world think this is true. A friend of mine used to throw his trash out the window of his car
and onto the side of the road. I once asked him about why he did this if he valued the world in
which he lived. He simply thought that since so many others did it; one more would not matter.
The revelation that unfolded to me was that so many people followed this philosophy, the sum of
the parts made up the whole. Put simply, no one believes one person can do anything, so why
try? Each individual goes about their lives as usual. Each individual does just one thing, one
time. No harm done. Billions of individuals go about their lives as usual. Billions of individuals
all do one thing, one time. Suddenly, pollution is caused. Resources run out. The cosmic
hourglass rapidly runs out of sand.
This one frame of mind has caused so many problems for the world and all of its
inhabitants, not just humans. Some people and organizations have attempted to make the
populace aware of what its doing, but so far very little of them have succeeded. Many of the
organizations attempt to demonize their fellow earthlings (as if they are any better). This turns
away more followers than it creates.
The world changes in a very distinct manner. A process which we call evolution.
Evolution has shaped the world over the course of history. It teaches us that change takes time
and adaptation. The way the world will be healed is through gradual acceptance that the way we
live is simply not healthy for our home. Asking people to change the way they live and make
drastic alterations to their daily lives will simply not work. The philosophy spoken of earlier can
be applied to everything. If each person would do just one small thing, the benefit would be
immeasurable. If one billion people picked up just one piece of trash on the ground the entire city

Luke Webb
Exploratory Essay
of New York would be spotless. If clean electric energy was made available to one small city,
others across the world would see this as bold and triumphant. Soon imitation of this would
occur, leading to a much cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Some of this has already occurred.
Some large corporations are refuting gasoline cars in favor of electric motors. Others have began
making goods completely out of recycled substances. Change is occurring slowly. Humanity is
beginning to see the error of its ways. I do what I can now to aid in this approach. I donate
money, I volunteer, I pick up trash if I see it. The question is: Will it be enough?