We all know the importance of the environment and how it is being threatened by different factors, including the emission of toxic gases, deforestation, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, melting of ice, overpopulation, among others.
Given this we can get to feel powerless, we can come to think that there is not much we can do about it given that these threats are caused mostly by the large industries and factors that escape our hands. However, there is still much to be done in our daily lives, small actions that when practiced by many people would generate a high impact on the protection of our planet.
Here are ten essential steps to protect the environment:
1. Use reusable bags when going to the supermarket
The plastic bags are composed of substances derived from petroleum which can take half a century to degrade. If we all adopt the practice of using reusable bags to make the purchase, we will reduce the need to manufacture plastic bags substantially, building that in turn consumes large amounts of energy.
2. Disconnect all electronic devices
We had all done it once when we finished charging our cell phone we left the charger connected. What many do not know is that the chargers, as well as other electronic devices, to remain connected to the power grid are in standby, consuming much energy unnecessarily. If we adopt the practice of disconnecting our cell phones, computers, televisions, etc., we would not only protect the environment but also save a lot of money.
3. Turn off the Faucet every time you do not need it
This small step can make a big difference in the amount of water we consume. By brushing our teeth or by lathering our hands, it is not necessary to leave the tap open, this practice spends enormous amounts of clean water, as well as impacting our pockets.
4. Separate your garbage
Separate plastics, cans and other recyclable products from organic waste. In many places, there are people who work in the municipal dumps collecting everything that can be recycled, and the mere fact of separating the garbage facilitates this task enormously. Also, by separating organic waste, we can use this as a fertilizer for our plants.
5. Change your transportation habits
Automobiles are the main polluter of the air in cities, they generate 80% of NO2 emissions and 60% of particle emissions. Therefore it is worthwhile to consider using public transport whenever possible, as well as using a bicycle, which besides not emitting any pollution is great for health.
6. Keep your car in optimal conditions
If for some reason it is not possible to practice the previous step, a good way to generate less pollution to the environment is to keep the car in good condition, something as small as keeping the tires fully inflated can reduce the amount of fuel used, and maintenance to the car this generates less polluting gases.
7. Fill the washing machine
The washing machines spend enormous amounts of water, around 40 gallons per wash. Therefore, it is best to wash clothes when they are enough to fill the device. With this small action, we can save thousands of gallons of water per year. It is also better to use cold water for our washes, saving electricity.
8. Use the hose as little as possible
When washing the car or the sidewalk it is better to use a bucket of water since the hose can spend up to 500 liters of water each time it is used. Also when watering the plants, it is better to do it very early in the morning or at dusk, to avoid that the water evaporates and thus have to water less.
9. Use LED bulbs
Lighting constitutes around 25% of the energy consumed in the home. This is why changing traditional bulbs with LED bulbs or low consumption is a great idea to protect the environment using less electricity. Another advantage is that the LED bulbs last around 70,000 hours, being able to last up to 50 years, saving money, as well as materials and energy used in their manufacture.
10. Buy local grocery products or grow your vegetables
The transportation of food to other regions is a great pollutant of the environment, so it is better to support the local food trade, not only by helping the local economy but also by generating less carbon dioxide by transport. But what is even better is to grow your vegetables if you have the possibility of planting them in your home, this is good for many reasons, including health, to have fresh and full of nutrients at your disposal.
Encourage more responsible use of electricity, fuel, and water, each small action can have a significant impact on the environment. For more tips on how to protect our planet, visit the article 110 ways to achieve a greener life where you will find many more tips to lead a more sustainable life.
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