I joined Defend Our Future as an intern in May. I was walking to my class at Columbus State Community College when I got a question asking, “Do you have a second to help the environment?” The first thing that jumped to my mind was the fruitful balm tree that my family and I enjoyed back home in Iraq before it was destroyed by the war. I realized then that while I couldn’t save it or our small, beautiful garden, I could at least fight to save the beauty of our natural world for everyone to enjoy today.

Defend Our Future has given me the opportunity to do just this as a Summer Intern. Many people take nature for granted and do not realize that they cannot just take from it without consequences. Everyone should assist in preserving nature’s beauty because someday it may vanish. My fellow Interns and I are helping to raise awareness about this important issue every day.

If you’re like me, and have been looking for ways to get involved to save our natural world, I would encourage you to join Defend Our Future. By taking action today we can still protect Mother Earth and save our future before it’s too late.

Shahad Ahmmed is a rising sophomore at Columbus State Community College.