[1] Early this year, you  may  have noticed  and read in the news that several advocacy groups both from governmental and non governmental organizations have already initiated efforts to  disseminate information and  encourage all  people worldwide to take part in the global action to prevent environmental degradation and its adverse impact on our planet Earth.

These groups hold yearly celebrations  both at the local and international level to inspire worldwide awareness and appreciation of environmental issues.  There are two important related  events being celebrated   this year: one is the Earth Day 2010 on the  22^nd of this month and another is the World Environment Day , being spearheaded by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP),    scheduled on the 5^th of June.   Said events are expected to be people and e-friendly activities as several groups all over the world will observe this in many interesting ways  such as tree planting, school essays and competitions, street rallies/clean ups, recycling drives, bicycle parades and the like.

Likewise, on  March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. (local time) ,  the so-called Earth Hour [2]  succeeded its mission calling for all individuals, families and  business communities throughout the world to stand up and get involve by turning off their lights for an hour with the end goal of having a sustainable future specifically to fight against climate change. [3]

I became aware and had the opportunity to be involved in environment related discussions when I was still in the public sector.   The responsibility is far more different when you are assisting policy makers to formulate and address related issues on environment vis-à-vis when you are part of the group in the streets lobbying and advocating behind these issues.    My personal contribution and duty then as a responsible bureaucrat  was to make sure that the recommendation, at least from the technical level,  should always include strategies on how to resolve issues confronting the environment and that proposed projects be implemented in an  e-friendly atmosphere.   

Now that I am in the private practice and as part  of a blogosphere organization, I felt obliged once more  to share with you some useful thoughts about Earth Day 2010, which incidentally will mark its 40^th anniversary this year.   [4] Earth Day 2010 was first launched in the 70’s here in the U.S.   basically calling all the people worldwide to be mindful of the protection and conservation of our planet Earth and its environment.

As private individuals and as inhabitants of  this  world ,  it is our utmost responsibility to contribute in the humblest way  we can to make our planet Earth clean and healthy!  Why is there a need to care about the Earth and its environment?   It is simply because we have only one Earth which is our home -  this is where we live, eat, breathe, raise  and enjoy the company with our loved ones. IT MAKES SENSE, right?   If children in the lower/primary and middle schools are now being taught on these issues, how much more for us grown ups!  If we care and love this place, its next generations, your children’s children,  we should have the heart to actively involve even in the little things.  

You may say, oh well, there are  high profile organizations like the UN  and its affiliates actively handling these matters.   But the UN and other groups like the Earth Day 2010 can only do so much at their level.  The initiative should come from us, ordinary citizens, who comprise by the way, the  bulk of the pie.   We have a vital role to play, we are the major stakeholders,  and as such our contributions are  deemed  important.

I’m far from being an avid green activist,  but as being part of this world,  I would like to share with you some very helpful, practical, simple and useful tips on how to save our planet and its environs . 

But before proceeding to the tips,  it would be prudent to give you a brief scenario of  the impact of the said environmental degradation.   Based  on UNEP’s yearbook, apparently there  are cumulative effects of the degradation of the ecosystems, the overexploitation of natural [5]  Clean and e-friendly street along Forest Park, Queens , New York City (myusefultips photos  4/10)

resources, cost  of climate change, and the economic and human loss because of conflicts and disasters. Another effect as espoused in another report is the endangerment of the lives of certain plants and animals mainly due to forest reduction, pollution and hunting activities.  As technology improves, the more the problem on pollution is hard to resolve.  Those of us  living in the metropolis can attest to this that pollution has become a problematic area to handle with.   We may be aware that there are some industrial companies which may be guilty in releasing dangerous levels of chemicals, oil, garbage, and sewage into the atmosphere,  not to mention littering and landfills.   All these keep polluting the land, oceans, rivers and seas and if not eradicated and prevented,  we might all end up extinct!  [6]

The Useuf Tips 

Starting from our Respective Families

Everything starts at home…within our respective families.   The parents being the head of the family have the primary duty to teach their children on how to make their surroundings clean and healthy.   If possible, they should set as role models to them, both in words and deeds,  on what and which  lifestyle to follow.   Activities such as biking, recycling, reusing,  and avoiding buying necessary things are just a few to mention.  [7]

• Kids nowadays are being taught in school on how to recycle things (e.g. soda aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles)  so it wouldn’t be hard for the parents to ask them to help out sort the garbage for recycling and take them to recycling centers. [8]
• Another way is to turn off the lights  when not needed. Unplug any appliances when not in use.  Anything plugged into an electrical outlet emits an electromagnetic  field which apparently is harmful to health.  Use incandescent bulbs.  These are available in leading commercial establishments. 
• Conserve water.  Turn off the faucets when not in use.   Properly dispose of water plastic bottles. 
• Wash  your clothes once a week (full load).  It  is more energy and cost efficient than washing every other day (which contains only a half load).
• Use silver wares and real plates when eating and clean them afterwards - better to use a human dishwasher!   
• Start planting flowers and vegetables if you have a space in your home’s front or backyard    

[9]  

Newly planted  flower plant in the front yard of a home along Park Lane, New York  City (myusefultips photos 4/10)

• Buy and use “green” and eco-friendly products, as much as possible.  Said products conform with the  guidelines of  the  concerned  environmental protection agency where ever you’re located.
• If your work is relatively near from your place,  it is advisable  to walk or ride in a public transport, or use your bicycle instead of using your car so as to lessen the fuel emissions in the air.  [10]
• Last but not least is to avoid using plastic bags, plastic plates and the like.    There have been some hard efforts and plenty of lobbying to implement existing laws and guidelines.  Apparently, this is one thing that is hard to police and monitor -  what is needed is a political will not only from the authorities but from all of us as well. 

To the Community We Belong

• For sure, there are groups of environmentalists in your area  where members of your family or anyone can volunteer in their activities like  cleaning  up the beaches, drainage system, and important landmarks in your community.   These activities can be fun not to mention the worthy cause and the new faces and friends you will meet in these gatherings.
• Do not litter. Pick up trash in public places such as the playgrounds and plazas.
• Plant a tree to beautify your neighborhood and to keep the air clean.  We all know that trees give off oxygen for humans to breathe.  
• [11]  

                   The  neighborhood at Richmond Hill,  New York  City  (myusefultips photos 4/10)

• Participate in any fundraising activities for environment related projects. You may also join groups and help them distribute flyers and posters as part of their info campaign on environment related projects such as global warming and its effects on us and other living things.   There are lots of resources on the web which are very useful and informative. [12]  

You may have some other tips to share , so don’t hesitate to share it with me, with your friends and neighbors.

Taking care of our planet and its environment should neither be  a burden nor be done only for one day.  In  fact it should be a  lifetime commitment.   If you have been so lukewarm about environment related advocacies, I hope you will try your best to actively participate from now on and start rolling your sleeves  and get to working with the rest of the group. [13]