How to Save Our Environment

Earth was an abundant, giving, benign planet that provided enough for everyone. Then there was civilization, and numerous discoveries and inventions were made. With these discoveries began a whole new life and lifestyle. Everyone was content, everyone happy. But soon enough, people wanted more.

"Life should be simpler", they thought. More inventions were made, easier ways to survive, discovered. All was merry until one day people realized that there wasn't enough to go around anymore. Life was getting tougher again. Water was scarce, and there was no electricity for convenience.

The dishwasher wouldn't work, nor would the washing machine. People had to resort to manual labor again. They had come a full circle, but this was a circle that would end, soon. There was simply not enough to go around anymore.

This is how it began, and this is how it will end. With the rate at which we are depleting the environment and all that it has to offer, not much is going to be left to survive on. We can't even think of our coming generations, it's our own survival we have to worry about.

For this we need to learn how to save our environment, by unlearning some of the things we have become habituated to and taken for granted.

You don't have to make drastic changes to your lifestyle, neither do you have to give up on anything big to be able to contribute your bit to save the environment. All you need to do is resort to some simple ways to do so. When all of us start making these changes, the cumulative effort will result in a beautiful environment that we can gift to our offspring

1. Start by turning off the lights, fans and other electronic items when you leave a room. Don't use lights that are unnecessary. Switch off your computer monitor when you are not at your desk if you can't turn it off.

Don't leave your microwave or television on standby when not in use - unplug them. All these electronic appliances utilize a lot of electricity even when on standby.

2. Have your washing machine, air conditioner, dryer, and dishwasher serviced on a regular basis. When serviced, they utilize lesser energy. If possible, avoid using a dryer and hang your clothes on a clothesline. Not only will you save power and reduce your contribution to global warming, you will also have clothes that last longer and smell fresher.

3. Start using CFLs instead of fluorescent bulbs. These lights have been made for the purpose of saving energy. Also, invest in non-CFC products such as microwaves, refrigerators and air-conditioners.

There are brands of these appliances that are designed to save energy. Not only will they reduce power consumption and help the environment, they will also help you cut down your electricity bills.

4. Give up plastic bags and take to recycling newspaper to make paper bags for your use. The disposal of plastic and its effects are among the biggest environmental issues that are now troubling the world. Try to make the most of paper. You know it is easily recyclable.

5. To further save paper, unsubscribe to bank statements delivered by e-mail, and view your bills online. Buy and use only e-tickets. In a few years, this is the only option you will have. Get used to it now. You can only marvel at the huge number of trees you can save in this process and contribute to the conservation of natural resources.

6. Wash your car in your lawn if you must. That way you can water your plants as well as have a clean car. If you can afford it, go to a professional car wash service. These guys use water more efficiently than you would on your own.

7. Do your bit for nature by planting a tree. A lot of agencies plant trees in your name, and all you have to do is sign up there. Nurture the tree and watch it grow. If all of us plant one tree it will make a whole world of a difference, and a difference to the whole world.

8. Whenever possible, try and walk instead of taking your car. Better still, take your bike for a spin. You're doing your health some good, saving gas, and helping the environment.

9. Maintain your car so that it functions the way it is supposed to, without utilizing too much energy to function. This will also reduce the amount of environmental pollution that is caused by your vehicle.

10. Bathe from a bucket instead of using the shower to enable water conservation. You probably don't realize the amount of water that is running when you simply leave the shower on when unnecessary. The same holds true when shaving, brushing, washing the dishes, washing your hands with soap, etc.

11. Introspect and see how many electrical appliances you actually need and what you can do manually. Yes, manual work does take a little time, but if you do have the time and can utilize it for the purpose, why not do so?

For instance, pick one day of the week where you will wash your clothes by hand and not in the washing machine. It may take a little time getting used to, but as mentioned earlier, if everyone does this, imagine how much water you will save and how much you will help the environment.

12. Organize your errands so that you can complete as many as possible in one outing. This way you save fuel (if you are dependent on a vehicle to run your errands) and the environment.

13. Recycle as much as possible. You don't always have to buy new things when you can recycle and reuse the things around you. There are lots of blogs and websites dedicated to telling users how to recycle effectively. Take a step and see how you can save not only the environment, but a lot of money too. Try it and you will see the difference.

This is the least we can all do to save our environment to begin with. As mentioned earlier, don't worry about what the world is doing. Worry about your own deeds that are contributing to the numerous environmental problems on this planet.

Just do your bit and it will make a huge difference. Don't wonder, 'how much can one person change?' Every individual change contributes to one large whole, and this makes all the difference.