I’ve been thinking for a while how effective are people’s efforts on trying to lower their impact over the planet they’re living on. In my opinion, on a large scale people’s effort to lower their impact on the planet is not very high.
Here’s the list of things I do on a regular basis and if you can apply this to yourself, or have any thoughts or things to add, your input is highly appreciated:
- drive your car only when really needed, going to work by foot or bus can be refreshing
- recycle your waste in three types: organic waste, glass bottles/jars, and recyclable products like plastic and paper (more info here).
- avoiding elevator rides as much as possible (it’s breathtaking initially, but you’ll be alright in few weeks)
- get a bike, and use it!
- drinking tap water marked as safe for drinking (say “bye” to plastic recipients)
- quit smoking
- turn off lights when they’re not needed
- turning off computer when not needing it, including turning off the screen completely (more than a stand by mode, when you press the off button).
- not using my phone much, requires less charging time, less time using the GSM network
- printing documents, emails, etc only when necessary
- thinking to plant some trees in the near future
- using roll-on deodorants instead of spray based ones which leak harmful gases in the atmosphere
- use eco-friendly washing machine detergent (Ariel biological powder – while the name is pretty funny, it helps)
Now, just by applying all at the things in the list above, I manage to maintain the same level of comfort a normal person needs and also keeps me in good health and with more money to spend on other things.
Companies also need to know how to apply rules for saving energy like helping their employees getting cheaper bicycles (there’s a campaign here in Ireland now by the way), adding energy saving and generation devices, trying to reduce the amount of harmful materials they release into the nature, and so on.
I strongly believe that we should think about what we can do to keep the world green, everyday, not just during the 24 hours of the “Earth’s Day” celebration.
