Growing up, I heard the slogan “protect the environment,” but I did not understand why it was so significant – I was fortunate enough to grow up uneducated. However, these days, our shortcomings in protecting our planet reveal themselves in the news headlines we see every day reporting on alarming global warming, extreme weather patterns, horrifying natural disasters, and biodiversity loss. Even in my town, I feel it in how seasons shorten, how unstable the weather is becoming, and how much warmer the winter is every year. In the years ahead, we – students, adults, and even little kids – cannot afford to be uneducated about the environment. We must work towards cherishing our environment in any way we can. Through Ecosphere, I want to raise awareness of both micro- / community-based efforts to preserve the environment and macro approaches such as environment conservation policies and campaigns. My knowledge will grow with Ecosphere, and I am excited to embark on this journey with you all!