Content

• Steps
• Advice

The reality is that if we want to live on a planet with clean water, fresh air, diverse flora and fauna, we have to do everything we can to protect Earth's life. Being environmentally friendly means living in a way that protects the earth rather than harming it, and to speak up when the world around it is damaged. Conserving water, reducing driving, gardening, and caring for animals are all positive actions to benefit the earth. See Step 1 to learn how to take care of the environment in your daily life.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Protect water sources

1. 

   Reserving water for domestic use. It takes a lot of energy to turn river water, groundwater, or any other local source of water into domestic water. Water must be pumped into a treatment plant, where it is filtered and chemically treated for cleaning, then pumped to the neighborhood where you live, and you can use it at home. Save as much water as possible because it helps to reduce the pressure from using water to put pressure on the earth. Here are some ways to help save water:
   • Apply water-saving dishwashing methods. Instead of running continuously running water during dishwashing, fill the sink with warm water and soap, then turn off the water tap and scrub the dishes. Wash dishes in the second sink filled with clean water, then dry and store them on a shelf.
   • Attach a low-pressure showerhead and take a quick shower. Long baths and showers use more water.
   • Use water-saving appliances including dishwashers and washing machines.
   • Fix leaks in pipes so water doesn't leak out.
   • Don't let the water run while you brush your teeth.
   • Do not water the lawn. Let rainwater do this instead of pumping clean water into your front lawn. If your area allows watering, store rainwater in a large bin for use. If you want a green lawn, plant native or low-water plants like moss.

2. 

   
   
   Limit use of chemicals. Chemicals that wash down ditches or be applied directly to grass can get into the water supply system, causing problems for wildlife and humans. Identify chemicals that can be replaced with other substances so that you can avoid the poison from drifting down the drain.
   • Use an alternative cleaning solution. Try using white vinegar and baking soda to clean your kitchen and bathroom.
   • Consider body care products. Replace with natural shampoos, conditioners and soaps. This change will benefit your body.
   • Try natural pesticides and herbicides. Instead of spraying with weeds, plant native plants that are naturally resistant to the weeds.

3. 

   
   
   Never dump hazardous waste into the sewer or lawn. Do not pour paint, engine oil, ammonia and other strong chemical solutions down the drain or onto the yard, as they will soak into the groundwater. These substances need to be disposed of properly. Check the website of your local food hygiene and safety authority to learn how to handle hazardous waste. You may be instructed how to take them to a hazardous waste dump for proper disposal.

4. 

   
   
   Contribute to local water pollution prevention. Changing your personal habits related to using water and chemicals is the first step. By saving water every day, you are doing your part and being a good example for others to follow. But to really make an impact, take the effort one step further. Here are a few ways to do it:
   • Join the environmental sanitation festival. If your local stream, river, or beach is littered with rubbish or polluted, perhaps a local water conservation group is trying to clean it up. Next time there is a sanitation festival, join now. If you can't find a group to join then organize your own!
   • Speak up against water polluting individuals and organizations. Due to lax government regulations, rivers are often polluted by industrial wastes discharged by corporations. Waste oil and chemicals destroy aquatic life and the surrounding environment, and also contaminate drinking water sources. Check to see if there is a clean water campaign going on in your locality and sign up to help if possible.
   advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Contribute to air cleaning

1. 

   Saving electricity for daily life. It is one of the first ways we are taught to be environmentally friendly, but we also need to keep in mind the importance of turning off lights when leaving the room. All electrical appliances require the use of energy generated at the power plant. Factories often use coal or fossil fuels, which emit hazy emissions in the atmosphere and make it difficult for people to breathe. That is the heavy consequence of forgetting to turn off your computer. Here are the things you can do:
   • Turn the heater low in winter. Instead of heating your home in the middle of the snow outside, it's just enough to make it comfortable. Insulation for the house will effectively isolate the cold outside air.
   • Consider whether you can switch to wind or solar power to generate less emissions.
   • Limit your use of the air conditioner. In the summer, try to see if you can't use the air conditioner on days that aren't too hot. Be economical to use on hot days.
   • Turn off electrical and electronic equipment when not in use. Turn off and unplug when you are not using a computer, television, coffee pot, and other appliances.
   • Use energy saving light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs (old ones) need more energy to light up.

2. 

   Reduced dependence on cars. From making cars to extracting and burning gas to power vehicles, to making oil and other materials used in the construction of driving roads, cars and all. nothing to do with them is the main source of air pollution.Limiting your car use is a great way to become more environmentally friendly.
   • Use public transport. Get familiar with the bus, metro or train schedule in your city, and start using public transportation more often.
   • Find bike lanes in your city. More and more cities and towns have new bike lanes connecting all major metropolitan areas. Save money by not signing up at the gym and exercise for free by using the bike lane.
   • Take some time to walk. If you have time to go for a walk, why not walk instead of driving? Anything that takes 5 or 10 minutes by car is fine for you to walk.
   • Carpool to work or school with others instead of driving yourself.

