The impacts of climate change are being felt around the world. It is a grave situation. There is a pressing need for each one of us to acknowledge the urgency and take measures to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of our ecosystems. The urgent need to halt and reverse biodiversity loss is being felt for sure by many. But just thoughts and words will not suffice without us being in action. Are we doing our bit? Are we leaving behind a healthy planet where mankind can survive, grow and thrive?
Protecting and conserving our planet Earth, our home is important to the well-being of the people, prosperity and peace. We need to understand that we are not outside the web. We all are part of the web and when the web gets disturbed, we all will be shaken.
Hence raising awareness and stopping harm to our environment is so very crucial. Girls and boys, it is your world ahead. You need to wake up and spread your voice on environmental issues. You need to be mindful of your habits and actions.
The consequences of people’s careless use of our world are becoming more visible and alarming. If we wish to see the world change, we need to begin with ourselves.
Fortunately, more people are becoming conscious and are adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle to help and save our environment.
We may wonder what difference would our small insignificant action make to the colossal problem of the entire big world. Well, let us not worry about that small, tiny impact that we may make, let us first and foremost concentrate on doing our part. Making minor changes will go a long way in saving our planet. One small drop of sensitiveness from each one of us will make a huge wave of change. Moreover, it’s always cool to care. Begin to volunteer. One kind step towards GREEN is a big positive impact on the environment.
You might start to impact the habits of your peers too through various projects or campaigns on your school campus.
- Form an environmentally conscious students club –Working together as a community who share the same green beliefs can make you more energetic and enthusiastic to take bolder steps. Gaining experience in teamwork and leadership is another learning experience.
- Hold plantation days and ensure the saplings planted grow to be full-fledged plants.
- Recycling the books, and uniforms. Resell or donate them instead of tossing them away. Increase recycling within your capacity at school or home.
- Reuse-Do not shy away from reusing things, do not be concerned about what others say or do. Eliminate single-use of plastics. Concentrate on doing your bit.
- Generate less waste- Buying things only when needed leads to reduce waste processing which further leads to less waste around us.
- Stop Littering. Negligence in this will lead to water and drainage system getting clogged, animals consuming the harmful garbage and the earth getting choked with hazardous components.
- Reduce power usage. Turn off the lights, fans, and ACs at home and in school consistently. Ensure turning off the switches at the wall when you are through with your appliances.
- Sustainable transportation – Start cycling or reduce the random use of personal vehicles. Being thoughtful in the use of sustainable transportation reduces the air pollution from transportation.
- Using environment friendly stationeries – folders, refillable pens, water bottles instead of disposable glasses and disposable bottles, carrying a cloth bag or reusable bags to the market etc.
- Save water– There are plenty of ways to save water. Turning off the taps when not in use, filling the bottles and glasses only as much as needed, basically using water mindfully every time you turn on your tap.
- Spread the word- Spreading the awareness through our actions and encouraging more people to get involved will go a long way.
The list may go endless if we look around sensitively, thoughtfully and mindfully!
Taking these few simple eco-friendly actions – our planet will be thankful. Dear children, you reading this article and having the will and desire to learn more about introducing and implementing boldly the eco-friendly changes are already steps ahead on the right path towards saving our environment. Be at it!
Dr G. S. Matharoo
Chairman
Prudence Group of Schools