If we want our children and grandchildren and our great grandchildren to still be able to enjoy nature and breathe comfortably, we need to start acting NOW. Some people have been embracing the greener lifestyle by integrating green technology at their home. Others reduce their carbon footprint by choosing to walk or commute instead of bringing their vehicles to work every day. The use of solar energy is now more feasible thanks toprice of solar panels. In the Philippines, many cities now are adapting different green practices to achieve a sustainable lifestyle.
As a citizen of the world, how can you live sustainably? Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
Create an Efficient Waste Management System
According to the studies conducted by the National Solid Waste Management Commission, a single person in the Metro Manila can produce for about 0.5 kilogram of waste daily. This would generate 4,762,720 kilogram of trash daily if it is multiplied with 10.5 million people living in the metro. Because of this, solid waste is becoming one of the worst problems not only in the Metro Manila but in the surrounding areas as well..
Creating an efficient waste management system would be the best way to prevent this growing problem from getting any worse. Start by sorting your trash into organic waste, biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and residual trash. Homeowners like you are also encouraged to practice the 3 R’s at your home. These 3 R’s are reduce, reuse, and recycle. This significantly reduces the amount of trash thrown in the landfill. Simple habits such as reducing your consumption of certain goods, reusing shopping bags, recycling bottles and jars, and repurposing old containers are quick steps to start living a sustainable life.
Consume Organic Food
Opting for organic food is not only beneficial for your health but for the environment as well. The production of organic food keeps both animals and plants healthy since there are no toxic chemicals involved in producing such kind of food. Moreover, this also helps the environment as no pollution and topsoil erosion occur when producing organic food. If the thought of giving up certain foods already makes you want to skip this part, don’t fret. You can simply substitute at least some of your meals daily instead of going cold turkey.
Opt for Alternative Energy
Our country has various sources of clean alternative energy. These alternative energies may come in the form of geothermal, hydrogen, solar, and wind energy. Using alternative energy helps reduce the cause of climate change and people’s dependence on the fossil fuels, which contribute to acid rain and formation of various harmful matters.
If you choose to use the traditional source of energy, you can still make a difference by utilizing appliances that consume less energy. Examples are dryers and washing machines that can run on LPG and inverter-type of air conditioners. Switching to LED and CFC bulb light also help reduce your energy consumption.
Create a Water Management Plan
Just like in solid waste management, water management should also be practiced at every person’s house. Things you can implement on your household are:
- Taking shorter showers.
- When brushing your teeth, use a glass of water instead of letting the water run from the faucet.
- Have a regular check-up of all the faucets and toilets at your home. Leaky faucets and toilets can waste up to 182 liters of water every day.
- If possible, install a grey water system. It is a tank that collects rainwater and used water from drains.
Going green is quite challenging, however, it does not have to be difficult. With careful and organized planning, going green can be just any normal routine.