Man and nature: changing the lifestyle

Environmental protection is nationwide concern. To my mind only with appropriate state policy and everybody’s concern about environmental protection practical results can be achieved.

The main risks of land pollution lie in the indiscriminate dumping of materials on land, careless disposal of pesticides and chemicals, fall-out of materials from the atmosphere and the deposition of materials from flood-water. The use of sewage sludge on farms, too, involves risks as well as benefits to the land. Transport is one of the main offenders in noise pollution, and control measures should be aimed at reducing noise at source, through requirements limiting the noise that aircraft and motor vehicles may make, and by protecting people from its effects.

The state policy in environmental protection includes the development of technology to control atmos­pheric and water pollution, agricultural pollution control, the study of man's influence on the climate, the forecasting of earthquakes and tsunamis, the biological and genetic consequences of pollution, protection of rare and vanishing plants and animals as well as a whole lot more. Discharges of polluting matter into rivers, lakes, estuaries and some coastal waters are already controlled by law. Control of marine pollution from ships is largely, on international conventions drawn up under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization. Considerable progress has been made towards the achievement of cleaner air and a better environment.

The Government should encourage the reclamation and recycling of waste materials wherever this is practicable and economic in order to help to conserve natural resources.

People in developed lands throw away mountains of trash. Some years ago, it was estimated that the residents of New York City alone produced enough garbage each year to bury the city’s huge Central Park under 13 feet [4 m] of refuse! But the US is not alone. It is estimated that the garbage annually produced by the people of Germany could easily fill a freight train extending from the capital, Berlin, to the coast of Africa, some 1,100 miles [1,800 km] away. And in Britain it was once estimated that the average family of four discards six trees’ worth of paper in a year. Developing lands are not immune to the garbage glut. The really bad news is that most of the planet’s 6 billion people are just beginning to follow in the trash-filled footsteps of the U.S. and the rest of the developed world. Yes, like it or not, most of us today are part of a throwaway society.

Of course, people have always had things to throw away. But canned and packaged foods and goods are more widely available now than they were years ago, so disposable packaging is everywhere. The quantity of newspapers, magazines, advertising leaflets, and other printed material has soared as well.

Another factor is the world population, which has skyrocketed during the past century. More people, more garbage! And much of the population is oriented toward consumerism. The Worldwatch Institute recently concluded: “We have used more goods and services since 1950 than in all the rest of human history.”

Affordable green living isn't as difficult as most people might think. While it does require you to change some habits and mindsets, it can be done. Basic small steps add up to big changes. There are several areas where you can make changes to establish a green base.

Conserve Water: Water conservation benefits the environment as well as the budget. By replacing leaky faucets, using water saving shower heads and toilets, turning off the water when you brush your teeth and taking showers rather than baths, you can make a huge difference in the amount of water your family uses.

Save Electricity and Gas: By using less power, you reduce the demand for fossil fuels like coal, natural gas and oil. You also save money on your electric bill.

There are other things you can do to cut down on your carbon footprint and adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle. These include:

· Recycle everything that is recyclable.

· Buy items in bulk rather than individual packaging.

· Use canvas shopping bags.

· Eat more salads and other cold foods in the summer to keep from heating up your kitchen.

· Laptop computers use about three quarters less power than a desktop computer.

· Use public transportation when available.

· If you have older appliances, upgrade to the new energy saving models as you can afford it. You will save money as well as energy.

· Keep the tires on your car inflated to the correct pressure to get the longest wear on your tires and to save gasoline.

Not everyone can afford to switch to solar power or buy a new hybrid vehicle. Affordable green living is a matter of implementing new habits into your old lifestyle. While many of these steps may seem too simple to make an impact, when they are used by a large number of people these changes can make a big difference.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14