30 The Change Agent — March 2011
Staying Safe in a Toxic World
Describe an environmental problem in
your neighborhood. Write an essay that:
• describes the problem
• discusses solutions
• identifies possible challenges
Your Neighborhood
There are several environmental problems in my
neighborhood, such as flooding in the nearby park
and the accumulation of trash and bugs as a result.
Our community park is in an area that floods
every time it rains. In fact, a housing project in our
area was closed and torn down because of flood-
ing. Water stands about two feet on the basketball
court and soccer field after every rain. If the sun
doesn’t come out soon after the rain, the areas are
left with the smell of stagnated water. The wa-
ter flows down stream and
settles in the park.
As a result of the flood-
ing, we get trash such as cans
and bottles flowing down-
stream to our circle drive.
Then the mosquitoes and
gnats swarm causing illness-
es, especially for the children
who play outside often.
Therefore, the parents often
have to keep their children
inside.
The people who live in my neighborhood
need to band together to protest these conditions.
During the twelve years that I have lived in this
neighborhood, I haven’t seen much concern about
Environmental Issues in
My Neighborhood
Lavona Brown
these condi-
tions from city
officials. Nor
have I heard
of any plans
to improve the
area. Something needs to be done. For a start, my
neighbors and I need to go to city council meet-
ings and sit there until the members of the council
recognize us.
Before the next council meeting, I will talk to
as many neighbors as I can to get them involved in
a solution to our problem. Next, I will circulate a
petition that addresses our concerns: the flooding,
the trash, and the insects. Also, I will get as many
people together as I can to attend council meetings
until our concerns are addressed.
Our neighborhood is a mixture of at least
three ethnic groups, but we are all working togeth-
er to help solve our problems. United we stand,
and divided we fall. If we work together, we will
accomplish what we set out to do.
Lavona Brown is a student at the Fort Smith Adult Education
Center in Fort Smith, AR, where she is studying for her GED. She
is very active in her church and her community. In addition, she is
involved with her extended family of nieces and nephews.