ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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16-07-2020
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
ABSTRACT
We live in the 21st century, which is a purely technological age for the human species. Just like we cannot rely on outdated software that is lacking in maintenance and frequent updates; we cannot in like manner rely on a dying environment to serve and sustain our daily needs. Thus comes the urgent need to replenish our resources through our activities. Every single day we are faced with the choice to do one thing or the other for the betterment or detriment of the environment. We have been made aware that all we do every single day will go a long way in making an impact on the environment. Environmental conservation is a radical subject that requires radical changes to be made in the society today. Given that we are the race that has discovered that we have been causing fatal damage to the environment, we might be the only ones able to save it. Despite the fact that we result to evasive strategies when called upon to pull our resources together, we all realize that it is up to us to make or break the environment. Our daily activities can prove to be avenues adequate enough to help cause a positive impact. As living beings, we have been endowed much more power than the inanimate objects. There is much we can do to bring change. Do we really understand our roles? Do we really understand the concept?
What is environmental conservation? Environmental conservation is the practice of human beings taking part in various daily activities to save the environment from total collapse. This may come about by a loss of species and ecosystems due to pollution from human activities. Environmental conservation helps both trees and animals, since some of us are dependent on them to survive. We need to save trees because they convert the carbon dioxide we produce from factories and our bodies via excretion, to oxygen for us to breathe and respire. Loss of species is bound to occur if their habitats keep getting destroyed. If more and more species go extinct, then we would not be able to see them once again, and this will make it very hard to study them. Not to mention, it disrupts the food web and can mess up the whole ecosystem as well.
There is much to do when it comes to rebuilding and protecting what’s left of natural resources and the biodiversity within our ecosystems. Environmental conservation is an umbrella term that defines anything we do to protect our planet and conserve its natural resources so that every living thing can have an improved quality of life. Conservation works in two ways: protecting nature by protecting vital resources, and it is also a way of living that works against the irresponsible practices of businesses and large corporations. Environmental conservation comes in many forms and reminds us to be mindful of daily choices. No matter how busy your life may be, it remains fairly easy to make small, yet necessary, changes for the good of the Earth. If we all took little steps, we would make our way towards major progress. This can be achieved by paying more attention to what we purchase as well as dealing diligently with our meagre resources. We must also remember to recycle and dispose of chemicals properly so that the ground and bodies of water are not poisoned. The environment is vital to our well-being and every element should be protected. Consider every part of the environment, including the trees, the oceans, and the soil. The trees that help us to breathe also isolate greenhouse gases that would cause the Earth to heat up more quickly. They hold soil in place and naturally filter water that has been absorbed into the ground. These are just but a few of the reasons why it is an essential practice to take care of the environment.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT?
Removing the sludge that fills up the bottom of our water bodies can acts as a positive first step towards conservation of the environment. Our oceans, seas, rivers, springs and lakes are undeniably enchanting, but there is much more to it than visual splendor. When we look up at the clouds and feel the rain, the ocean is to thank for it. Home to countless types of marine life and plants, the ocean is both a shelter and a life source. It gives us more than half of the Earth’s oxygen supply and stores large amounts of carbon dioxide to help keep the Earth cool. The soil, on the other hand, stands as its own supporter of life by acting as a supplier of food and a filter of water. Soil that is of good quality produces crops that feed humans and animals. Plants and flowers sprout up from the ground through the soil, helping to regulate our climate. Most of nature’s water isn’t made for human consumption, but soil also stores groundwater and filters it, making it safe for drinking. The trees, the seas, and the ground; these three elements are necessary for our existence, and there are still more parts of nature that we need to protect. This is why there are a large number of conservationists, many of which have dedicated themselves to protecting specific causes.
Conserve by using less energy and embracing alternative sources of energy. By embracing and promoting alternative energy sources, we would relieve the earth. If every household incorporated the concepts of sustainable living by using less and conserving more, the positive impact would be immeasurable. Solar energy and wind power are two of the renewable energy options that we could use more often. Yet, a large amount of energy we exhaust comes from the burning of non-renewable fossil fuels to power cars, the electricity in homes, and much more. While we don’t completely control how energy is offered to us, there’s always room to live in a way that uses less of the energy that can’t be replenished. Begin to conserve by making small changes to everyday routines. For example, use window light instead of turning on lights during the day and replace standard light bulbs with bulbs that are energy efficient and last for an extended period of time while requiring less energy to run.
Help to replenish what is being taken away by giving back to the earth. Deforestation continues to be a major environmental issue. Many forests are losing countless acres of valuable trees, and because these trees are destroyed, the greenhouse gases they were storing go back into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. If we employ the concept of planting two trees for every single one we fell, there will be enough trees to keep the ecosystem naturally self-sustaining like it has been for ages before. We can consolidate all our energies in taking part in tree planting projects that are held all year round.
