With unpredictable weather and climatic changes becoming a major concern globally, the responsibility of protecting the environment does not rely alone on Nobel Peace prize winners Al Gore and UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. All of us have a role to play in making our Mother Earth a better place to live, not only for today's generation, but for many more generations to come.
Being one who loves nature and likes to climb mountains, trek jungles and do all sorts of adventure outdoors, it pains to think that the environment is on the brink of destruction due to human recklessness and nonchalant attitude, unless we all start doing something to prevent it.
These are just a few things that I do to protect the environment. Hope you too can do your own little part.
- I recycle as much as I can. Bottles, plastic bags, newspapers, even printing ink cartridges, all can be recycled. In my neighborhood, there's a recycle center for charity accepting all kinds of stuff, and at the same time, the organization that handles the job use the proceeds for charity. I regularly send all my recyclable items to this center instead of throwing them just anywhere.
- I use airconditioning sparingly. Conserve the use of electricity since the more electricity we use, the more fuel we burn. I use timer for aircon so that I use it enough only for a good night sleep. I switch off electrical items when not in use too.
- Use water wisely. I brush teeth at the same time that I am in the shower. This way I can save few liters of water everyday. I wash my car only when really necessary to save a few more liters. I do laundry weekly to maximize the load of the washing machine, thus wastage of water is minimized.
- Since I wash my laundry weekly, I am reducing my use of surfactant-based products like detergent. Surfactants are said to be non-biodegradable and can cause ecological imbalance. If you can find alternative those that are surfactant-free, go for them. If no alternatives available, make sure to use these chemicals less and less. Same thing applies to our shampoos, soaps and shower gels. It may sound ridiculous, but bathe only when necessary.
- As a paint chemist, I formulate coatings that are environment-friendly - low VOC, low odor. Although paint is just a small part of the major contributors to air pollutants that can destroy the ozone layer, at least, we are doing our part of being responsible in our actions to the environment.
This is an appeal to everyone to care for the environment. There is no such thing as we cannot do anything. We have many ways to contribute, little ways, all it takes is your own initiative and commitment to do it.
PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT, SAVE MOTHER EARTH!!
