By far the most important natural resource on earth that must be protected is our atmosphere. without it, radiation from the very sun that gives us life would scorch earth; rendering the planet unsuitable for any type of life. If civilization ran out of oil, we would find other things to burn, it wouldn't be the end of existence for us. But if our atmosphere was depleted by carbon emissions, we would have a much bigger problem than bits of plastics choking seagulls or the dangerous artificial hormones to worry about. Life for everything would end entirely. Cosmic and solar radiation would render the surface of the planet as baron as the moon, comets and meteors that usually burn up in the atmosphere would have an unhindered entrance into the earths surface, and surface temperatures from the sun would exceed the hottest of summer days. If our atmosphere was diminished, everything we know about on earth would be burned to a crisp. This is why I believe the atmosphere is one of our most important natural resources that must be protected.
In order to protect the atmosphere and repair it's current state, society would have to unite and put in their part. Engines from motor-vehicles would have to use cleaner fuel alternatives such as Biofuels or electricity. Power-plants and other factories would have to start using carbon filters to reduce their smog emissions. Both of these carbon reducing methods could be subsidized by governments to help ease the cost of having to switch over to new and potentially expensive equipment. As an individual I am already doing my part in reducing carbon emissions that hurt the earths atmosphere by taking the bus and walking when I can.
Learning that air pollution and ozone depletion was indeed a real problem and that energy companies were actually funding false research and attempting to smear the authenticity of research changed my view on the subject and greatly interested me. I never knew such well known corporations could get away with lying and cheating. I no longer fully trust what mainstream media says and now I look for research straightly taken from scientists and reliable reporters.
