Fear

Last August, Susan Grant, chief nurse executive for Emory Healthcare, said this of Emory’s choice to treat patients with Ebola: “We can either let our actions be guided by misunderstandings, fear and self-interest, or we can lead by knowledge, science and compassion. We can fear, or we can care.” Consider her idea of doing what is in the public interest despite potential cost. Please discuss an example in your life or the life of another that’s come to your attention.


By 2030, not caring will put 100 million lives at risk in third world countries. By 2050, not caring will cause a fourth of Earth’s species to go extinct. By 2100, not caring will raise the temperature by about 7 degrees Celsius, intensifying heat waves and snow storms. The planet is slowly dying; however, we can care for it now, and save it, or we can wait and fear global warming. I have made my choice.

It all started in eighth grade, when I came up with the idea of creating an “eco-camp” to educate middle school students on the environment. After two years of hard work to get sponsors, speakers, a camping spot, and a total cost, I was able to put it in place. For the past two summers, I spent five days teaching the campers about the environment, doing clean-ups, and participating in outdoor activities. To care for the environment, we have to know more about it and get closer to nature in order to feel compassion toward our planet.

But in order for me to teach the youth what I know, I realized I needed to learn more. Therefore, for the past three summers, I have gone to the Student Climate and Conservation Congress for a week, where I worked to come up with ways to teach others about the environment. So far, I’ve been able to...

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