4 Things You Can do to Protect Our Planet (World Earth Day, 22nd April)

Can we save our earth? While the answer is ‘yes’, there are some ‘ifs’ that we need to fix first! 

Our planet has had enough for a long time, primarily due to our foolish and careless deeds! Climate change and biodiversity loss are the biggest crises the earth is now witnessing. While we do not have decades but years to address this existential threat, we need to act with great urgency.  

Every year, World Earth Day is celebrated on the 22nd of April. However, just celebrating a day will do no good. We need to get together and indulge in more action and fewer talks!  

Here are a few things we can do to protect our earth before it’s too late! 

1. Reduce your waste

Do you know that you can actually help the environment by throwing your cold drink cans in the recycling bin? If not immediately, it will make a difference in the long run. Similarly, if we can reduce the paper waste and recycle them to reduce waste.  

If you are wondering, urban India generates almost 62 million tonnes of waste every year! Thus, next time you go grocery shopping, carry a reusable shopping bag, for earth’s sake!  

You can also take some conscious decisions like: 

• Choose alternatives to fast fashion.
• Avoid single-use cups, bottles and likes.
• Donate your old clothes. 
• Carry your own cutlery while going out. 
• Do not waste food.

Besides reducing waste, try to recycle and reuse as much as possible to protect our earth. 

2. Choose sustainable food

The Science journal published a report that shows that the greenhouse gas emission only from the food production would cause 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming by 2050! Have you ever imagined the food we are consuming every day at what price?  

But, there is still a ray of hope if you start eating sustainably. How? 

• Go local and buy fruits and vegetables from local farmers.
• Eat whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and seasonal produce. 
• Cut down on processed food, red meats and packaged items.  

You can also grow your own kitchen garden with minimal effort. Trust me picking up a tomato or some lettuce from your garden will give you immense joy! 

3. Go for green and clean energy

No matter how hard we try, reducing carbon emissions is impossible if we rely on fossil fuels. However, we can take action and shift to green energy such as solar and wind and other renewable energy sources to mitigate our power needs.  

What you can do is, walk or cycle a short distance instead of taking a car, and set up solar panels on your roof to reduce electric consumption. It will allow power plants to produce less power hence a lesser carbon footprint.  

4. Plant trees whenever possible

The importance of tree plantation is something you have been hearing since childhood. The question is, have you ever taken it seriously? In all probability, no!  

However, it’s better late than never. Start planting trees in your garden, locality and everywhere possible. A baby tree can absorb 13 pounds or 5 kilograms of CO2 every year. For a mature tree, it is 48 pounds or 21 kilograms! 

Imagine the impact of planting at least 100 trees a year the earth will have!  

Have you picked up any habit to protect our earth recently? Tell us what that is in the comment below! 

If you enjoyed reading this blog, we also suggest you read 5 Habits That Promote Kidney Health (World Kidney Day).