We are all capable of fixing what's already been done to our planet. It's time to start saving it.
1. Not recycling
Recycling something small may seem tedious or underwhelming, but even one small piece of plastic could end up in the throat or stomach of an animal. To you it's just a straw or a plastic fork...to an animal it's either life or death.
2. Driving dangerously
No, I'm not talking about swerving lanes or going more than 5 miles over the speed limit. Driving dangerously means driving too much or driving when it's not needed. Every single time you start your car, it lets off hydrocarbons that pollute the air and destroy the environment. If you truly want to save our future generations, drive less and bike or walk more. It's good for you and everyone else.
3. Growing population
It's not a secret when you visit large cities that the Earth is overcrowded. At the current moment, our populations sits around 7.6 billion and it will only continue to grow... once we hit 10 billion, we're unable to sustain everyone with food. Earth is not made to hold 10 billion people, and if we continue on this path we'll only hurt ourselves. Make smart choices, use protection, educate teens and preteens.
4. Consuming animal products
Livestock and factory farms not only destroy land, but they pollute and kill the Planet as well. The most Greenhouse gases come from factory farming, and the industry continues to try to hide the cruelty. Within the next few decades, meat and dairy consumption will only continue to rise so we need to focus on this now and not 10 years from now. If you have a choice, try plant based alternatives. One person can make all the difference.
5. Wasting Water
A well-known fact about the human population is that we use water for EVERYTHING. We overuse and use unnecessarily when some countries have no water, to begin with. When you brush your teeth, turn the faucet off. When you show, decrease your time. Maybe even donate to the companies that transport water to the needy.
6. Not shopping locally
These days, we have chains like Wal-Mart and McDonalds taking over. It's no secret that these chains and others as well treat their workers terribly, and also use cheap materials and products. Instead of giving your money to a massive power hungry corporation, shop at your local grocery stores. Put your money into a company that actually cares about your town.
7. Traveling
We all want to visit a country away from our own, but what happens when you go and you only hurt the country in the process? Before visiting, look up their rules on recycling or rent a handy bike to sightsee. Some people also think that if they litter out in a different country, that it won't affect their own... No matter where you are, pick up and keep the place cleaner than when you first got there.
8. Not buying correctly
It's always far better to buy organic and locally. If you buy fruit or vegetables that aren't labeled organic, you get more pesticides. Try bringing your own bags as well so you're not always using plastic bags at the store. Whenever you can, limit any possible waste.
9. Flushing things down the toilet
People think that it's better to flush things down the toilet like floss or other items to stop them from going to the landfill. Well, you're not helping anyone because it either goes into a treatment plant that sends it to the landfill anyway, or it somehow finds a way into a large body of water.
10. Using non-reusable cups
A lot of people enjoy their Starbucks coffee, but it makes an impact when you buy a cup nearly every day and throw it away. The company started doing a thing where you can buy very cheap reusable cups at the stores. You also get 10 cents off every buy when you go in with the cup.
11. Using plastic bottles
Plastic bottles are incredibly common when it comes to things people could easily recycle but down. Each year, Americans have used around 50 billion bottles which is an insane amount. Why use a bottle when you can easy buy a reusable one and put better water in it? Stop buying plastic. Even if you do buy it, recycle.
I hope reading this article helped you realize how bad our Earth actually is. Anyone of these points, just one, could help more than you could ever possibly know.
