World Environment Day: Small Acts To Reduce Carbon Footprint

Almost every day you can hear someone talking about rising temperatures or how hot warm it’s getting, which is an indicator of the profound influence of environment on our day to day lives. While ecological issues are rarely discussed by common people, environment plays an essential role in our lives in the form of climate change, weather conditions and aesthetic pleasure sought by greenery. On June 5, every year the world celebrates its environment, a day that reminds us to take a break from our existence in this concrete jungle and appreciate the nature around us.

Recent studies show that in less than 12 years, if proper action to correct environment damage doesn’t take place, we will reach a stage of irreversible damage from where there is no walking back. To mark this day and the importance of environment preservation SheThePeople.TV asked its readers the steps they take to reduce their carbon footprint. Here are some of the responses we received.

Plant a tree

Ayesha Ranjana Malik, ambassador of #GirlRisingIndia rightly questions, “A lot can be done. But are we doing the slightest we can do like recycling and reducing green waste to biodegradable paste.”

While Snigdha Gupta a college student says, “I have been trying to actively eliminate plastic from my lifestyle. One should remember the three mantras-Reduce, reuse and recycle. It is important to be mindful of the waste you are generating. One should minimise generation of non-biodegradable waste as much as possible.”

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Save energy

“I ensure lights and fans are switched off when not in use. Walking is always a more eco-friendly option than driving. One should prefer locally produced food. I also avoid using printer at all costs (it’s high time we go paperless) and last but not the least planting and gardening is a must.” Esha Chadhuri, speaker on gender issues, shared her tips.

Cloth bag for groceries

Madhuri Bannerjee, an author and TOI Write India mentor says, “I carry cloth bags in my purse at all times for shopping groceries, etc. Recycling is equally important and I recycle newspaper and bottles constantly. I remember to separate wet and dry trash. I use LED lights and when it comes to water, I use water spray and have bucket baths to save watch. And lastly planting trees is a must.”

While Thara Ramesh says, “It is important to switch off the appliances when not in use. I use public transit as much as possible. I always turn off the water taps. Using buckets to store water also helps. I always carry a cloth bag to buy groceries and vegetables.”

Avoid plastics

Kanchana, author, says, “The RO water purifier emits a lot of water as waste water. I collect that in a large drum and use that for watering plants and mopping the floor. For every one bottle of water, RO throws out four bottles. It’s criminal to waste water.”

Yamini P. Bhalerao, an author tells us, “I buy bigger bottles of shampoo, body wash etc., which last me for months or so. It produces lesser plastic litter as compared to if I bought smaller ones each month. I carry cloth bags for shopping. I sort my garbage into dry and wet, because proper disposal is equally important.”

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“I am thinking of completely converting wet waste into compost. I never use plastic bags, always carry a reusable bag for shopping and never accept plastic or store bags. I stopped using plastic bin liners for garbage bins. For me steel water bottles are a must.” said Bhanu, an architect.

While Shaili Chopra, founder of SheThePeopletv says, “I save all the RO water to use for my plants.”

Womenite a Non- Profit Organisation says, “Eliminating plastic, car-pooling and saving electricity are some day to day steps we take to reduce our cost to the environment.”

Monica suggests, “I take my own tiffin box if I have to get a takeaway from nearby restaurants or roadside carts. I don’t use plastic bags to line the bins; instead I use the packaging that comes with groceries. I reuse the online mood delivery containers in the kitchen.”

Minimise pollution

Esha Choudhary suggests that “one should switch off their engines at traffic signals, as well as ensuring the pollution emission limits of the car is checked in every few months.”

“I usually switch off the lights and fans when not in use. I take bath with buckets and mugs to save water. The water pipeline for my bathroom and kitchen is directed towards my garden.  I throw fruit seeds on grasslands and I always try to keep pots of water for birds and animals. One should always prefer cycling and pool as much as possible.” Dr Pooja Chakraborty says.

Richa S Mukherjee says, “I am trying to convert my kitchen to aluminium, granite, and glass entirely. This one’s tough but I am trying to avoid micro plastic pollution by wearing more cotton.”

Smt Nandini Satpathy Memorial Trust (SNMST), Bhubaneswar, shared, “One small step we have adapted among a few other steps to reduce our carbon footprint is, our offices uses least amount of paper, we are almost paperless.”

While Aparna Upadhyaya Sanyal, a poet shares her tips, “Apart from minimising plastic use and reusing as much as possible, we’ve switched to free range eggs and poultry. Mulching kitchen waste helps.”

Finally, Baisali C D, a writer says, “I save all the single-sided paper that comes into our house to use for print. I try as much as possible to reuse plastic bags, bottles and boxes that come into the house. Old t-shirts become dust rags and poccha kapda.”

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Snigdha Gupta is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv