Your Role in Preserving the Environment

Man is seemingly in a race to destroy his planet. Human beings extract about 55 billion tonnes of natural resources such as fossil fuels and biomass from the earth. Between 1990 and 2016, the world lost more than 1.3 square kilometers of forest. At that rate of deforestation, environmental scientists estimate the world will lose 5-10 percent of tropical forest species per year. Perhaps the greatest indicator that we have become incautious with our planet is global warming. On average, global temperatures have increased by 0.17 degrees Celsius per decade since 1970.

Global leaders have failed to curb carbon emissions and other means of environmental destruction, and so have we. When the perilous threats that climate change and global warming pose to this planet are brought up, the most concerned among us take to social media with hashtags. We pile all blame on the political class and forget that we are also part of this destructive mission. After all, we are the consumers of the products that are causing environmental destruction. Below are some of the lifestyle changes you can adopt to preserve the environment.

Change your transport habits

Motor vehicles are a major cause of global warming. For example, according to to the EPA, the transport sector was the largest source of greenhouses gases in 2017, accounting for about 30 percent of the total emissions. On average a passenger car in the US emits about 404 grams of carbon dioxide per mile through its tailpipe. Evidently, if everyone reduces the number of miles they drive per year, we will cut carbon emissions substantially. Some of the habits to help us achieve this are

• Walk or take a bike to school or work

• Carpool with your classmates and coworkers

• Use public transport

• When possible, work from home

• Don't leave your car running if you are waiting for more than 10 seconds; idling burns more fuel than restarting the engine.

Use clean sources of energy

According to the EPA reports, the energy sector is the largest generator of greenhouse emissions in the U.S. Fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas account for about 63 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. In 2017, energy production accounted for about 27.5 percent of total greenhouse emissions while commercial and residential energy use contributed 11.6 percent of the total emissions. Switching to clean sources of energy such as solar panels will do the planet a favor. How do solar panels work? Solar panels trap sunlight and convert it into electricity. The entire process of production and consumption of solar energy does not release greenhouse gases. Other sources of clean energy are biogas and wind power

Besides switching to clean energy, the following are some of the environmental-friendly energy use habits you should adopt

• Use energy efficient bulbs

• Switch off all lights before leaving the house

• Sometimes wash clothes and dishes in cold water

• Use the washing and dishwasher machines when full to increase energy efficiency

Never forget your reusable shopping bag

According to the Center for Biodiversity, the average American family uses about 1500 plastic shopping bags annually. Only about 1 percent of these bags are recycled. Those that are not buried in landfills end up water bodies. It’s estimated that plastic bags kill more than 100, 000 marine animals every year. More than 267 marine species have been harmed by plastics pollution.

If you make carrying your own shopping bag a habit, you'll help reduce the number of plastic bags in the environment. Unfortunately, a shopping bag is that thing you are likely to forget when rushing out of the house. It's therefore advisable to keep several shopping bags in your car and handbags. This habit should extend to other plastics. For example, you can reduce plastic pollution by switching from bottled water to reusable water bottles.

Be a conservative water user

About 663 million people in the world do not have access to an improved water source according to UNICEF. If you do your part and avoid wasting clean water, you'll reduce the strain on natural water sources. examples of habits that conserve water are

• Using a water-efficient showerhead

• Turning the faucet off when brushing teeth, washing hands, and shaving; this could save up to 200 water gallons per month.

• Regularly checking for leaks and repairing them

• Shortening your shower time

• Investing in water-efficient home appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines

Buy green products

It's said that people vote with their dollars in a capitalist world; if you are buying products that damage the environment, you are saying yes to environmental pollution. Before buying a product, evaluate how environmentally friendly it is. For example, look at what it’s made from and the materials used to package it. If consumers shift to green products, manufacturers will be forced to follow.

Buy second-hand products and repair before disposing

Consumerism and environmental pollution are closely related. The more buy, the more you dispose and pollute the planet. Further, the runaway environmental destruction is encouraged by the demand for products such as furniture. If you extend the life of your products, you will avoid littering the environment and also reduce the rate of extraction of natural materials. Before disposing of any home appliance, check if it can be repaired. Further, when shopping for home appliances, pass by the second-hand store in your area or online. You might find second-hand products that will meet your needs, save the environment, and save your money.

Recycle

Some companies take back plastic products for recycling. Find out if there are such companies in your area. In most cases, your job will be just placing the waste at a place where the recycling company can collect it. For lighter materials such as plastic bags, you can carry them to the factory. If you find a recycling company, you can talk to your neighbors so you put your recyclable waste together for easier collection.

Share these ideas with others

If you implement the above ideas, you will have played your role in preserving the environment. The rate of environmental destruction is high; we need everyone to go green. Unfortunately, not everyone will come across this article. Help spread the message through word of mouth and social media platforms.