We often hear every about the distressed state of our environment. We want to do something about it since we really care about our environment but most times, we make the mistake of focusing on the big gestures alone.
The good news is that you don’t need to wait until you can take on the big steps to start. In fact, you can make your mark on the environment without having to spend much money or be inconvenienced a lot.
“The earth is what we all have in common.”
—Wendell Berry
Here are four simple steps you can take to make a big impact on the environment.
Plant a Garden
There are several benefits associated with planting a garden but one of the biggest reasons would be the fact that gardening is good for the environment.
According to the natural process of photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and release valuable oxygen molecules. So by planting a garden, you can help reduce the amount of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere.
You may wonder how much of a difference you could make with one garden, but gardening is a collective effort. Lots of small gardens in a community can make so much difference and you should be a part of it.
Recycle Used Electronics
Electronic devices such as laptops, keyboards, printers, phones, tablets, etc. contain minerals that are toxic to the environment. When these items are thrown away, they end up in landfills, and the toxic materials in them harm the environment.
The next time you want to get rid of an old phone or laptop, do not throw it away. You can help the environment by recycling electronics which means keeping them out of landfills and breaking them down into parts that can be recycled or properly disposed of.
Say No to Plastic
In addition to the fact that it is hardly biodegradable, the earth and its population are stuck with a lot of plastic already. We all will benefit if we can simply reduce the amount of additional plastic we leave behind.
Plastic waste is not only harmful to our environment, but its production also harms us through the emission of pollutants that degrade the quality of the air we take in.
You can help by taking reusable bags with you to the grocery store. Also, try to reduce the number of plastic bottles you buy to a minimum, and mind everything else you purchase that comes in a plastic container.
Drive a Little Less
Is your home close to a well-served public station? Can you possibly walk or cycle from your office? Do you drive the closest distance when you could just walk a few minutes?
If you often drive to places you could easily get to with public transit, bicycle, or on foot, you might want to consider putting a brake on your driving habits. While you are doing something good for the environment, you’ll probably get to exercise also while walking or cycling.
In conclusion, making an impact on the environment is a lofty goal; however, you might feel like you can’t make much impact as one person. It is actually true that you can’t make the kind of changes large companies are capable of making to help the environment, but your little impact, plus the next person’s efforts, can go a long way in pushing us closer to having the environment we desire.
