YEAR 1 | ISSUE 2 | APRIL, 2012
18
We all live in the environment but do we know what environment means to us? Do we actually know the real meaning of environment…….. The natural environment comprises of all living and non -living things that occur naturally on the earth. There is an urgent need to conserve our environment which is depleting at a rapid rate. The key word today is RECYCLING. We should follow the recycling mantra-the 3 R’s-REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE. The success of creation of public awareness and involvement in environmental conservation efforts will depend upon how best we can relate the environment to matters of personal concern of the individual. By the year 2025 use of paper as well as recycling and reusing of paper without waste will go a long way in preventing immense forests being out. Save all your waste paper and sell it to your kabadi wallah. Did you know that every 1,000 kgs of recycled paper spares the lives of 17 trees? Use both sides on a sheet of paper. If you ruin a sheet of paper because you wrote or printed something incorrect on it, don't throw it away. Save it and use the other side for taking messages, making notes and lists etc Wildlife conservation is another important area of environmental conservation. Refrain from hunting animals and birds for your pleasure or past time. Do not buy articles made of the skins of endangered animals such as fur, coats, bags, purses and shoes made of skin of such animals. Plastics do us a lot of harm. Most plastic materials are nonbiodegradable and add to the garbage problem. So by 2015 we will see everyone carrying their own cloth bag or jute bag while shopping. We should reduce noise at home and workplaces and hence prevent noise pollution. Do not play Radio and TV at loud pitch. Don’t honk unnecessarily while driving. Excessive noise can cause hearing impairment and irritation. Last but not the least, keep your eyes open: Report any environment violation you see to the appropriate authorities and also use your influence to prevent environmental damage. Form environment clubs in your schools, colleges or neighborhood. Join the Kitchen Garden Associations and learn how to plant trees and about the types of trees. Also ask yourself can I recycle this? Look at any thing that you are about to discard and ask yourself how it can be recycled.
Here are some tips on how to slow mankind’s adverse impact on the earth. 1. Heater and air conditioner: Use thermostat to regulate temperatures. Seal windows and doors. 2. Light bulbs: Fluorescent light bulbs last longer, use less energy, and produce more light. 3. Refrigerator: Turn the thermostat up one degree to make it more energy – efficient. 4. Washing machines: Hand wash clothes/ dishes to reduce loads. Wash clothes in warm water. Avoid dryers. 5. Green is clean: Promote renewable energy resources like solar and wind power. 6. Buy recycled: It takes less energy to manufacture a recycled product than a brand new one. 7. Go organic: Chemical pesticides keep carbon contained in soil, releasing carbon into the atmosphere and making the soil unfertile. 8. Cars: Drive less. Improve your car’s fuel efficiency. Use public transport. 9. Turn off lights, fans and all other electricity switches when not in use or when you leave a room. 10. Use public transportation. Use your bicycle, or walk. The extra exercise will do you good. 11. Fix leaking taps. Even a slowly dripping tap can waste between 55 to 140 liters a day. That's like pouring 10 buckets of perfectly good buckets of water down the drain. Don't leave the tap on unnecessary. When you are brushing your teeth turn the tap on only when you need the water. Do not keep the water flowing throughout. 12. Use reusable bags for shopping. It isn't too much extra work to carry a shopping bag with you from home to the market; you just need to form the habit. 13. Make and distribute cloth and paper shopping bags for your near and dear ones. 14. Join or start eco- clubs in your societies and college. On the occasion of World Earth Day on 22nd April, we invite everyone to come and join the launching of Galgotias Green Club!! By: Vinnie Mathur, H.O.D. ( Student Affairs & Student Clubs)
All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. - Pablo Picasso