Environmental conservation can begin right at your home

Reports say that 40% of greenhouse gas emissions are from the construction sector. Minimizing construction waste should be a priority and we must realise that transporting materials like Italian marble or granite etc from other states can leave behind a big footprint. The use of locally sourced stones like laterite, bamboo, mud and sun baked bricks is becoming increasingly popular among those who want to build green homes. 

Extreme weather conditions, untimely rains, scorching heat and frequent natural calamities are the by-products of destructive human activities, an inordinate amount of greenhouse gases, deforestation and destabilized ecosystems. Increased use of plastic and non-biodegradable products has been stressing the environment at unprecedented levels. While global conferences and youth-led mass movements address the danger of climate change on a broader scale, we as individuals can also do our bit for the environment right in our homes.

If each of us takes the initiative to make small changes in our lives, cumulatively these 'little healthy changes' will make a huge positive impact on the environment.

So here are a few ways in which we can all do our bit for Mother Earth:

Plant, donate or gift a tree

Gifting a sapling to a loved one on a special day or planting a tree to make an occasion/event memorable are some simple but very effective ways to give back to the Earth. Trees are possibly one of the most thoughtful and eco-friendly gifts as they leave a lasting and loving impression on the Earth. As per statistics provided by Global Forest Watch, in 2021, India lost 24.8 kilohectare (kha) of forest cover, which is equivalent to 64.6 Mt of carbon dioxide emissions being added to the environment.

If you are wondering how you can begin an afforestation process you can checkout the websites of certain social organisations like Grow-Trees.com which not only undertake huge plantation projects on public land with the help of corporate and local communities but also enable individuals to gift and plant trees with just one click.

Greetings are sent through an eTreeCertificate or eTree Card to one or many people. Be it any occasion – birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or festivals, Grow-Trees.com helps you to mark an important day with an eco-sensitive gesture. Each tree you plant will purify the air and help to increase the country's green cover.

Ditch single-use plastics

Single-use plastics like disposable cups and take away containers are a part of our everyday life but the harm they can cause to the environment is beyond our comprehension. Scientists predict that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in water bodies, especially in oceans. Straws, chocolate wrappers, plastic cups, bottles and bags create around 300 million tons of plastic waste each year and leave a huge carbon footprint on the planet. These are also consumed by animals and also eventually contaminate groundwater and the food chain. As responsible citizens, we can all carry our own bags for shopping and switch to metal and bamboo straws and metal bottles and mugs. We can also stop buying over packaged produce from supermarkets and instead buy fresh vegetables and fruits from local farmers.

Build an eco-sensitive home

As architects like Didi Contractor, Chitra Vishwanath, Laurie Baker and Charles Correa have proven, sustainable architecture can also be beautiful, comfortable and affordable. Building a green home with climate appropriate locally available materials can make a huge difference to the earth. Using solar panels, composting waste and harvesting rainwater are definite positives in terms of the environment.

Also, houses should be constructed in such a way that ample light and air can get in and there is natural ventilation. This and the use of CFL bulbs will reduce the use of electric power. Reports say that 40% of greenhouse gas emissions are from the construction sector. Minimizing construction waste should be a priority and we must realise that transporting materials like Italian marble or granite etc from other states can leave behind a big footprint. The use of locally sourced stones like laterite, bamboo, mud and sun baked bricks is becoming increasingly popular among those who want to build green homes.

Switch to slow fashion

Cheap but fast wearing clothes that we buy online often end up in overflowing landfills and it is time to think about the true cost of fast fashion. Our independence movement was focused upon Swadeshi products including Khadi and maybe it is time to announce our independence from synthetic, unsustainable fabrics. Khadi is slowly coming back in vogue and in October 2021, the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), in Delhi saw an exponential sale of nearly Rs 1.02 crore. Since Khadi is spun and woven manually, it also has a low carbon footprint. Compared to mill-produced fabric that consumes 55 litres of water per metre, Khadi consumes only three litres. It also provides rural employment opportunities. Popular brands are also introducing fabrics like linen, mulmul and bamboo cotton while designers are upcycling vintage fabric and creating slow fashion that lasts long.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

One of the biggest issues that the earth is facing today is the accumulation of unsegregated waste. We can segregate our waste and also reconsider the culture of impulse led shopping which wastes money and often clutters our home with things we don't need. We can also follow the "three R's" of waste management to create a sustainable life and to prevent things from ending in landfills. We can all resist the urge to buy unnecessary things and also repair and reuse items rather than replacing them. We can also upcycle and recycle furniture, clothes and objects to continue using them rather than discarding them thoughtlessly.

Also Read: It was a day of reckoning

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