Many are the times we have claimed that education is the key to success. Maybe even in this case, education will help us succeed in our efforts to conserve and save the environment we live in. Educating ourselves about the environment we live in will go a long way in creating knowledge and awareness. When we know what we are doing wrong from the research we do and the content we study, we can as well find out what we can do better or different in order to receive the results that we expect. The more we dig deeper for knowledge and understanding, the better placed we are, in educating our young ones and even those around us who remain ignorant. Information is power, and with this information, we would the greatest weapon that mankind is yet to clearly and adequately confer allegiance to. By maintaining its health and status we can create life, but by paying no heed to it, we can destroy all life in its various splendid and wondrous forms.
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH?
Animals and people lose their food supply and homes, and the economic status of a region can also change because fewer forests often lead to fewer employment opportunities in the area. Planting trees is a way to give back because it aids in the restoration of homes for wildlife, food sources, and medicinal properties that only the trees provide. As trees grow, they protect soil from harsh weather conditions and protect us from excess carbon dioxide, enabling us to live longer and more comfortably. Help to protect the quality of soil through composting. When we feed the soil, especially by using leftover parts of food that would otherwise be thrown away, we give the soil nutrients that it craves. Enriching the soil this way sets off a positive chain of events that allows for other plants to grow naturally, leading to improved air quality and adding to the beauty of the land.
Practicing of habits that are part of conservational efforts is a step towards environmental health. Cars are constantly driven all over the world and are major contributors to pollution. Keep your vehicle in top shape to cut back on the carbon that it releases into the atmosphere. When you go car shopping or need to replace your vehicle, look beyond the outer appearance and consider the environmental impact. Decide to purchase electric or hybrid vehicles instead of gas guzzlers as a stylish and money-saving alternative. Walking, riding a bike, or using shared transportation when possible can help improve environmental health.
In the world today, we have a very high percentage of people who own personal vehicles. Majority of the population in third world countries, construe ownership of a vehicle to material affluence and they end up saving for most or all their life in order to own a car. Despite the fact that vehicles in these countries, act as a conducive and reliable means of transportation. Some of these vehicles are usually old and their owners fail to take them for service once the due date arrives. This leads t copious amounts of Carbon and Sulphur emissions that highly degrade the ozone layer protecting us from ultraviolet rays. The ripple effect of such actions is the obvious greenhouse effect and an unhealthy environment that can no longer adequately support the general population.
If we start growing our own food for health purposes and to relieve the stress placed on the soil then we can relieve the strain on soil nutrients in specific limited spaces. Commercial farms tend to have a poorer quality of soil because the ground is mistreated in order to quickly produce as many foods as possible. If you grow your own food, then there is less need for the toxic chemicals that are used in industrial farming zones. Planting your own food also tastes much better as it grows naturally and in the season while preserving essential nutrients. Few households mostly based in the countryside areas have began adoption of such methods of food production. Some real estate property owners have also come up with the idea of modern farming. They set aside entire buildings fitted with structures that offer ample space and necessary requirements for plant growth i.e. food production. These areas also act as museums where people can go sightseeing as well as learn from these innovative inventions.
Talking to other people about environmental conservation can also help bring awareness. There are many fun ways to do this. For example, you can have parties based on eco-themes to start important conversations. You can use holidays and environmental based events to introduce others to sustainable practices that can benefit them as well as the planet. The more people that recognize the environmental issues we face, the more likely they are to make positive changes. They can in turn make donations directed at efforts and activities that improve environmental health.
Global warming would slow down, and wildlife would flourish more abundantly without the disturbance of human activities. The government and many large corporations play a big part in how we make use of the Earth’s resources, but they aren’t the only ones who determine the impact we have on the planet. With so many of us on this Earth, we can make all the difference in the world. Real estate developers who build private mansions in secluded pieces of land normally clear large tracts of forest land in order to get good building spaces. This greatly reduces forest coverage since most of them never plant back those trees. Such actions, even though greatly overlooked (since they build prime properties owned by the wealthy people in the society) greatly contribute to deforestation and destruction of natural resources. We should not entirely curtail the entire process of building and housing, but we should be reasonable enough to replant the felled trees and therefore maintain the circle of life.
WHAT CAN YOU PERSONALLY DO TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT?
Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three “R’s” to conserve natural resources and landfill space. Despite this, being a mantra that has been repeatedly said for quite a long time now, most people still remain ignorant of the same. Learn to upcycle. There are so many crafty ways to reuse things you already have. Research to learn fun new projects that can bring new life to old items so that you don’t have to throw them away. Reduce the excesses of what we consume and finally throw away. By sparingly making use of the available resources, we can use less energy to produce all the collective energy required.
Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed, too. There are multiple programs held in different places in the world today that are geared towards creating a cleaner, healthier environment. Such movements that partake in cleaning the parks, beaches, water catchment areas and even planting trees hold events very frequently and make it a habit to improve environmental health.
Educate. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources. It always starts with us. We all have a personal role to play in this fight against environmental degradation. With such education within ourselves we can impart such knowledge to our young ones who will take up from us and even do better than us. We should remember that all our actions will always have a resulting consequence. Therefore, let’s do better so that we can also live better.
Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in the ocean. Wash your clothes and dishes only after you have a full load. Save water by turning off the faucet, taking shorter showers, and make use of nature’s water by collecting rainwater to water your lawn. Such personal based initiatives result in combination effects which are the improvement of the health of our environment.
