The Agora Times

The earth is an incredible place, full of lush vegetation, rich soil, fresh water, and a wide variety of animal life, among other things. But as a result of industry and excess, resources are depleted or tainted every year, and much of the natural world and wildlife are put in jeopardy. As part of the earth, we need to step up and protect it from irreversible damage. In this article, I'll be giving you a few tips on going green, and doing your part in keeping the globe healthy and sustainable.

 

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - You've likely heard about the three R’s of waste management, but how well are you actually following them? Here's a refresher if you need one:

 

• REDUCE the amount of disposable, one-use products you use. The more trash you create, the more that winds up in landfills, or potentially pollutes the environment. If you drink bottled water, try using a water canteen or getting a water filter to cut down on plastic waste. If you use paper plates or plastic utensils, try to use a plate set or silverware instead.

 

• REUSE things instead of throwing them out after a couple of uses. You can not only stretch the life of old products, but save newer ones by buying less of them. Save used sheets of paper as scrap for writing notes down on. Mend damaged clothing or save the fabric for scraps if you sew. Rinse out margarine tubs or jam jars to use for storage instead of buying new containers.

 

• RECYCLE. By collecting recyclable materials (cardboard, newspapers, aluminum cans, etc.), and setting them out for pick up, they can be repurposed by a recycling plant for use in newer products. Make sure that the items you are trying to recycle are actually recyclable, and aren’t stained or trashed.

 

• Conserve Water - Water is an important source of life for every living creature on Earth, especially us humans. And unfortunately, there isn’t a never-ending supply of fresh water to meet our needs forever. It's important that we are conscious of how much water we are using, and to make sure that every drop used counts. Something as simple as keeping the faucet off while brushing your teeth or not letting the shower run until you've actually gotten in can save a lot of water over time. Consider how often you and the rest of your household use and consume water, and what you could do to reduce your usage.

 

• Avoid Chemicals and Pesticides - Pesticides and herbicides are chemicals that are normally used for killing and warding off bugs and weeds that would otherwise destroy crops. Apart from agricultural use, people also spray them on their lawns or in their gardens. While this can protect the grass and the flowers from being eaten or killed, it can also kill harmless insects and wildflowers that are a vital part of the ecosystem. In addition, when rain falls on contaminated plants, the chemicals wash away into rivers or lakes, polluting the water and poisoning the organisms within and around the water. If you or your family use pesticides and herbicides, consider eliminating them from your gardening practices, or at least reducing usage.

 

By incorporating these and other practices into your daily lifestyle, you can ensure that the environment and everything within it can thrive. Earth can remain a sustainable and healthy planet to live for generations to come, and it all starts with you.

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Thumbnail Source: https://www.space.com/54-earth-history-composition-and-atmosphere.html