Example Capstone - Position Paper

     The environment is an indelible part of human life, so it's important to worry about it. Whether it is everyday chemicals, large scale pollution, or endangered species, every single person on this planet has a stake. To be hands off is just unreasonable. Not everyone should be a picketing activist though, that's crazy talk.
     Everyday items contain many chemicals that the average Joe can barely pronounce. A hundred years ago, if someone bought beef, it was just that: Beef. No hormones, no antibiotics, free range, and grass fed. The same cannot be said today. It's a lot of work to find food that contains only what is expected with no unpronounceable surprises. The same goes for everyday, around-the-house items like soaps, cleaners, shampoos, Tupperware, etc. Sure, there is a point where it becomes a waste to try and avoid certain chemicals and whatnot, but why not put forth the utmost effort? We're given one body to take care of, so we should treat it like our most prized possession.
     There are many relatively new chemicals and compounds permeating our everyday lives of which the long term effects are unknown. People used to play with Mercury with their bare hands until it was found out that Mercury is uber bad. People also used to think tanning beds would give you skin cancer from one use, but it has been decided that they're no more of a carcinogen than the Sun. My point is, things change. If all the chemicals floating around are definitively proved harmless, good for us. The worst case scenario is I'm out a few bucks from buying believed "safer" items. Big deal. So I have to wait a couple years to buy a new car. At least I'll be here to drive it. Any price is a small price to pay for a healthy body. If the opposite proves true and these chemicals are deadlier than a drunk grandma texting and driving, well then, I'm ahead of the curve. The choice is easy: the environment is part of us all, so taking care of it and watching what new compounds we, as humans, introduce into the world is a necessity.

Amber Spaeth