3. 

   Go shopping in the local area. Your shopping habits are not the first thing you need to talk about when looking for ways to reduce air pollution, but the items we buy have a great impact on the environment. How a product is made, where it is made, how it is packaged all play a role in air pollution.
   • Learn the manufacturing process. Is it made of sustainable materials, or does the manufacture of them use plastics or other chemicals? Product making is also responsible for using (and wasting) a lot of water, so there's more than one reason why this is a very important question to ask.
   • Check the label to see how far the product is shipped. If you have to travel by boat, plane, and truck to get to your store or home, you consume a lot of gas to buy the product. Find out if you can find better alternatives near where you live.

4. 

   Eat lots of vegetables and other locally grown foods. You can really show that you are advocating for the environment by changing some of your food buying habits. Shop locally instead of buying food that has been shipped from afar to support local farms and cut down on carbon emissions.
   • Shop at the farmer's market. During spring, summer and fall, most towns have farmer's markets with a variety of locally grown foods.
   • Try growing your own food. Join the gardening community or create a piece of land on your yard or patio.
   • Practice "Monday without meat". Monday eating no meat is a worldwide popular movement. Followers do not eat animal protein on Mondays. This movement helps to reduce water use as well as minimize greenhouse gas and fuel dependence.

5. 

   Join a group working to prevent air pollution. Once you begin to become more aware of how daily habits affect air quality, you may want to do something about it to improve air pollution. Look for groups that are active in your locality and country to find ways to reduce your carbon footprint and combat global warming. See what issues are being addressed in your area, and encourage others to join. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Protect soil resources and wildlife

1. 

   Reduce waste. Some localities generate so much trash that there is no place to store it. If you want to take good care of your own property and those of others, a good place to start is to reduce your waste.
   • Minimal packaged purchases. Avoid products that wrap in layers of plastic, as it is usually not biodegradable.
   • Recycle and reuse. When you buy containers made of plastic, glass or other reusable material, try to take advantage of some other functions instead of discarding them.
   • Instead of discarding leftovers, process them into compost.
   • You don't have to constantly buy new bottles, make them yourself.
   • Cook at home instead of buying outside in plastic or foam containers.

2. 

   Plant tree. Trees are essential for environmental health. They keep the soil from erosion, clean the air and provide shelter for animals. Trees have a huge impact, even they help reduce stress when we live friendly with the surrounding plants. Help protect trees in the following ways:
   • Plant native plants that are good for the soil and provide shade.
   • Don't cut the tree unless it's absolutely necessary. Protect trees as best as possible.
   • Find out if you can work with a local team to work on forestland protection.

3. 

   Let your yard develop naturally. If your home has space and slopes, consider making your yard a home for plants and animals. Many natural areas have adopted wildlife that needs a habitat. As a bonus, you'll get to live alongside creatures and animals that most people don't see every day. Here's what you can do:
   • Do not use pesticides or herbicides. Let your yard be completely natural.
   • Plant trees that attract bees and butterflies.
   • There is room for food for birds, squirrels and bats.
   • Consider beekeeping.
   • Provide a water source for animals, like bird baths or garden ponds.
   • Make it easier for moles, opossums, raccoons, and other animals to live as pets instead of avoiding them.

4. 

   Respect the life of animals. With so many animals going extinct every day, it's time for us to rethink animals. Realizing that every creature is precious and deserves a place on earth can change the way you interact and talk about animals, and the choices you make in everyday life. If you are interested in animals, try the following:
   • Proven diet choices. Eat seafood from verified sources, and pay attention to the seafood's origin by checking the source. Try to buy all animal products from sources you know and trust.
   • Consider wildlife such as beaches and forests, animal habitats. If you go hiking and see a sign instructing you on the trail, do so.
   • Check out whether the forest or park where you live needs volunteers to help protect the animal's habitat.
   • Help spread awareness about endangered species. Inform others that you care about animals, and give them information about the importance of protecting them.

5. 

   Join a group working to protect land resources. Join an environmental group that protects the land where you live from vandalism such as deforestation, mining, mountain landslides, and oil extraction in rocks. These activities not only affect the soil but also trees, wildlife, air, water, and human life. advertisement

Advice

• Stick sticky notes around your home to remind you to turn off lights when not in use.
• Use plastic bags to line the trash can.
• Turn off and unplug devices when not in use.
• Reuse. Old things always have new uses!
• Try to make eco-friendliness your way of life, not just a one-time job.
• Try to minimize your use of light bulbs during the day. Open the curtains, and take advantage of the sunlight!
• Use cloth bags, jute bags, paper bags, or reuse old plastic bags.