Change begins at home!

‘Change begins at home!’

We can all endlessly complain and protest about the government’s policies towards the climate, we can move the courts against industries to prevent them from destroying the planet, we can go on door to door campaigns to educate people  - but if we ourselves aren’t green enough we would simply become pastors who only preach but not follow!

The green movement today needs pastors who lead by example. And what better way than to begin your green campaign your house! ‘Friends of the Earth’, I hereby present a few simple tips make our lives cleaner and greener

• Save Energy - reduce pollution:

1. Turn off the lights when leaving the room
2. Reduce air-conditioning requirement by planting a few trees around your house.
3. Do not idle your car engines for more than 10 seconds.
4. Turn off all electrical appliances and do not leave them in stand-by modes.
5. Wash your laundry in cold water
6. Carpool
7. Use the public transport system.
8. Plan your activities smartly while running errands to avoid making frequent trips to the same place on your car.
   

• Save water – save energy:

1. Turn off dripping taps.
2. Take shorter showers or simply use a bucket and a mug.
3. Do not use the entire capacity of the flush tank when not needed.
4. Plant low water consuming plants and trees in your garden.
5. Avoid washing your car every day.
6. Plan your laundry day smartly to avoid wasting water.
   

• Avoid plastics, E-waste:

1. Always carry your own bag while going to the supermarket.
2. Reduce dependence on bottled water - as the bottles are not bio degradable.
3. Segregate garbage between bio degradable and non-biodegradable.
4. Be careful while disposing electronic waste – ensure that it gets into the right channels for disposal.
5. Buy recycled products and promote them.
   

• General tips:

1. Always print on two sides of the paper.
2. Avoid printing if not necessary.
3. Pay bills and shop online – saves energy and paper.
4. Plant trees in your backyards – provides cleaner localized environment and reduces air-conditioning requirement
5. Walk short distances – saves energy and promotes good health

I am sure we cannot follow all of these, but we could always try and consciously do so. If you have any more tips you would love to share, please feel free to share them through your comments.

Emma Dcruz

The writer is an ardent supporter of the green movement and an active member of this blog.