Have you ever felt like each summer gets hotter than the last one lately? Or that typhoons are somehow getting stronger? Ever wondered why this happens?
Well, the simple answer is global warming. Global warming is the increase in the average air temperature near the earth’s surface for the last one or two centuries.
This phenomenon’s primary cause is human activities that harm the environment such as burning fossil fuels, other forms of pollution, and deforestation. If these activities aren’t reduced, scientists warn that the world will face worse droughts, flooding, and other environmental disasters in the years to come.
While many government leaders are trying to do something about climate change, you can also do your part as a remote worker to protect the environment at home.
So, to celebrate Earth Month, here are some tips for protecting the environment.
Practice the Three Rs.
When discussing how to protect the environment in our daily lives, the first thing that comes to mind is practicing the three 3s.
This acronym stands for Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, and it’s the simplest way to lessen our waste. Doing these helps reduce the waste that goes through landfills, thereby reducing pollution.
Let’s start with Reduce. In a nutshell, reduce means the less we consume, the less we throw away. This includes using a washable water bottle instead of buying disposable plastic bottles and bringing an eco-bag to the store so you don’t have to use plastic bags.
Next, let’s discuss Reuse. Reusing means repurposing older items instead of just throwing them away. Examples include donating old clothes, using old mugs as pencil holders, and turning old towels into rags.
Finally, the most famous of the three r’s is Recycling. This is the process of remaking discarded items into new products. Examples include turning old plastic bottles into pots for plants, converting old cans into windchimes, or even just turning over plastics, glass, and metals to recycling centers.
Try Composting.
If you have a garden at home, one of the best ways you can help protect the environment while at home is through composting. Composting is a natural process of recycling organic waste, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, into compost or fertilizer.
This process naturally enriches the soil and helps plants grow faster and better. It is also a more eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers and reduces the waste going into landfills.
Avoid Wasting Water.
Another simple thing you can do to help protect the environment while at home is conserving water. If you’re not using your faucet, turn it off. That’s it.
Sure, it sounds simple. But as the country faces a water crisis, every drop counts. How did this happen? It’s because the dams that provide clean water for parts of the country are drying up due to the summer heat.
This results in situations where there’s less or no water coming into certain areas for hours if not days.
So the next time you use your faucet, remember our current situation and turn it off the moment you’re done using it. As a bonus, this also helps reduce your water bill this month.
Reduce Your Use of Your Electronic Appliances.
I know, it’s summer. And believe me, I know how hot it is right now. I couldn’t even spend a few minutes at work without sweating a bucket nowadays.
But if you want to protect the environment, you should reduce the number of appliances running while working remotely. Yes, these include your electric fans and airconditioners.
Besides helping reduce your electric bill, using less electronic appliances also lessens greenhouse emissions, the leading cause of global warming. In addition, when purchasing light bulbs and other appliances, try to get energy-efficient ones. The less energy coal-burning power plants need to produce, the better it is for the environment.
Support Local.
If you haven’t noticed by now, there’s a connection between saving the environment and saving money. Another cost-saving measure you can do that also helps protect the earth is buying local fruits and vegetables instead of imported ones.
Believe it or not, excessive food production is one of the main reasons for deforestation. People convert large tracts of forest land into crop plantations or grazing pastures for livestock. And we haven’t even discussed the fuel needed to transport the produce from these farms to cities – or even to other countries.
So instead of buying imported goods, why not buy freshly harvested local fruits and vegetables? Not only are they cheaper, but you’ll also support the livelihoods of our much-underappreciated farmers.
Opt to Ride a Bike or Take a Walk When Traveling Short Distances.
With how hot it is today, it’s understandable most of us would prefer to travel in an air-conditioned car. But not only is walking and/or riding a bike a great exercise, but they also significantly reduce our individual carbon footprints.
So if you’re just traveling short distances, such as going to the local supermarket or marketplace, why not use your legs and walk instead? But if walking or biking to your destination is impractical or impossible, you can try carpooling with friends.
Spread the Word About Environmental Issues.
Knowledge is power. If you want more people to care about the planet’s current situation, you must try to spread the word about it.
To do so, you need to remain updated with the latest news and information about the environment. Knowing more about the various environmental problems enables us to better inform others about what’s wrong with the environment and what we can all do to help.
And when you’re trying to spread awareness about environmental issues, don’t forget to mention possible solutions as well. If you don’t know where to start, you can use the ones mentioned above as a starting point.
Only One Earth to Protect
Celebrating Earth Month is more than just watching nature documentaries or sharing nature pictures on social media. It’s for learning more about the effects of climate change and more importantly, ways to protect the planet from it.
And protecting our planet shouldn’t just be the responsibility of governments or environmental advocates; it’s on all of us. If we want to leave a better world for our children, now’s the time to do our part in achieving it.
While the tips mentioned above are just a few of the ways you can protect the environment while at home, you can make a difference, so long as you’re willing to sacrifice a little bit for a better future for all.
And if you’re still on the hunt for an online job, Remote Staff is here to help. Our jobs list has plenty of positions available for you to choose from, so you’ll never run out of options. Good luck!
