Forget about “Halo 2,” “The O.C.” and Britney’s baby. There are real people that are still in need of assistance in Louisiana, Guatemala, Kashmir and many other places.

Despite all of the wars, carnage and destruction humankind is responsible for, the deadliest threat to this planet actually appears to be nature itself.

This has been especially true in recent years. In 2004, there were typhoons in Japan, hurricanes that ravaged the Americas on through to the Caribbean and a deadly earthquake in Iran.

Then, to finish off the year, one of the worst natural disasters in history struck Southern Asia. The tsunami was responsible for the loss of 120,000 lives.

In 2005, the world has seen more devastation. In March, more than 1,600 people died when an earthquake hit Indonesia. Then Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, killing more than 1,200 people and virtually annihilating the city of New Orleans.

After that, an estimated 1,153 people lost their lives when Hurricane Stan triggered catastrophic mudslides in Central America and Mexico.

In October, more than 73,000 people died in an earthquake that hit Northern Pakistan. Villages upon villages were completely wiped out.

Unfortunately, it is difficult for most people to fathom mass destruction that occurs so far away, so they go on with their daily routines as though nothing has happened. It does not help that most of these disasters become blips in the news after a while.

My friend Hussein, whose family is from Pakistan, set up a campaign through www.islamic-relief.com to collect donations to help survivors of the earthquake. He contacted several local businesses as potential sponsors.

When I next spoke to Hussein, he had only raised $5 and had no sponsors. It’s depressing to think that most people would rather buy a Big Mac than help another human being.

Like many others, I watched the coverage of these natural disasters, but spent most of my precious money on pizza and beer while giving little to relief funds.

It’s not that I didn’t care about the victims of these disasters— it’s that I felt too small to be of any real help. That is the wrong mentality to have. I realize that now and one thing is much clearer: I cannot sit still any longer.

None of us should. The world needs us.

Forget about “Halo 2,” “The O.C.” and Britney’s baby. There are real people that are still in need of assistance in Louisiana, Guatemala, Kashmir and many other places.

This holiday season, think of all the people who lost their homes and no longer have families. Be grateful for your health and try to share what you have with those who need it.

Organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and UNICEF are always accepting donations and volunteers. Get out there and do something!

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