We all want to help conserve the environment and protect the Earth from deterioration. This is why global events like today’s Earth Hour are important to note.
Earth Hour is observed every year, on the last Saturday of March, when people across the world switch off all their lights for an hour starting at 8:30 pm. The event that started in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund, turned into one of the biggest global environmental movements.
There has been some debate over whether this actually helps conserve the environment in any significant way. But limited use of lights can never be a bad thing. Doing our bit for the environment is what matters, and while switching off lights may be a great initiative, there are many other small yet effective things you can do to contribute.
Recycling is a great way to make sure we don’t waste more than we need to. And recycling doesn’t necessarily apply only for plastic bottles. You can collect your old clothes, books, and toys and donate them to one of the many organisations that work with people who need them. Clothes and books that can’t be re-used, can also be recycled into other products by these organisations. Before throwing something in the trash, ask yourself if someone else can use it in a meaningful way. If the answer is yes, then recycle it.
Switching off your lights isn’t enough. If you leave something plugged in (like a charger or appliance), it still costs energy. So, if you’re done charging your tablet or you see an unused appliance plugged in, unplug it. Do keep in mind to make sure that you’re doing it in a safe manner.
Try getting a personal bottle for any drinks, whenever you go out, so you don’t have to use plastic cups or plastic bottles of water. You can also switch to using metal straws instead of plastic or paper ones when you eat out.
Discuss this with your parents before you start. Starting a compost bin is a great way to make sure you’re contributing to waste reduction. There are many ways to compost that are explained in detail online. Pick a style that suits you and get your family involved in the project, too!
No, this isn’t your mom writing this article, don’t worry! Eating more plant-based foods has been shown to help the environment. Meat and dairy products take a lot of energy to be produced. Eating more vegetarian or vegan foods is not only better for the environment but also healthier for you.
Contributing towards protecting the environment in these small ways can feel like you’re not doing much to help. But remember that every little step counts.
What do you do to help the environment? Let us know in the comments.
Discover more ways to help the environment in Knowledge Vine:
Life Lessons From Planet Earth
Madhavi is passionate about everything to do with books, art, literature, films, trivia and food. A former journalist, she believes that asking questions makes life interesting.
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