10
ways your family can make a difference to our world
It is a little overwhelming sometimes when we think of
all the things we would like to fix in the world! But the good news is that
the little things you do really do make a difference to the overall scheme
of things. If we all were a bit more conscious in our daily lives the impact
would be huge. Here are a few ideas that most families can do quite easily.
1.
Recycle- be conscious of waste and the amount of rubbish you are
creating. Try to buy items with minimal packaging or packaging which can be
recycled. Try to find some shops where you can refill your containers.
Always try to take your plastic bags back to the shop (many shops have
recycle bins for shopping bags these days) or use boxes. Most shire councils
provide recycling facilities or bins so try to use them as much as possible.
2.
Make compost- most of your household scraps can be put to good use in
a compost pile, a worm farm, or given to chooks/ducks. If you have a veggie
patch the compost will be great for planting into. If not just use the
compost on your garden. It is always good to put vital nutrients back into
the soil. Read our article on composting at
home for more information.
3.
Help lessen greenhouse gases- most people are already quite aware of
the dangerous effects of aerosols. Another significant factor is the use of
fossil fuels. If we can reduce our use of cars the impact would be huge.
This can be done by using public transport, car-pooling, working from home,
or by riding a bike/ walking whenever possible. See article on Greenhouse FAQ's
4.
Take only what you need and share your surplus- once again be
conscious of waste and think of ways of using left overs. Anything you have
in excess, share around. It is amazing what you will start to receive back
when you do this.
5.
Use alternative energy sources when possible and build sensibly. The
way we build our houses greatly effects the amount of resources we use in
the future. Careful consideration can have huge savings in the long term,
for you and our planet. Existing houses can also convert over. See the
inspiring real life story: A use for
odd socks. The materials used when building and the house design also
have significant implications. Check out some of the books on alternative
building in our “Books to Read” section or have a look at The
Wilderness Society's One-stop Timber Shop.
6.
Reduce the use of pesticides and chemicals – there are many ways
you can take care of your house and garden without the use of harsh
chemicals and pesticides. Have a read of our article on environmentally
friendly cleaning products for some great ideas.
7.
Buy sensibly- try to buy items that are necessary, have had minimal
impact on the environment during their production, and are sensibly
packaged. Check out the buying guide in The
Big Love Gift Guide.
8.
Use water wisely – one of our most precious resources is water. You
can help reduce your water use by planting natives in your garden, watering
less often, watering early or late in the day, using grey water on your
garden, taking shorter showers, and installing an efficient shower head.
9.
Teach our children well – our children are our future. If we can
show them, by example, how to care for others and our earth, they will
incorporate this into their way of thinking.
One great example of enlightened youth is Millennium
Kids.
10.
Learn more yourself- the best way to keep growing in our lives is to
keep learning. The most important message overall, though, comes from the
Dalai Lama.
See what you and your
family can do for our future today! Even the smallest step is significant.
by Robyn Antonelli,
