Industrialization in Connecticut. From 2009.                                                          Photo by Katelyn Avery.

The trees used to go on forever. The air was better and rain came down clean. This is what America looked like before industrialization.

Factories make jobs and products, but we can’t ignore the side effects either. I’m not saying we should get rid of factories though. I myself can’t live without all the things they give us. My 90’s kid/millennial generation always needs something with a battery. However, America also receives pollution from these buildings.

Most Americans do have some subconscious guilt about our contribution to global warming.  It’s something that would eat you alive if you always thought about it, but maybe we need to feel bad sometimes. Then there are some Americans who are oblivious to the harm being done. That’s the part  that annoys me.

Rose colored glasses don’t make a fashion statement so let’s take them off. Living in the real world won’t hurt us, it will actually save us. The ozone layer isn’t untouchable and smog is real. Industrialization is a part of our lives that many of us can’t give up, but we need to accept everything that it gives us.

-Katelyn Avery