The four-walled structure with a roof on top is what you consider a house. But aside from that, your ‘home’ resides in a bigger, more complex habitat known as the planet Earth.
In this article, we will tackle ways to conserve natural resources so that our Earth home will be habitable not only today, but also for our future generations.
What are natural resources?
Natural resources are classified into two: renewable and non-renewable. Renewable sources are resources that replenishes like solar and wind energy, biomass energy, and hydroelectric power.
Water, fossil fuels, natural gases, minerals, and nuclear energy constitute the non-renewable resources group. They cannot replenish and will deplete if not utilized wisely.
Why is conserving natural resources important?
Humankind primarily relies on natural resources for survival– from the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and up to the materials we use to build our homes and shelter. And it is worth noting that these natural resources are not all renewable and can deplete if not utilized wisely. Through the conservation of our natural resources, we give not only ourselves, but future generations as well, the most wonderful gift, and that is life.
How can we conserve resources at home?
Use less water
Water is one of the most important resources for mankind. Even though 70% of the globe is comprised of large bodies of water, rivers, and streams, this doesn’t mean that we will have an unlimited supply of clean drinking water for a lifetime. Since water is a non-renewable resource, we should do our part in conserving it.
There are simple and practical ways you can adapt into your everyday living to help conserve water. These include taking shorter showers (or you can just skip the shower part and use a bucket of water and dipper instead), turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, ensuring taps are tightly closed when not in use, and repairing pipes immediately when a leak is detected. You can also use the water from your sink and shower in your garden or backyard. A huge reminder– never release harmful and hazardous waste to any bodies of water!
Turn off the lights
Turning off the lights when not in use or after you leave a room? Basic. Finished watching your favorite noontime show? It’s not enough to just press the off button on the remote. While indeed your television is already shut off, it can still consume small amounts of electricity. This is called vampire electricity and covers about 20 percent of your electricity bill. So, for a more efficient energy consumption, plug off not just your TV, but any appliance in your household when not in use!
Additionally, you can conserve energy by using energy-saving fluorescent bulbs for they require lesser wattage than regular bulbs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, these LED bulbs last longer so not only that they are environment-friendly but pocket-friendly as well!
Plant trees
Plants and trees serve as natural habitats for various animal species. Vegetation is also vital to sustaining a symbiotic environment and wildlife. Their roots hold the land together to prevent soil erosion. On top of that, they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen for us to breathe. We all know the importance of trees and plants to humankind, so whether you have a green thumb or not, planting trees will contribute greatly to the conservation of our planet!
Use renewable energy
Solar and wind energy are alternative sources of energy that effectively cuts down our need to use natural gas derived from burning fossil fuels and charcoal. These alternative sources of energy are bio-friendly, particularly because they do not emit carbon footprint that damages our ozone layer. What’s more is that they are cheaper and renewable!
Treat industrial and human waste
The industrialization has brought wonders to our life but at the same time, it entails danger to our environment. According to EPA’s Guide for Industrial Waste Management, 7.6 billion tons of solid waste is released into the environment every year in America alone! Think about the magnanimous number of waste the whole world dumps into nature annually!
Treating industrial and human waste before releasing it into the environment will help a lot in preventing water and land pollution all across the globe.
Recycle
As much as possible, purchase items made from recycled materials. The production of new goods requires the use of natural resources whereas recycling promotes the usage of materials that we already have. There are lots of DIY videos online to help you transform used plastic bottles into elegant vases or planters, tin cans into alternative storage, and old clothes into cute string bags! Not only that you unleashed and expressed your own creativity, but you also helped our planet breathe!
As the campaign goes ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle.’
Cut packaging and food waste
Every year, the Philippines alone generates a total of 21 million metric tons of garbage and 1,717 metric tons of food waste annually. Before the food gets on our table, it consumes an ample amount of natural resources, starting from the production up to the distribution. Moreover, after food consumption, the leftover plastic bags, containers, and cardboard boxes eventually find their way to landfills where they emit greenhouse gas as they break down at the slowest pace.
Ever wonder how you can reduce packaging and food waste? Well, here are some helpful tips. Before going out for grocery shopping, plan your meals early on (don’t forget to bring that grocery list with you!) so you won’t be tempted to buy food that you cannot consume.
Don’t be shy to take home leftovers when dining out and restaurants and consider growing a veggie garden in your backyard, balcony, or patio!
Rain harvesting
Taking a bath in the rain surely is fun, but have you ever heard of rain harvesting? It is an important practice of water conservation done by collecting and storing water during the wet months to be used when the dry season arrives.
Rainwater can be used for irrigation and watering plants at home and thus reducing the usage of water from water bodies and sources.
Use biogas
The majority of households use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for their everyday cooking needs. However, the continued use of LPG depletes our oil reserves. Using alternatives such as biogas cuts down the need to use such reserves. Biogas is generated from the breakdown of organic matter and can be used in a variety of ways such as vehicle fuel, heating, and electricity generation.
Use e-mails
The continued use and demand for paper cuts down a large portion of our natural forests every year. Using e-mails, for receiving statements of accounts or receipts, for instance, reduces the need to print on paper. A simple change in your mail settings will do the trick! But remember, do not let emails pile up in your inbox as they also contribute to carbon emissions. Delete spam and unwanted emails for a decluttered inbox and a lesser carbon footprint!
You can also cancel subscriptions to magazines and newsletters that you no longer need.
Conserve natural resources for our future generations
We aren’t going to be the only inhabitants of our natural environment, there are also the wild animals and plants sharing this one big home with us. Also, don’t forget the next and future generations waiting in line to enjoy the wonders of our Mother Earth that’s why we need to do our part in natural resource conservation. By adapting these environment-friendly habits and practices, you sure are contributing a lot to creating a better, safer, and healthier world for all of Earth’s inhabitants.
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