How can we save the planet?

Here are few ways to save the planet. All it takes to give back to nature is creating everyday habits that become as normal as waking up and brushing your teeth.

As Cape Town in South Africa faces its worst drought in a century and becomes potentially the first city in the world to run dry, the small acts by its citizens may just have succeeded in averting the doomsday scenario. Day zero has moved from this to 2019. Among other things, what it took was simple but effective measures such as 90 second showers, recycling used water from sinks and bathrooms, and even cooking meals that need little to no water.

What the city essentially proved in the process is that it’s the tiny tweaks that we make to daily living that will dramatically impact the environment and ultimately decide what kind of world we leave for those after us. One less plastic straw used,one compost unit created, one leak fixed that’s all it takes. In this story, we bring you expert advice on cost free minor alterations to your lifestyle that can save the environment.

1. If your are going somewhere within 2 km. Like the grocery shop or medical shop, walk. It takes 10 minutes to walk 1 km m. If your trip is within 3km, use bicycle, use public transport or carpool whenever you can. It cuts down on transport emissions by 70 percent every year.

2. Install pressure regulating aerators on taps to control the water flow. It can reduce wastage by almost half without affecting the pressure 15 litres of water flow from an average Tap per minute especially an old one.

3) use UF or UV water purifier instead of RO filter. The latter removes good minerals from the water, discards two thirds as waste, and also uses a lot of electricity. An RO filter is necessary if your water has harsh chemicals like arsenic fluoride and pesticides.

4) buy groceries and household items in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and transfer the products to reusable containers.

5) paper napkins require trees and a lot of foul chemicals, including bleaching agents. Carry a handkerchief to wipe your hands.

6) replace your electric fans with brushless DC fans, which will save energy. Switch to LEDs as they can repaired, unlike light bulbs and tube lights

7) insert one litre bottle into the flush tank. That way each time you pull the lever, you save a litre from going down the drain.

8) segregate waste and create a home compositing unit. Even if it’s a small one. It will help prevent a lot of transport emissions as well as trash from being burnt or dumped into the ocean.

9) wear dark clothes to reduce the amount of detergent per wash. White clothes also need to be bleached periodically. So they are best avoided.

10) use thin and small towels and avoid using them after every bath. The thicker and larger the towel, the more soap and water it consumes.