Today is World Environment Day. A day when all of us need to dedicate ourselves to protecting the environment. Global warming and greenhouse gases are some of the big problems which we as individuals cannot do much about. But there are a number of small things, which we can do to protect the environment. After all, it is such small things that have a cumulative positive effect.
So, what are these small measures we could take to protect our environment?
1. Water conservation: Water is becoming a very scarce resource. This is unfortunately not highlighted much by the media, which is more bothered about controversies. Groundwater levels are falling, lakes are drying out and soon all water resources are going to dry up. Add to this, our overdependence on the monsoon for everything - if we have a couple of bad monsoon years, we are finished.
So many times, we leave the tap running, for instance, while brushing our teeth. If we can instead use a mug of water, that would help to save some water. And setting up rainwater harvesting in our homes is a good idea to create water resources. As a minimum, we can allow the rainwater to be redirected to recharge borewells, thus conserving water.
2. Avoid Plastic : Plastic is a well known menace for the environment. Yet we keep using plastic covers for everything. If we can switch over to paper covers, we can do our bit for the environment in a small way. Also, when going for shopping, if we can carry our bags from home, we can avoid plastic covers.
3. Air pollution :Our vehicles pollute the air. And driving anyway is a stressful experience. So, if we can use public transport atleast one day a week, that will be helpful. Also, many a times, we drive even for short distances. Walking short distances not only helps the environment, but also is good for our body!
4. Greenery : Grow a plant if you have the place in your house, atleast in a pot. Keeping plants around the house helps us to get fresh oxygen. A terrace garden is a good option, whereby we can even grow vegetables and be self-sufficient. (Farmville addicts can have a mini-farm at home!)
5. Recycling : Recycling is a good way to re-use waste material. Firstly, we can avoid throwing plastic waste. Old clothes can easily be recycled by giving it to those who need it. Also, we generate lot of paper and then throw it away. So, lets avoid taking printouts and use e-documents, where possible.
6. Energy conservation :Power cuts and power shortage are well-known urban problems. We can do our bit to conserve energy by taking some simple measures:
a) Air conditioners consumes lots of energy. So avoid ACs if you can, good old fans and coolers work. Also switch off ACs when required.
b) Switch offlights and TV when not being used.
c) Switch offthe mainsfor computer systems, keeping the computer in sleep mode also consumers power. Also switch off the monitor, if you have to leave your computer for a short time.
d) Any appliance, even if not used, pulls some power if connected to the plug point - especially mobile chargers. So, please pull out all wires from plug points, when not in use.
e) Using energy efficient lights, like CFLand LEDlights.
f) Using LPGfor cookinginstead of electricity and also LPG in carsinstead of petrol helps us to be energy efficient.
g) Solar based heatersfor hot water instead of geysers is a good option, and also in Karnataka allows a discount on power bills.
Hope these tips were useful, on this day I promise to try to follow as many of these as possible. On this day, let us try and do what we can to protect our environment and save our planet.
Please do share your views friends, on how we can protect the environment.