Choose sustainable. Learn how to make smart food choices. Choose sustainable and clean sources of energy. When we can learn to eat well; more of a plant-based diet, we tend to live healthier lives. The less fleshy meals we eat, more we are able to maintain a self-sustaining ecosystem. Despite this being deemed a much too radical change, we can always advocate for partial vegetarianism where our food choices are conscious and rational.
Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag. Over the recent past, human beings were used to taking home plastic shopping bags and disposing them aimlessly. The realization that such ignorant careless actions have caused a negative effect on the environment has made governments take decisive action in banning production of plastic bags. Such actions are progressive and will go a long way in improving the status of our environment.
Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also flip the light switch off when you leave the room! More and more people on a daily basis, come to the realization that yellow light is harmful to their eyesight. Manufacturers are now producing more bulbs with (LED’s) light emissive diodes, which consume less power and give off white light which is more convenient where eyesight is a matter of concern. We should also make more use of natural light during the day. This will help reduce our electricity bills and will help power production and distribution companies spend less in less production of energy required in the national grid.
Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air, and help combat climate change. We can take personal initiative in our own homes to plant trees or even gardens in our lawns. This will help in increasing the green flooring of our bare soil and help attract rainfall necessary for our rivers, lakes, oceans and even enable plant growth.
Don’t send chemicals into our waterways. Factories are urged to build and maintain good water purification plants which may help in their daily production process and as well reduce the waste products released. They are also advised not to release their waste water into large water bodies since this will harm marine life. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and office. In the spirit of bringing environmental conservation to a personal level, we should keep our places of work non-toxic as well.
Bike more. Drive less. The less we burn gas fuel, the less toxic air is released into the atmosphere. In essence, this will reduce the rate of ozone depletion and also control the greenhouse effect.
Stop smoking. If you don’t smoke, you lessen air pollution and improve your lung health. This may become quite a task for someone with frequent smoking tendencies, but we all must make little sacrifices for the greater good, because in doing so, we achieve a sense of accomplishment and implant in ourselves the virtue of selflessness.
Change the way you clean the house. Use sustainably made items or all-natural products that aren’t made with dangerous chemicals. It’s better for your health as it doesn’t pollute the air, and is less harsh on personal items. Some chemicals we use to clean our house surfaces may be too strong and highly dangerous as well as aggressive to our skins. We should make better choices in such chemicals and also encourage manufacturing companies to make better cleaning products.
Unplug electronics and appliances. If an item is not in use, that doesn’t mean it isn’t requiring electricity while plugged up. When an item is unplugged, it’s not using any power at all. This saves more energy for future use while being cost-effective therefore conserving the environment.
If you can, avoid using plastic water bottles and paper so often. Anything you do use that is recyclable, be sure to dispose of it properly. Some organizations have also made a point of collecting plastic materials from various households around certain communities and using them to create different creative items like sculptures and even seats. This is a great step towards a better healthier environment.
Contact government officials and support petitions and other companies that promote change. In the event that we find people who care less for the environment or do things that are detrimental to the environment, we should contact the relevant authorities. We can also make donations to pro-environment organizations to assist in their activities.
Be kind to others. Donate things that you don’t use anymore instead of throwing them away. You avoid trashing valuable items while making it available to someone else for less money. On a similar note, purchase items that were gently used instead of buying new material that has been mass-produced with no regard for the environment. Charity begins at home in any case.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION?
Environmental conservation doesn’t just mean protecting animals on the other side of the world. It is in fact essential to our own survival. If your response to anything to do with the environment is either ‘there are more pressing issues’ or ‘who cares?’ then it might be time to consider how important it really is. It takes personal incentive and dedication to what is right for our very own welfare to conserve and keep our environment healthy. The following are a few of the importances of environmental conservation.
Importance to agriculture
Agriculture depends on the environment and we depend on agriculture. This is obvious in countries where the economies depend on agriculture but applies to all. A country’s wealth might come from something else but its population needs to eat. Conserving the environment and preventing soil erosion, desertification, and flooding is essential. Unsustainable farming techniques not only impact natural ecosystems but also ultimately make farming itself impossible.
Importance to fishing
While much of our food comes from agriculture, the oceans are also an essential source. Communities worldwide depend upon seafood. Marine conservation is vital to protect human food supplies as well as marine animals. Looking after the seas doesn’t just mean saving big, glamorous animals from extinction, important as this is. At the moment there are serious conservation issues affecting the oceans, including over fishing and pollution. The complex, interlinked ecosystems need conserving in our own self-interest. You might not be interested in saving the whale, but saving the human might strike a chord.
Importance to climate
Human activities impact the climate, and this affects all life. Droughts, floods, and extremes of heat and cold, are caused by global warming, which is almost certainly linked to greenhouse gas emissions. Some countries are already experiencing disastrous effects, while others it is just, for the moment, inconvenient. There are other, more local, climate changes also caused by not treating the environment with respect. For example rainfall is affected by deforestation. Conservation of natural environments should be done not just for their own sake, but also for that of the world as a whole.
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