We have one planet, how we live impacts others, and how others live impacts us. We all need to improve the way we live our lives. Climate change and the slew of environmental issues that we hear about are caused by peoples' choices - my choices, your choices. You don’t need to be an environmentalist or green activist to make a green difference. All you need is to be eco conscious and start living sustainably- within the world’s limit.
It has been more than ten happy years, I have been advocating about green living. I have learned that a simple green choice directly impacts you, other people and the environment. What you buy, what you eat, what you wear, what you use, all these can reduce carbon footprints, empower people and above all benefit you in several ways. For example, you can buy natural and fair- trade body products which we use daily. What goes down the drain affects the water quality and the people living by it. The farmer who grew the herbs and workers who made it earns a fair wage. Your skin becomes supple, smooth and clean.
Honestly, being eco-conscious hasn’t made my life perfect, but made it better.
SIMPLE STEPS TO GO GREEN
Harvest rain water
Water is our most precious natural resource and something that most of us take for granted. As the water crisis continues to become severe in our country, there is a dire need of reform in water management system and revival of traditional systems. Water availability per capita has been on the decline in India. Ground water resource gets naturally recharged through percolation. But due to indiscriminate development and rapid urbanization, exposed surface for soil has been reduced drastically with resultant reduction in percolation of rainwater, thereby depleting ground water resource. Revival process should necessarily be backed by people's initiative and active public participation.
The harvesting of rainwater simply involves the collection of water from surfaces on which rain falls, and subsequently storing this water for later use. Normally water is collected from the roofs of buildings and stored in rainwater tanks. Water can also be collected in dams from rain falling on the ground and producing runoff. The water collected can be used for various uses.
Carpool
Carpooling also known as car-sharing, ride-sharing, lift-sharing and covoiturage, is the shared use of a car for commuting. When you share a car, you reduce air pollution, reduce traffic and reduce fossil fuel use while saving money for everyone involved.
Carry your own shopping bag
SAY NO TO PLASTIC. Use Re-usable shopping bag. This will avoid hundreds of plastic bags being dumped every day!Every single bag can effectively prevent the dumping of 200 throw-away plastic bags. Every single bag can provide a meaningful job to people who are empowering themselves. Every single bag can educate a whole family about environmental issues.
Give away
One of the best ways to clear up your mess and make your home clutter-free is to give away clothes and things to people in need. And if charity is not what you are looking for, don’t fret silly! There is an alternative, click, upload and sell it online.
Composting
Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden. It's easy to make and use.Do your bit to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. Even for households that are already composting, new research has found that almost half of the food waste in their rubbish bins could have been composted. Compost improves your soil's condition and your plants and flowers will love it!
It’s up to you and it’s up to me to make the earth a better place to live in.
Happy World Environment Day 2014.
