|  It is common knowledge that the air people breathe nowadays is far from being ideal. With the presence of numerous factories, smoke belching vehicles, cigarette smokers and even accidental forest fires, the quality of air has decreased greatly. This scenario has resulted to various health problems affecting the primarily the respiratory systems of people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Is there still hope of reversing this scenario? Are we doomed to die gasping for fresh air and praying for a healthier environment? Thankfully, the answer is filled with hope. While we can’t go back to the clean air that our ancestors had centuries ago, we can still have a better environment by doing some essential actions. Here are some of the ways that we can still breathe clean air no matter where we live.
Inside your home, you can already do your part. You may start by participating in the local utility’s energy conservation programs. You can inquire for tips on how to go about this. If they don’t have a set program yet, encourage them to start one. You must also unplug items that are not being used often, such as the DVD player or the oven. They still draw electricity even if you have turned them off already. Remove the harmful refrigerants of your refrigerator, dehumidifiers and air conditioners before disposing them in the garbage can. By doing so, you can help prevent the release of approximately four million pounds of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) each year. Remember that a used refrigerant can still be recycled and reused. In addition, you may also utilize water-based cleaning products in your home to prevent air pollution. During your shopping sprees or grocery trips, bring along a bag to minimize the consumption of plastic and paper packages. This is but a small price to pay for giving Mother Nature a second lease in life.
Seek out environment-friendly cleaning products by looking at the labels. If you want, you can use common household items like baking soda, lemon juice, salt and white vinegar. Since they are natural-based, they contain less chemicals which is good for your family’s health.
Outside your home, you can plant shade trees and other tall grasses to help lower the heating and cooling bills. Avoid burning your garbage, debris and leaves in your backyard or front lawn. This contributes to harmful emissions resulting to smog. You may also harness the power of a charcoal chimney starter when you have barbecue parties instead of lighter fluid because the latter evaporates, adding more pollution to the atmosphere.
The workplace is also one area where you can be an environmental warrior. You may broach to your employer the idea of offering incentives for employees to carpool or take public transportation. Another tip is to try telecommuting or working on a compressed schedule. This ensures that you can avoid rush hour and cut automobile emissions by a great percentage. You will also feel less stressed out. Just imagine how much gasoline can be saved leading to a lower number of smoke belching cars.
You may also spearhead community efforts of cleaning the air that you breathe. Start by replacing the holiday lightings with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs because they are more efficient and lasts for a much longer time. Schools must also be encouraged a smooth transition from toxic diesel fuels to natural gas in newer school buses. A regular energy audit must also be implemented among municipal buildings. Lastly, you must seek bids from contractors who are going green and sustainable.
These are just some of the most common ways by which you can help this world a better and healthier place. By doing your part, the environment will be on its way to a rapid recovery.
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