Our environment is changing every second, and the tribulations that plague it continue to worsen. It is no secret that most of the damage to the environment comes from our actions. Apart from recycling efforts, saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we must change our daily habits to conserve the environment. “Awareness on saving the environment is essential for all of us; little actions make a big diference and small changes in our side can multiply into a huge effort on saving the environment,” remarked Ashish Mehra, a Current Employment and Designation Business Development Manager at Gulf Power & Industrial Projects Yusuf Bin Ahmed KANOO, in Jeddah. He suggested some environmentally green day-to-day tips that can contribute substantially to environmental sustainability:At the home • Unplug all electrical devices completely when not in use. Standby mode utilizes 10 percent of the device's energy when not in use. • Turn off lights and appliances when leaving the room. Switch to energy-efficient lighting (like CFL lamps). • Regulate your home temperature. Set the thermostat two degrees higher in the summer and two degrees lower during winter. • Keep the refrigerator's temperature between 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer's temperature between zero and five degrees Fahrenheit. • Clean air conditioner filters every month. A clogged filter increases the air condition's power usage and reduces efficiency considerably. • Use microwaves instead of conventional ovens and stoves. • Dry clothes on a clothes line instead of a dryer. • Use low-flow shower-heads and faucet aerators to conserve water. • Ensure all taps are leak-free. Switch off the water tap while brushing teeth. • Install dual-flush toilets to minimize water wastage. Alternatively, immerse a liter bottle of water in the flush bowl to reduce water usage. Also, try buying recycled toilet paper. • Try taking a 10-minute shower in eight minutes. • Use frequency inverters when using electric motors. • Do not use oil-based paints because they give off fumes. • Insulate your home adequately. Use energy-efficient windows. Install skylights wherever possible for natural illumination in daytime. • Install a timer for lights wherever necessary. At the office • Reduce Air-travel considerably. Try video-conferencing for meetings instead. • Switch off lights and power strips when leaving the office. • Switch off all computers and accessories when not in use. • Adopt flexible timings and encourage working from home. • Reduce office space wherever possible. • Invest in green information technologies. Adopt technology to our advantage and use energy-star rated devices. • Use sustainable sourcing tools and choose “greener” suppliers. • Use recycled paper, print judiciously and use both sides of the paper wherever possible. • Use less packaging and sustainable packaging. Recycle whenever possible. • Use proper mugs instead of paper or plastic disposable cups. Travel tips • Advocate public transport systems. Even try walking to work if staying close by. • Switch to hybrid fuel engines. • Start and participate in a car-pool system. • Use radial tires and check tire pressure periodically. • Try driving at off-peak hours. • Do not overload vehicle. Avoid abrupt braking and speedy acceleration. Maintain safety and savings by pre-judging road dynamics. • Travel as light as possible on outstation trips. Outdoor tips • Use recyclable and reusable shopping bags. • Buy in bulk to reduce frequent trips to the supermarket. • Buy local fruits and vegetables as much as possible. • Reduce imported meat consumption. • Try to grow perennial vegetables in your kitchen garden. • Water the garden in the mornings only. • Try planting a tree in your neighborhood. • Use rechargeable batteries. “I can assure you that if each of us puts into practice even 50 percent of these tips, the world would be a better place – at least for our future generations,” concluded Mehra.
