HEALTHY HABITATS, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT – Guyana Times

By now you would have already ratified your New Year’s resolutions, but make room for a few more if those don’t include eco-friendly living. It is vital that we rethink our culture, to help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change; but, where to start? The changes that need to be made can seem overwhelming, but with a few simple adjustments, you can help do your bit for the environment.

Here are a few old habits to leave in 2020:
Time to do with single use plastics
At the rate at which we pollute the ocean, with about 12.7 million tonnes of plastic a year, the damage we are doing to marine life and our ecosystem is irreversible. Our actions over the next 10 years will determine the state of the ocean for the next 10,000 years. It is high time to ditch single-use plastics and choose reusable items instead. Options are becoming more affordable, and fashionable to boot, from bamboo straws to customized metal water bottles, and mason jars as mugs for that cup of coffee in the office.

Beauty in the environment
As recently, global beauty and clothing brands are becoming more eco-conscious. Before making your next make-up and clothing purchases, check to see if your favorite brand is making an effort to be Earth-friendly.
Oh, and omit the face washings with micro beads. If you haven’t heard the news yet, microbeads are small pieces of plastic often used in cosmetic and cleaning products. They are less than 5mm in diameter, and are found in toothpaste, shower gels, defoliants, body wash, face scrubbers, detergents, cleaning agents, sunscreens, scouring agents, and synthetic fibers in clothing.
There are about 100,000 microbeads in facial wash products; a single shower can lead to 100,000 plastic particles entering the ocean. According to one estimate, the number that is washed down boxes in the United States alone every day has been calculated at around 808 trillion. They are eaten by small plankton, and work their way up the food chain, where they have been found in the stomachs of large fish and fish-eating birds.
In addition, you should replace the cotton pads with a reusable face cloth.

Food and the environment
The production, transportation, storage and other food related processes have a huge impact on the environment, affecting water, climate, land and people. While governments and corporations have their roles to play in creating a more sustainable and fair society, in terms of food, you, as an individual, have your role to play. Here are a few simple things you can do in the New Year (this list is not exhaustive):
* Do your best to source locally grown foods, and choose fruits and vegetables that are in season.
* Make a shopping list before going to the market or supermarket, to avoid buying unwanted items.
* Store fruit and vegetables separately, as the gas ether, released by fruit ripening, can cause vegetables to decompose more quickly.
* Cook only what you need, and don’t be afraid to use the leftovers.
* Kitchen and compost yard waste, a
* Choose more vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Exercise Rs waste management
According to the 5Rs, four steps should be taken, if possible, before ‘recycling’: refuse, reduce, reuse, replenish, and then
recycling. Incorporating this methodology into your daily routine would minimize your carbon footprint.

Reject: the first element of the 5Rs hierarchy
Learning to reject waste can take some practice, but practicing this step is the most effective way to reduce waste. Refuse to buy wasteful or non-recyclable products. When working with vendors, refuse to pack unnecessary products and ask for reusable or returnable containers.

Reduce the use of harmful,
wasteful, and non-recyclable products.
Reducing dependence on these types of products results in less landfills, and the associated negative environmental impacts. We recommend using the minimum amount at all times, to avoid unnecessary waste.
Single use plastics have created a “throw away” culture by normalizing consumer behavior of using materials once and then throwing them away. The rate at which we use plastic has become unimaginable, and the plastic crisis has become one of the world’s greatest environmental challenges (see above). Replace all disposable utensils, Styrofoam cups, water bottles and paper plates with alternatives that can be composted or reusable (after you use them, of course).
For all items that cannot be rejected, reduced, or reused, try RECYCLING. This method is often referred to as upcycling. Sometimes it requires the use of some creativity, but the possibilities are endless.
RECYCLING last, but definitely not least. Once you have gone through all the other Rs, recycling is the most environmentally friendly waste disposal method.

Sources

‘Old Me vs New Me’ Meme offers Valuable Tips for Eco-Friendly Living


https://www.condorferries.co.uk/plastic-in-the-ocean-statistics
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/microbeads-the-facts-the-fears-and-the-fight-have-them-banned-1.3112511#:~:text=How%20prevalent%20are%20they % 3F, calculated% 20at% 20about% 20808% 20ft.
https://www.roadrunnerwm.com/blog/the-5-rs-of-waste-recycling#:~:text=According%20to%20the%205%20R’s,program%20to%20the%20next%20level.

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