HELP THE PLANET TO SURVIVE
April 22nd World Earth Day

Have you ever stopped to think how lucky we all are for enjoying life in this beautiful planet called “EARTH”?

Not that any of us has ever experienced life in another planet, (at least not just yet), but thanks to the increasingly fast technological advances, we have been able to see what life looks like in another planets i.e. the moon, mars etc.

Just comparing our “Blue Planet” with those already mentioned, should be enough for the Human race to be thankful on a daily basis for being so lucky to be its inhabitants.

AND YET…………………………………..

Yes, and yet what is the human race doing to care, protect and preserve this Planet of ours?

As someone who after approximately the last eight years, has awoken to the unsettling reality of the wanton damage and destruction that humans are causing the Environment and hence the Earth, I think that I am in a position to confirm that we have done ZILCH – ZERO, not only to protect and preserve but worse than that. Our over thirsty ambition for commercial gains and greed has led us to indulge in the systematic destruction of the natural resources which Mother Nature has put in place to ensure the survival of the Planet.

Naturally I would need much more space than just a simple column to go into the specific details of how our actions are affecting the Planet and possible actions to address this problem, but I am going to be less ambitious and will only give brief examples on the local scenario.

OZONE LAYER-EMISSIONS

Have you ever stopped to think that whilst the engine of your vehicle is running idle when waiting to cross the Runway, or waiting in the queue to go into Spain, or waiting for a change in the traffic lights, your vehicle is vomiting poisonous smoke, harmful to the environment, to passers by and to yourself???
SWITCH THE ENGINE OFF WHILST YOU WAIT!.
BETTER STILL DO NOT USE YOUR CAR UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY… WALKING OR CYCLING IS ALSO GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!

WATER

Do you realize that water is a scarce precious liquid which should not be wasted?

CLOSE YOUR TAPS- DO NOT WASTE!

ELECTRICITY

Did you know that the diesel fuel needed to run the Generating Stations is becoming increasingly costly due to the dwindling reserves of fossil fuels? Until such time as the powers that be acknowledge the benefits of switching to alternative energies for our source of electricity and energy,

SWITCH OFF UNNECESSARY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AT HOME AND AT WORK1

PAPER

Are you aware of how many strong healthy trees are cut down every day to produce the tons of paper which we use and waste? Are you aware of the harm that this practice does to our environment?

USE RECYCLED PAPER AND ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS TO SWITCH TO RECYCLED PAPER.
IT WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE LOCALLY!!

SHOPPING

Attracted by the facilities offered by Banks and Credit Institutions, coupled with the increased standard of living which we enjoy (at least in the Western world) we tend to convert many of our weekends into a shopping spree. Many of us go shopping for the sake of it when we actually do not need to buy anything.

WHEN ENGAGED IN THIS ACTIVITY, REMEMBER TO MINIMISE THE NUMBER OF PLASTIC CARRIERS.RESUSE PLASTIC BAGS, BUY COTTON BAGS IF YOU CAN!
DO NOT BUY WOODEN ARTICLES UNLESS THEY CARRY THE FSC (FOREST STEWARDSHIP LOGO).

THESE MEASURES ALSO GO A LONG WAY TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT. AGAIN TRY TO BUY ARTICLES MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS

SMOKING

What can one say about smoking which has not already been said, in any case it is worthwhile repeating that:-

SMOKING CONTAMINATES THE ENVIRONMENT, POISONS THOSE AROUND YOU AND AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH AND LIFE SPAN. QUIT NOW!!!

USED BATTERIES

Did you know that old and worn batteries (cd players, computers, cassette players, electro domestic appliances, radios etc etc) contain very damaging acid. What do you do with them when you don’t need them any more?

PLEASE DISPOSE OF THEM IN AVAILABLE OUTLETS AT POST OFFICE (SOUTH DISTRICT), BAYSIDE SCHOOL, MORRISONS (PREVIOUS SAFEWAYS) LOBBY.
WRITE TO THE AUTHORITIES ASKING FOR MORE OUTLETS TO BE INSTALLED.

AWARENESS

Do you ever bring up the Environment as a topic of conversation with your friends AND family?

RAISE THE SUBJECT AT EVERY AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITY. TALK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND GREEN ISSUES AT EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY. CREATE AWARENESS!

ORGANIC GOODS

Have you ever thought of changing to organic produce?

THINK ABOUT IT AND START CHANGING IF PRICE IS NOT PROHIBITIVE! COSTS ARE GOING DOWN!!

UTILITIES COST

Are the recent increases in water and electricity hitting your pocket?

RENEWABLE ENERGY WILL REDUCE COSTS IN THE LONG TERM AND DECREASE POLLUTION.
WRITE AND LOBBY GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE CLEANER AND CHEAPER RENEWABLE ENERGIES NOW.

The above are just a few examples of little actions we can take and which would go a long way in helping get Planet Earth back to health from the degradation that Human Activity is inflicting on it.

Think positive! Act positive! Change to Green initiatives and help to leave behind you a better place to live for future generations.

PIN THIS REMINDER SOMEWHERE IN YOUR KITCHEN AND HAVE A GOOD EARTH DAY.

Ernest Teuma
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY GROUP