The Earth is our home, but lately, we haven’t been keeping our world happy. News about worsening global warming, natural disasters, and the bad state of pollution are all we can see. This has to stop.
It’s time to make Mother Earth happy.
It’s about time we save the environment from all the destruction we have caused. Humans have taken advantage of our natural resources too much that the damage is coming back to us in worst ways anyone can imagine.
The succeeding generations deserve a home, free from all the dilapidation of nature that’s happening right now. But this can’t be done by just one person – it has to be a collective effort where every single person alive contributes.
Is it possible? Yes, it is. As long as everyone’s in it, we can save our home.
As of 2050, the world’s oceans are predicted to be filled with more plastics than marine life. Before this happens, it’s time to wake up and act on it.
The problem at hand is at large, but it’s not too late. There’s still time to save the world’s natural resources and there’s plenty that you can do.
Say No to Single-Use Items
Single-use items are nuisance to the environment. They add up to the garbage that we already have. If you don’t stop using single-use products, the trash will keep on piling up in mountains most likely as tall as Mount Everest.
The problem, however, is that the economy is brimming with single-use items. That’s why it’s natural for people to think that it’s almost impossible to not use any of these products.
Straws, to-go containers, plastic grocery bags, and disposable razors are just some of the single-use items offered by the economy. You’re probably thinking, “How can I drink if I don’t have a straw? How can I take home leftover from the restaurant without to-go containers?” Don’t worry; it’s possible.
The simple act of turning down the use of these materials can make a lot of difference in the world. How can you do this? Here’s how.
Drink straight from the cup or buy a reusable stainless steel straw or a bamboo straw. Every time you go to, say Starbucks, and you order a grande Hibiscus tea with pomegranate pearl, ditch the straw. You can opt for a stainless steel straw which will allow you to enjoy any drink with pearls or coffee jelly.
Always bring a tumbler. Wherever you may be, it’s best to have a tumbler with you. If you’re at McDonald’s, you can ask the staff to put your drink in the tumbler instead of in a disposable cup. You can even use it in your favorite coffee shop. The battle can be won with one cup at a time.
Pack some wooden or stainless utensils. If you’re fond of eating outside, say no to plastic spoons and forks and simply use your own utensils. There are, of course, some countries that have started banning the use of plastics, but not everyone has remained compliant. To be sure, bring your utensils with you. There are some sets that come with chopsticks, which you can use if you go to a Chinese restaurant.
Use reusable containers in storing food. Whether you’re taking leftover food from the restaurant or shopping for some tenderloin at the grocery, you can use reusable containers instead of plastic or Styrofoam containers.
Switch to washable pads or menstrual cups. Ditch the regular napkins or tampons and opt for washable pads or menstrual cups. Pads that you can wash can get rid of the pile of napkins and tampons in the trash. Menstrual cups can also help you save the environment. You can use one for at least 7 to 12 years long. All you have to do is rinse it after more or less 12 hours.
Keep eco-bags with you when you shop. Eco-bags are friendly to Mother Earth, unlike plastic bags. With eco-bags, you won’t have to fear about tearing when your groceries become too heavy. If you have plastic bags at home, keep them and reuse them when you go to the groceries instead of throwing them into the trash right after using them.
Go for an Organic Lifestyle
An organic lifestyle is often mistaken as that of a vegan’s way of living, but it’s far from that. To sum up an organic lifestyle, you only have to buy produce from local and small-scale businesses. It’s time to bid imported goods good-bye – for good for the greater good.
Buying local means supporting local farmers and businesses. It also means you get to consume food that’s naturally-grown, unlike imported food that went through a lot of processes and packaging, which add up to the garbage and pollution that the world is facing right now.
It seems a far-fetched idea when you think of it, but Denmark is on its way to becoming an organic country. If an entire country can make a 52-point plan to go organic, anyone can do it, too.
Organic produce is fresh, which means the food tastes so much more flavorful. You can buy from small-scale businesses in your community, or you can plant your own fruits and vegetables.
Planting these will help reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and you get to eat naturally-grown produce. You’re not only eating healthy; you’re also helping the save the environment.
Opt for New Travel Habits
Carbon footprint is another issue that we are facing at present. In the US, about 90 percent of road transportation relies on oil. One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to change your means of transportation.
Driving to work every day adds up to the carbon footprint in the atmosphere. To change that, you can ditch the car. Walking or biking are plausible travel options for you.
Of course, it depends on the distance of your office from your home. If it’s nearer, walking is better, not only for the environment, but also for your health. Your body gets the much needed exercise it deserves when you walk to work.
Biking, on the other hand, is an even better option if your office is farther from your home. It’s also a great exercise for you. Cardio before and after work will do some good to your energy, your blood sugar levels, your fats, and your muscles.
If neither works for you, public transportation is a more probable setting. Just imagine how much carbon footprint doesn’t go to the environment when you don’t use your car. Also, you get to save some money since gas is much more costly than paying public transportation fees.
Apart from day-to-day transportation, there’s also vacations. Vacation is something that every person needs once in a while.
There are, of course, viable local destinations. Before flying, consider driving to see the amazing natural resources your own town or state has to offer.
Of course, if you have to travel by air, whether to another state or abroad, you may want to consider buying carbon credits to offset the environmental impact.
Making Mother Earth happy should be on top of your priorities. The Earth is your home, so help out and take care of it. Don’t let yourself or anyone else abuse the natural resources the world has.
Everything has a limit in this world. Keep tabs on everything you do and make sure it doesn’t reduce everything that the Earth gives us and will give the generations to come.
When you take care of yourself, you take care of Mother Earth.
