'Slurry pollution kills 1,000 fish' - BBC
'Major sewage pollution incidents increase'- BBC
'Residents choke as dust blankets Delhi' - BBC
'Nature reserves `not being protected from humans' - BBC
'Record concentration of micro-plastics found' - BBC
Above given taglines are a few chosen article headlines that I came across on BBC from a very colossal list from just under the category of 'Pollution' alone - the type of pollution that is carried out by none other than mankind solely. The statistics are devastating and the myriad ways that humans are destroying the planet are a never-ending list.
But oh, how trouble-free it is for us to sit back on our leather chairs and to assume accountability onto the others to come up with ways to save the environment- which we live on as well- while we drive our greenhouse gas emitting vehicle to work every day, eat our lunch from the plastic box our food is packed in (maybe even toss half of it into the bin while a greater part of the population survives on one meal per day) and then once we are done warming up our expensive chairs which could have fed 10 families we go back to our houses which lies on a location that was once maybe a forest full of lush trees and home to scores of animals.
And that is where we perceive wrongly. There are a variety of ways that we can inculcate into our daily routine and come up with ways on how to protect the environment in daily life to be more eco-friendly in order to make a difference and contribution towards the minimizing of the growing critical rate of the environment gaining terrible impacts due to our wrongdoings.
The beneath given pointers are a few examples that you could employ on an everyday basis that are ways to protect the environment and obtain beneficial outcomes, not only when it comes to preserving the environment but when it comes to the betterment of your personal life too.
As the streets fill up with more and more vehicles, the levels of pollution keep going above and beyond the charts due to traffic congestion and not forgetting the plethora of chemicals being leaked into the atmosphere and into the ears of people - thanks to aggressive drivers who are incapable of keeping honking to a minimum. It is high time we consider the favorable outcomes of walking and cycling. Not only does it have a positive effect on the environment but it is also a step closer to a healthier lifestyle.
There are many ways this could be done in a more positive approach –
According to statistics, the USA alone throws out 40% of their food annually. Around the world, food wastage is turning out to be a growing concern. Instead of filling the empty plates of those living in poverty we chuck the excess food into our garbage which converts into a nasty greenhouse gas called Methane.
In order to avoid such, I would advise you to make a weekly/daily plan of the required ingredients and food resources that you would most genuinely need and those that would not end up in garbage landfill sites. Honestly, 5 packets of Cheetos and 3 packets of Oreos are doing no one any good, especially for your tummy.
Once you have planned out all the necessities required, write them down so when you visit the supermarket you are aware of precisely what to get. Generally what would happen is that if a list is not made the tendency to pick anything and everything is significantly high.
Donate to the poor or to food kitchens. In case of excess food or leftovers from your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner bear in mind that there are plenty of people out there who would appreciate being given the food you are just about of toss into the bin. Be mindful of others needs. Contact your nearest local food bank and inquire about the type of food they would accept.
Nowadays most of the supermarkets are transforming their policies to a more 'Go-Green' approach where they either advice their customers to Bring Their Own Bag instead of utilizing the plastic ones available at the counters or else they sell cloth bags to customers who wish to be eco-friendly. Make a more environmentally focused choice by making use of reusable bags which would last longer and set the world on a path of minimizing the use of harmful plastic bags.
As a replacement for purchasing first-hand editions of all your requirements be on the lookout of stores that sell second-hand items like IKEA in terms of furniture, and second-hand books that can be obtained for a lesser rate. Remember, the more items you purchase firsthand the packaging comes along with it which increases your carbon footprint.
Old is gold. Has the TV packed up? Is your fridge letting out funny noises? Instead of grabbing your wallet and rushing to the nearest store to replace it, stop for a moment and wonder about how useful it would be to consider repairing that item. You will save up time on racking your brain on which best model to acquire and you will also cut down on the debris being piled on at garbage landfill sites of discarded doodads.
Electricity is one of the greatest consumption in every household. A more environmental friendly step would be to use LED lights in place of the traditional light bulbs as LED power usage is significantly minor. In order to save up on natural resources to fuel power, you can also be on the lookout for items which have the Energy Star seal on them as they are more environmentally conscious products.
Another technique that could help towards electricity being saved up is by switching off the lights and fans when you leave the room, not keeping the air-conditioning on for too long and having the habit of unplugging chargers/connections when not in use.
As the world becomes more aware of the dire impact garbage has on the environment, more and more countries have started separating their garbage according to plastic, food items, biodegradable items and so on. You can do your part by reducing the sum of things you throw out by utilizing them for other purposes and by separating your trash with the help of different garbage bags for each form of waste.
One step that would make it easier for you to recycle would be to purchase those types of products that will have the competence to be recycled. For instance, opting for recycled paper cups over the regular paper cups. The label on the packaging will assist you in spotting out the differentiation.
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Guzzling all that H20 from that plastic bottle is deemed harmful not for the environment alone but for your health as well. It's time to let go of that unfriendly habit and get into the trend of using a metal bottle-BPA-free if possible. Not only will it last for an extended period of time but it will help safeguard the environment much faster.
Every year, 17 million barrels of oil are used in the production of disposable water bottles. Be that one person to make a change for the greater good. If you want to take it a step further you can get yourself a CamelBak too!
There is a desperate need for clean water around the world and there are many steps you can familiarize yourself with to ensure that the shortage is reduced. You could initiate by turning off the taps when brushing your teeth and by not allowing the water to flow for lengthy periods, shorter showers will contribute towards the cause too.
Refrain from washing clothes without need. Only when the requirement arises and when you have a full load put your clothes in the machine. Try to decrease the number of clothes that land in your laundry basket by re-wearing the garments that aren't dirty or that do not smell. By doing so you will save up to almost 30 gallons of water that are consumed per wash.
Get those leaky faucets or toilets fixed right away. Faulty indoor plumbing is the root cause for over a hundred gallons of water being wasted per day.
Only turn on the dishwasher when it is filled. There's little benefit in turning it on for only a few dirty dishes. You will relatively save up a lot of water by using this system.
It is crucial to keep in mind that every small step taken to facilitate in preserving the world you live in, is for the greater good towards ensuring a safer place to live in for the future generations to come. It may seem like an insignificant difference if you carry your own bag when you shop or if you shop virtually rather than take your car to the supermarket or even if you plant a few trees in your backyard. But over time all these changes will contribute to a healthier you and a healthier environment as well.
No attempt is trivial so take your pick on any of the techniques that suit you best and jump on to the bandwagon of helping preserve the environment!
Pro tip - being eco-friendly is a lot easier on the wallet.
