World Nature Conservation Day is a day devoted to increasing awareness about the importance of protecting our natural resources.
Let’s conserve our planet’s natural resources – water, air, sunlight, minerals, and forests, for example. All of these things are found in nature and used by all of us every day, the nearly 8 billion people that populate the Earth, expected to exceed 9 billion by 2037. These resources are being depleted at record levels, so rapidly that many people are concerned they will completely exhausted.
For this reason, many individuals and organizations stress the importance of conserving our natural resources.
The good news is there are some simple ways to conserve our natural resources.
Lighting:
-Turn off lights in rooms you are not using, even if you are just stepping out for a few minutes.
-Switch to LED light bulbs, which use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.
-Utilize natural light. Open curtains and blinds to allow natural light into your home during the day.
Electronics and Appliances:
-Unplug electronic devices, even when they are turned off, as they can still draw “phantom” power.
-Use energy-efficient appliances. Choose Energy Star appliances when purchasing new ones.
-Reduce appliance use: Delay or combine appliance use, such as laundry or dishwashing, to reduce overall energy consumption. Air dry clothes by using a clothesline or drying rack instead of a dryer whenever possible.
Heating and Cooling:
-Lower the thermostat in winter and raise it in summer, even by a few degrees, to reduce heating and cooling costs. Consider using a smart thermostat to automate temperature settings and optimize energy use.
– Weatherize your home. Seal any air leaks in your home. Ensure your home is properly insulated to prevent heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
– Replace air filters: Regularly replace or clean your air filters to ensure your HVAC system is running efficiently.
Water Usage:
Some scientists say our planet’s water supply will be gone by 2050.
-Use cold water for laundry. Washing clothes in cold water can save significant energy.
-Take shorter showers, shut off the faucet while you brush your teeth, and consider using rainwater for irrigation to water your lawn and flower beds.