World Environment Day (WED) celebrated on 5 June to raise awareness on the effects of harmful human activities on our environment. The theme of the WED 2015 was "Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care" and this can be achieved by "sustainable lifestyles."
What is sustainable lifestyle?
Pure, healthy and green environment is important for human lives. Today world is facing huge environmental issues such as deforestation, wastage of food, air pollution, water shortage, and global warming. According to a study, "Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past century, and is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5°F over the next hundred years. Rising global temperatures have been accompanied by changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting and sea levels are rising."
The only solution to save the future generation from drastic global changes is 'sustainable living'. Living in balance with nature in a symbiotic relationship without harm to the earth's ecology is known as sustainable living. It is maintaining a way of life that maximizes harmony with the earth and minimizes harm to the environment.
There are many ways to adopt sustainable lifestyles. The simple things we can do at home and work to conserve and protect our habitat will improve our quality of life. Here is what we can do to save our environment.
Gardening:
To ensure healthy clean and sustainable environment nothing is better than gardening and plantation. Plants and trees are greatly useful as air cleaners; they absorb carbon dioxide and many air pollutants, they release clean oxygen and spread fragrance. The simple act of planting a garden is an effective way to take part in efforts to save our climate. It has been proven that an effective, environmental landscape design can cool your home in summer and warm it in winter. Whether you have a huge gardening space or small terrace, if you want a healthy and fresh environment, grow your own vegetable garden. There are many vegetables and fruits such as cherry tomatoes, strawberries and herbs, which can thrive well in containers and pots.
Conserve energy:
Saving energy improves the quality of local environment. When we use less energy, we save precious natural resources and cut down on pollution. Energy efficiency makes our environment more enjoyable. There are number of ways to save energy to keep natural resources on the earth for our future generation.
To save energy shut lights and turn off power to appliances when not in use. Change to new and improved energy saver light bulbs. Avoid waste of water, never leave water running when washing dishes or brushing teeth. If you wash your car at home using an ordinary hose, you can use up to 150 gallons of water. When washing your car, take it either to a self-service car wash, or use a shut off nozzle on your hose when washing it a home.
Plastic bags are hazardous for the environment. These bags never vanish in the earth; they just break into small pieces. Plastic bags are dangerous for marine life as well. Ocean species often swallowed or tangled in them.
Avoid using pesticides, insecticides, and aerosol spray since these are extremely harmful for our health and impact negatively to earth atmosphere. Check the gaskets around your refrigerator/freezer doors to make sure they are clean and sealed tightly. Unplug computers televisions and other electronics before leaving the house or going to bed at night.
Turn down your water heater during summer. If every household turned its water heater thermostat down we could prevent million tons of annual CO2 to protect the environment. Carbon dioxide emissions contribute to global warming and air pollution, both of which can cause cancer and other illnesses in human beings. Conserving energy reduces the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere and can lead to a better quality of health for people.
Stop Pollution:
We intentionally and unintentionally are responsible for spreading many forms of pollution. There are several ways to prevent pollution and save the earth from the sever climate change. To prevent pollution do not litter, especially in or near water sources. Use natural lawn fertilizers, such as manure instead of chemical fertilizers. Buy organic food that is produced without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Dispose off hazardous materials, such as paint, motor oil, antifreeze and lawn fertilizers responsibly, never down household drains or in the gutter.
When shopping for a new or used vehicle (or even renting a vehicle), choose the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs. To improve your fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, go easy on the brakes and gas pedal, avoid hard accelerations, and unload unnecessary items in your trunk to reduce weight. Turn off your engine instead of letting it idle to save fuel and money and reduce pollution. A well-maintained car is more fuel-efficient, produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, is more reliable and is safer!
Check your tire pressure regularly. Under-inflation increases tire wear, reduces your fuel economy, and leads to higher greenhouse gas and other air pollutant emissions.
Burning of household garbage is dangerous for human health and environment as well. A new study revealed that burning garbage is throwing hazardous toxic particles in the air. About 29 percent of toxic, lung-affecting particles come from burning garbage.
We should do our part to save environment to give our generation safe future.