Earth Ambassador: Lead the Scene, Let’s Keep it Clean and Green!

        Man had been created by God to become stewards of the planet Earth. But unfortunately, over the years, man had not been good stewards. Man had been the agents in causing harm and destruction to it. As a result of man’s wrong-doings, the Earth gives back to man catastrophes that kill lives, damaged properties, and the like.

        What should we do? We must act the soonest! We need to protect and care for our environment for us and the future generations. We need to take proactive steps towards achieving an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

        “Charity begins at home.” True to this saying, protecting and caring for our environment starts at home. Most of the damage to our environment stems are from our consumption, what, how much, and how often we consume. Let us be mindful of our consumption habits and how these affects our environment. Man’s most essential need is food. Budgeting for our daily meal is important to reduce food wastage and garbage piles at home. Food scraps, and vegetable and fruit peelings could all go down to the compost pit. Composting these kinds of trash is rewarding because it produces rich soil for our garden use. Growing our own food by using this soil can also help protect our environment. We don’t need to use chemicals to make them grow healthily. Be mindful that chemicals have harmful effects on the food we eat, the air that we breathe, and to the environment that we live in.

        Consume less, self-discipline at its best. Purchase only what is essential, this way you can save money and reduce the clutter in your home. Choose reusable items over single-use items. Single-use items like disposable containers and utensils have a devastating effect to our environment, switch to reusable items and commit to use them as often as possible. Upcycle more, recycle properly and turn our trash into treasure. Creating something new out of our used items such as artworks could also lessen our trash at home.

       Conserving water at home is also one of the easiest ways to protect the environment. Conserving water saves energy. Energy is needed to filter, heat, and pump water to our homes, so reducing our water use also reduces our carbon footprint. Using less water keeps more in our ecosystem and helps keep wetland habitats topped up for animals.

        Conserve electricity. Saving energy reduces air and water pollution and conserves natural resources, which in turn creates a healthier living environment for humans. Using energy-efficient appliances helps in preventing greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are the leading cause of global warming and climate change. Anytime you can use less electricity, it’s a win for our planet.

        A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Any amount that we can cut back on will help. For short trips, why not walk or bike? You will also get a healthy dose of exercise in doing so. If traveling on foot or two wheels isn’t feasible, try carpooling with a friend, neighbour, or co-worker to a mutual destination. By doing so, you can save money and at the same time lessen the carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere. 

        We co-exist with nature, and because of that, we all have crucial roles to fulfill and take part in. It is not difficult to become more environmentally friendly, just think of how cleaner and greener our planet could be if we allow ourselves to do our part and be responsible stewards of this planet. Mother Nature has embraced us in her arms and taken care of us, it is time we do the same and take care of her in our stead. It is our role to make this world a better place, so let us join hands in protecting and caring for our environment!

Online Sources:

Anonymous, Rise People, Retrieved on November 9, 2021

https://risepeople.com/blog/environmentally-conscious-workplace/

Anonymous, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Retrieved on November 9, 2021

https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle/

Anonymous, Green Mountain Energy, Retrieved on November 9, 2021

https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/why-renewable-energy/protect-the-environment/

Jose Rivas, GreenMeLocally, Retrieved on November 9, 2021

https://www.greenmelocally.com/events/clean-world-weekend/

Anonymous, MintLife, Retrieved on November 9, 2021

https://mint.intuit.com/blog/food-budgets/how-to-budget-groceries/

Tia Dereta, Pinterest, Retrieved on November 9, 2021

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/1140747780585182374/