All over the world, about 7.4 billion people use consumer products to help them with the tasks of daily life. The unfortunate fact is that the manufacture and waste of many of these products causes some considerable, systematic damage to the natural environment. Not only do the smoke and fumes emitted by factories build up in our atmosphere, and trap more heat from the sun’s rays; improper disposal of waste poisons the environment, disrupting natural ecosystems. This cycle of pollution is making its way to a terrible end result: a planet Earth that is sapped of its beauty, vitality, and diversity. Because of this, stopping pollution grows more important with each passing day, and so your environmental wellness is now more important than ever before. But how can you, as just one person, do your part to put a stop to pollution?
1. Learn as Much as You Can: While you may have your moral reasons for stopping pollution, many people never do anything about it because they don’t know where to begin. Knowledge is power, my friend, so go to your library, surf the web for solutions, and, if you can, talk to people that know more about it than you do. These will all help you have a better understanding about pollution.
2. Think Small: There are countless things you can do to stop pollution. Even if each thing seems insignificant on its own, they all add up if you, and others, do them. Here are just a few things to get you started:
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
- Lower the thermometer in the winter and raise it in the summer, even you only do it by a few degrees.
- Plant a tree.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Do not leave Appliances on standby mode. Disconnect them at the port/socket.
- Take your own travel mug when you get coffee at a coffee shop.
- Pick up rubbish even if it’s not yours.
3. Speak Out: Nobody is going to do it for you, so tell people about what you know. As we’ve already discussed, people may care about the planet, but are just at a loss as to what to do about it. You can show people the way by talking to your friends and family, writing an article for your school or local newspaper and putting up signs around your neighbourhood – on recycled paper, of course. Do whatever you can to get the word out there. If you meet a few like-minded people along the way, you could start a group that meets once a week. You could discuss issues and what you can do to help.
4. Stop Disposing of Everything: Stop using paper towels and other disposable items! Dish towels are a much more environmentally-friendly way of drying up dishes, and using reusable grocery bags is better than getting new ones every time you go grocery shopping.
5. Walk More: You should try to only use your car when you need to, and then walk or ride a bicycle when you can. If it is available where you live, take public transportation such as a train or a bus. Not only is this better for the planet, the exercise is also beneficial to your health and wellbeing. If you really need to drive, and live near someone else going the same way, why not car pool? If your neighbour is heading the same way as you are pick him up. The next trip, reverse the process. That way, you are saving fuel and money as well as decreasing pollution.