Save the Environment
By Ishita Sharma
A clean and healthy environment is part and parcel of the wealth and quality of life that we desire for ourselves now and for our children in the future. People demand that the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the food they eat is free of pollution and contaminants; they want to live undisturbed by noise, and they want to enjoy the beauty of the countryside, unspoiled coastlines and mountain areas. They also want a world that is not threatened by climate change.
Healthy and balanced natural systems are essential for supporting life on this planet. Society relies on nature to provide us with the resources for our survival: air, water, food, fibers, medicines, and building materials. Children need to grow up aware of the nature around them. As human beings we have a responsibility to preserve the actual value of nature both for ourselves and for future generations.
In recent decades, there has been a growing realization that the quality of our air, water, soil, and food affect the quality of our health and of our lives. This ranges from increased allergies, respiratory disease, and cancers to the disorder of the body's hormone and fertility systems, and premature death. The causes of our various environment-health problems are numerous and include pollution from transport, agricultural activities, industrial processes, domestic waste matter and waste management.
It is our duty to protect our environment. To save our planet.
Taking steps to conserve and reuse is easier than you might think. You can do your part just by changing your daily habits. To help save the environment, try decreasing energy and water consumption, changing your eating and transportation habits to conserve natural resources, and adapting your home and yard to be more environmentally friendly. Once you've made your own lifestyle more environmentally conscious, you can also engage in activism to help educate others on doing the same.
A few ways in which we can do this are:
1. Switch off anything that uses electricity when not in use. If you're not using it, turn it off. This goes for lights, televisions, computers, printers, and so on.
Put timers on lamps and use them to turn off lamps at the same time each day. Timers like these can be found in hardware stores and they can be plugged into outlets, then control the power to your lamp.
You can also find heaters and fans that have timers on them. So if it's cold or hot during the night it will switch off for you. Most of the timers go for an hour and then automatically switch off.
2. Unplug devices when possible. Leaving devices plugged in, such as laptop chargers or toasters, can use "phantom" energy. Even when an appliance is turned off, it may still use power because the applications on the electronics will constantly use electricity.[1] It is best to unplug anything that you do not anticipate using in the next 36 hours (or more).
Use a power strip to turn lots of things off with the flip of a single switch. You can plug all your devices in one area—say, your computer—into a power strip. When you're done, simply turn the power strip off with the switch.
Measure the energy your devices use or look up typical energy use. To measure usage yourself, use a Kill-a-Watt. You plug an appliance in through the Kill-A-Watt, and it measures the power use. This tool can also tell you whether a particular appliance or device draws power when it is turned off.
3. Trade in your dryer for a good old-fashioned clothesline. Air Drying leaves your clothes smelling fresh and is environmentally friendly. Tumble dryers are among the biggest energy users in most households, after the refrigerator and air conditioner. If you do use a dryer, make sure to keep the vent clear, for safety as well as efficiency.
Also, when using a washing machine, make sure you have a full load of dirty clothes. Do not just put a couple of dirty clothes into the washing machine as that wastes water. Instead make sure you have a full load of dirty clothing to conserve the water and electricity.
If you want, you can also hand wash clothes in a sink or buy a energy efficiency washing machine that doesn't use a lot of water.
4. Run your air conditioner sparingly or not at all. Air conditioners use a great deal of electricity. Use natural ventilation or a fan to keep cool, as much as possible.
If you do use an air conditioner, set it to a slightly lower temperature than outside. Remember that setting the temperature lower uses more electricity, and it won't cool things off any faster.
5. Close the heating and air conditioning vents in your home. If you are not using certain rooms in your house, close the vents in these rooms, and close the doors. Doing this consistently will reduce the amount of energy squandered by heating or cooling seldom occupied spaces.
6. Don't use electronic exercise machines. Instead of using exercise equipment, use a real bicycle (or a unicycle), or walk to get to nearby destinations or for pleasure. Calisthenics, push-ups, and other bodyweight exercises work, as well.
7. Conserve water. Make conscious choices to lower your consumption of water.
(a) Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub only one-quarter to one-third full.
(b) Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
(c) Install low flow faucets (taps) or aerators, low-flow shower heads, and low-flush toilets.
(d) Run your dishwasher only when it is completely full.
(e) Wash full loads of laundry in a washing machine. Choose a front-load machine if possible.
(f) If you hand wash your car, park it on your lawn and use buckets and sponges. Use the hose to rinse. Use a hose nozzle to stop the water or turn the hose off between rinses. Keep in mind, however, that the soap and other cleaning products might go down the storm drain (if you have one), leading to pollution.
(g) If you have a swimming pool, use pool covers to reduce evaporation and keep leaves out.
(h) Plant drought tolerant landscaping, and consider xeriscaping. Maintain your outdoor irrigation and water no more than is necessary.
- Carpooling will also enable you to take the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on a highway. This lane will usually save time and money on gasoline.
- If you live near your children's school, consider organizing a "walking school bus" instead of driving. Children walk to school together in groups, supervised and guided by parents. Neighborhood parents can take turns leading the group.
9. Donate or share usable household items. Instead of throwing away items, consider giving them away. Donate usable clothes and household items to charity. Many organizations will send a truck for pickup.
Little things really do mean a lot, and the more eco-conscious you become in your daily life, the more you are doing to preserve the planet for the long haul. While it isn't always convenient or easy to live a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle, it is a way of life that will provide you with greater peace of mind.
Protect the Environment!
Bibliography:
http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Ways_to_Protect_the_Environment
https://ypte.org.uk/factsheets/environment/introduction
https://ypte.org.uk/factsheets/environment/introduction
Bibliography:
http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Ways_to_Protect_the_Environment
https://ypte.org.uk/factsheets/environment/introduction
https://ypte.org.uk/factsheets/environment/introduction
