19 Easy Ways In Which You Can Do Your Part In Helping The Environment
chaitra krishnanMA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Experience: 5 yearsChaitra has a triple main bachelor’s degree in journalism, communicative English, and economics from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from St... more
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Most of us lead a comfortable life owing to all the resources that help us survive. In fact, some of us even have the privilege of using other people’s share of resources as well. As unfair as it is, the human race has gone way ahead on that road by snatching away resources from the future generations as well. Most of us don’t even realize that we’re all living on a drowning Titanic because we’re trying to make our bubble fancier than everyone else’s. Sorry to burst your bubble if you’re living in one because climate change is real, global warming is real, and ozone layer depletion is as real as you are.
We may not be able to make direct decisions on environment-friendly policies on an international level and shut down large multinational corporations who choke our environment. But, there are certain things that each one of us can do in our daily lives to help the environment. It may sound silly, but if every person on this planet becomes alert and follows these small steps, we might be able to make a huge difference. Read on to know more.
1. Use Reusable Bags
Ditch the plastic bags and opt for cloth or paper bags that you can reuse. Always keep a cloth bag rolled in your bag so that if you suddenly decide to do a quick stroll through the grocery shop, you can use your cloth bag. Once your cloth bag gets dirty, you can either wash it and reuse or use them to clean the house.
2. Use Reusable Containers For Food And Water
If your lunchbox and water bottle are plastic, you’ve got to kick them out of your lives. Buy steel or copper water bottles and steel or glass lunch boxes that are environment-friendly. Don’t throw away the old plastic containers, use them to store things in your kitchen. Just don’t buy new plastic items anymore.
3. Get A Water Purifier
Having a water purifier at home and at your workplace will help avoid plastic bottled water.
4. Separate Your Waste And Recycle
Separate your daily waste to wet waste and dry waste before disposal so that recycling is easy. If you do not have a government facility that collects garbage, drop of the recyclable goods at a local facility and use the wet waste to make compost for your garden.
5. Cook At Home
If you cook at home, you wouldn’t have to buy food packed in plastic. If you crave for outside food, go for a dine-out or order food from restaurants which provide environment-friendly packaging.
6. Print Less
Read on your smartphone or laptop and avoiding printing things as much as possible.
7. Save Water When Bathing
Go for a quick shower or a “bucket bath” rather than playing Beyonce under the shower or taking a tub bath.
8. Take Carpools
Carpooling saves your money, helps with traffic, saves fuel, and reduces pollution. Period.
9. Walk And Cycle
If you have to go somewhere nearby, walk or cycle because it helps you stay healthy and are better than smoke-spitting vehicles.
10. Save Electricity
That habit of keeping the lights on in every single room at night? It’s very irresponsible because you’re wasting so much of precious energy! Switch to new, power-saving appliances and toss the old ones for recycling.
11. Plant Trees
Trees are our rescuers in every way and you’ve learned that back in primary school. So plant a tree every weekend, not just in your yard but anywhere you feel they’ll grow.
12. Use Air Conditioners And Refrigerators Wisely
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are components used in refrigerators and air conditioners. These compounds are directly linked to ozone layer depletion and they worsen global warming (1). So, switch off the air conditioners whenever you don’t need them and do not keep the fridge open for too long.
13. Switch To Menstrual Cups
Sanitary pads are made of plastic and they fill our landmines. Every month we use at least three packets of sanitary pads — you can guess the amount of the plastic waste we create for the next 30 years. The better option is to switch to menstrual cups or eco-friendly sanitary pads.
14. Use Natural Cleaning Agents
You don’t need a cleaning spray to make your mirror shine — some fresh lemon juice is enough for that. Similarly, you can opt for natural cleaning agents that will not pollute our water bodies, to clean our house.
15. Carry Garbage Bags When You Travel To Remote Areas
If you’re traveling to a beautiful island or to the mountains, carry garbage bags with you. The waste management systems in those areas won’t be as developed as they are in your city. Also, the idea of having to carry back your waste will remind you to use less non-biodegradable items during your trip.
16. Do Not Litter
Put the wrapper of your chocolate back in your bag after you’re done with it. Drop it only when you find a dustbin or take it back home and drop it in the waste bin there.
17. Help The Pollinators
Keep some water and food outside your balcony for birds and insects to feed on. They might look disgusting and may dirty your balcony, but without them, there is no agriculture and there is no food.
18. Skip Fireworks
We know they are so much fun! But there are many other things that are fun but harmful. So, skip the fireworks (and hope that someday we’ll have eco-friendly ones).
19. Avoid Air Travels As Much As Possible
Air travels emit too much carbon dioxide and they require more fossil fuel than the train. So, minimize the air travel and enjoy your ride on the train whenever you can.
Each one of us has the opportunity to save our planet and become a hero if we have the eyes to see it and the heart to do it. So, if you want your future children to stay safe and if you don’t want to sink and die in a flood during your old age, try to incorporate the above practices into your life. What are the things that you do to help our planet? Let us know in the comments below.
