Dear  Mr. Walsh,

   What's the matter? Why are we doing this? Firstly, we use paper products and disposable chopsticks, even though it causes global warming. Secondly, we use oil and gas in our big cars, even though it causes wars where many innocent people die ( by the way, so far, 100,000 civilians have been killed in Iraq. ). We also buy diamonds from countries like Congo even though we know the money from these diamonds buys weapons that kill innocent people.  And finally, we buy many types of 'cash crops' like bananas, coffee, or sugar from countries with military governments who jail or kill their people. Many people think "It's ok as long as I survive." but we are also guilty if we buy the diamonds, oil, paper products, and 'cash crops'.

   However, about the animals, I think it is a different situation. We need food to survive, and animals provide us food. I disagree with the cruelty, but I think it is not as bad as the oil or diamonds. By the way, I try to avoid going to McDonald's, but I must admit, I sometimes go.

  About the other problems, I hear about them often but pretend not to know because it is too heavy. I feel powerless. However, if we continue like this, someday we will destroy the Earth. The companies don't want to show us the problems, and we don't want to know, but if we don't try to solve these problems, who will? I want to gain a broader view of the world and be aware of problems like these. What we are doing doesn't make sense. It is a vicious circle. The government should make laws. We should do more things like use recycled paper, plant more trees, and discover new things and products that don't destroy the earth. Concerning human rights, people and international law must consider people to be the more important than money. We should refuse to buy things that make other people suffer like 'conflict diamonds'.

  Happiness gained from the suffering of others is not true happiness. Let's find a better way!

P.S. I think global warming caused all the typhoons this year. What do you think?

Sincerely,
  Class 10,11, and 12