World Environment Day: Go Green tips

Chonmipem Horam

Humans have a choice to make the planet earth a better place to inhabit. We can sustain a greener and cleaner space by pitching in some simple ways in our daily life. If we care enough for the living, let`s make a collective efforts, as slight gestures on our part can make a big difference. Let`s learn to live as a part of nature and not as a master of it. Keep our planet green -Construct a greener home. Paint your home in light hues if you are residing in warm climate and dark colours if it`s in a cold climate. -Plant trees to cool your home and cut back the Air Conditioner bill. Maintain a garden in your home. Plant vegetables as nothing tastes better than one’s own home grown. -Use natural light instead of a lamp. Ventilate rooms through windows. -Reduce the use of electricity. Switch off lights and electronic devices when not in use. Dump incandescent bulbs for more energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. -Avoid using plastics and opt for paper bags as they are reusable and biodegradable. -Opt for low-flush toilets to save gallons of water per flush. Try to limit the duration of your showers. Attach low-flow faucet Aerator which cuts water output by 50%. -Keep grass trimmings in the yard as they decay and turn into nutrients for the soil. Save environment -Don`t dispose-off pesticides, fertilizers, oil paints, cleaners and toxic household products down the sewer. -Use ChloroFluoroCarbon free products as CFC razes the ozone layer which shields us from sun’s damaging UV rays. -Use solar energy for running small electrical devices. -Buy recycle items. Utilise reusable containers for storing foods instead of foils or plastic wraps. -Realise the threats to ocean life. Sanitise the shore as oceans supply earth with oxygen, moisture and weather patterns. -Don`t release helium balloons in the air as this can choke sea turtles, whales after ingestion and can disrupt other marine creatures` habitation in the sea. Eco alternatives -Substitute paper cups, plates and napkins with ceramic, washable and re-useable items. -Re-use envelopes, gifts wraps and other items whenever feasible. Make and give green gifts from recycled products. -Switch your dependability on newspapers to online news. -Go for organic cleaning products like vinegar, borax, baking soda etc. -Cut down on junk mails and help shrink the clutter in your mailbox. -Opt for matches instead of lighters as they are predominantly made out of plastic and packed with butane fuel. -Go for e-ticket and cut the cost of money by going paperless. Pay bills online. -Go for rechargeable batteries. -Pick technologies that use least electricity, fuel and solvents. -Use a laptop instead of desktop computer as it consumes 80% lesser energy. Control pollution -Educate and create awareness among people about the health hazards responsible for many diseases. -Mull over buying a fuel-efficient or hybrid car. Accept public modes of transport like metro trains and buses or carpool to save avoidable petrol consumption and gas secretions in the air. -Prohibit smoking inside the home or office. -Regularly get rid of the dust particles from the room for clean indoor air. -Stay away from using fire-crackers. -Burn only seasoned wood as it burns cleaner than green wood. Compost dried leaves and kitchen waste instead of burning it. -Use solar cooker to cook meals. -Choose non phosphate or low phosphate detergents as high phosphate levels in lakes and streams can kill fish and other wildlife.