ways to reduce ecological footprint
Ways to Reduce Ecological Footprint
Man is dependent on nature for a variety of things. In order to sustain life on this planet, it is important to follow different ways to reduce our ecological footprints.
- A sure method is to set realistic goals, and to create awareness for the need of solving environmental issues. Involve every member of your family and friends to raise awareness about the need to reduce the ecological footprint on an individual level.
- Small steps like buying organic and locally grown food can help in a big way. It reduces the footprint generated by food or goods transported around the world, which forms a part of unnecessary spending and wastage of resources like fuel and manpower. The sustainability and proper use of local resources, and a healthy and fresh consumption of food leading to a much better society, is guaranteed by this small endeavor. A 2007 United Nations survey points out the fact that global livestock resources are a big cause of environmental pollution, more than the effect of transportation footprints. Meat eating leads to the demand for more livestock, and hence, necessitates heavy deforestation and utilization of more grazing lands. Thus, changing from a meat eating to a vegetarian person is more effective in reducing ecological footprint, than changing your vehicle to get a more fuel efficient one.
- The use of public transport in most of the cases, and walking or cycling short distances, is another way to ensure less damage to Earth's ecology. This reduces your carbon footprint, ensures a good physical and mental health, saves money, and ensures a greener, uncrowded, and a healthy ecology.
- Use clean and green sources for electricity generation. Utilizing alternative sources like wind, solar, or tidal energy must be encouraged as the existing fossil fuel are degrading the quality of the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced by use of halogen bulbs instead of the conventional lighting, and also by turning off devices when not in use. Conservation and avoiding excess use of electricity are vital for bringing down ecological footprint.
- Use recycled products, avoid the use of plastic bottles, plastic bags and cans, encourage community use of tap water rather than bottled ones, stop overuse of water, etc., are a very small steps for an individual. But the same methods can cause a huge positive impact in reduction of global warming and climate change.
- Plant and nurture tress as much as possible. These are our best friends, and ensuring their presence in large numbers is the best way to ensure a clean, green, and lively planet.