BENEFITS OF THE 3Rs

The three R's of sustainability—reduce, reuse, and recycle—are critical because they not only reduce the environmental impact of human activity but also conserve natural resources and protect the environment for future generations.

Now that we have understood in detail what the 3Rs mean ( Reduce, reuse, recycle) let us take a look at some of  the benefits of these:

1. Lowering the amount of greenhouse emissions created that add to global warming as these methods prevents emissions of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants. 

2. Saving energy and money. Creating new items requires energy, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. We can reduce the need for new production while also saving energy. Conserving  materials for continuous reuse in making new products saves on costs. 

3. Decreasing pollution created from unearthing raw materials. It can also improve air quality. When waste is buried in landfills, it releases harmful pollutants like methane and carbon dioxide into the air. It reduces the amount of waste that ought to be burned, improving air quality and lessening the risk of respiratory sickness. It can help to reduce water pollution. When waste is disposed of in landfills, it can contaminate groundwater. It reduces waste, lowering the risk of water pollution.

4. Reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfills or put in incinerators. This is because we will be using products to the fullest extent of their life cycle. 

5. Conserves resources for our children’s future.

6. Helps create jobs. Reduce, reuse, and recycle can help local economies. Recycling creates jobs and promotes the circular flow of the economy.

7. Stimulates the development of greener technologies.

Here are some more benefits shared by our Social Media family members: 

Twitter 

@veroforplanet - 

"Recycling is a tale. We need to lower human populations and, therefore, lower waste. And yes, it will be helpful if you actually will recycle, not talk about it. Only 32% of our trash gets recycled."

Instagram 

@its_winnie_cheche -

"Help curb/delay plastic pollution."

@globalgiving -

"Having less landfills"

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy - 

"Less waste"

@aisha_bagha -

"Reduces greenhouse emissions"

@zainab_akadir - 

"Prevent pollution caused by harvest of new materials"

SIMPLE ACTIONS TO SAVE THE EARTH

 Protecting our planet starts with you. Before we go to the elaborate methods of trying to fight climate change and stop pollution, let us focus on the easy first steps anyone can take to protect our planet. 

This series will take a look at a few of the actions we can take, but first let us take a look at the reasons why we need to protect our planet. 

The first main reason being there is no other planet! If we destroy this one where will we live? where will our children live? Where will our great-great-grandchildren live?! We want to live happily and peacefully on our green-blue planet 😊

All the beauty Earth has been providing us with is dying, we need to protect all these dying species that make our Earth unique from all the other planets. 

Our health is increasingly being tested by the various new and ever mutating viruses and diseases. A healthy planet leads to a healthy life. This makes our fight against pollution so critical. All sorts of diseases and the most nuisance of it all, cancer, are becoming deadlier and more common then ever. An infant dying of cancer is the most devastating news you can hear these days testing our mental health. 

These are just some of the main reasons, there are infinite more. We might find other habitable planets in the near future but as for now this is the only planet with food, water and oxygen, not forgetting peace, love and happiness. Lets get together and love and protect it 💚

Let's take a look at what our Instagram family has to say about the simple actions taken to save the Earth: 

@zainab_akadir -

" Planting trees " 

@aisha_bagha -

" Protect the ecosystem: one of the ways is to declog the environment by recycling, reusing."

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy -

" Keep the environment clean " 

Chapter 3 : IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING ENDANGERED SPECIES

 Biodiversity is the variety of life (its ecosystems, populations, species and genes).  Saving endangered species (plants and animals) from becoming extinct and protecting their wild places is crucial for our health and the future of our children. As species are lost so too are our options for future discovery and advancement. The impacts of biodiversity loss include clearly into fewer new medicines, greater vulnerability to natural disasters and greater effects from global warming.

Plants and animals maintain the health of an ecosystem. When a species becomes endangered, it’s a sign that an ecosystem is out of balance. And the consequences can be critical. The balance within an ecosystem isn’t always easy to maintain; the loss of one species often triggers the loss of others. 

The conservation of endangered species, and restoring balance to the world’s ecosystems, is vital for humans, too.

Let us take a look at some of the reasons why it is important to protect endangered species:

1. Ecological Importance 

Healthy ecosystems depend on plant and animal species as their foundations. When a species becomes endangered, it is a sign that the ecosystem is slowly falling apart. Each species that is lost triggers the loss of other species within its ecosystem. Humans depend on healthy ecosystems to purify our environment. Without healthy forests, grasslands, rivers, oceans and other ecosystems, we will not have clean air, water, or land. If we allow our environment to become contaminated, we risk our own health.

2. Medical

Of the medicines currently available, about 50% are derived from natural products. At least 120 chemical compounds, derived from 90 plant species, are important drugs currently in use in many countries around the world. By loosing biodiversity, we are losing the chance to discover new medicines that could end the suffering of millions of people and save national economies billions of dollars each year.

3. Aesthetics

The natural world is beautiful and valued for its aesthetic appeal. Loss of biodiversity impoverishes our world of natural beauty and wonder, both for ourselves and for the future generations.

4. Recreational 

National parks and game reserves uplifting the socio-economic environment of their respective countries. They are bring people together, and further education and environmental conservation. 

5. Agriculture

Many of the benefits of biodiversity accrue to agriculture itself. For example, the marine environment is a source for insecticides. Others benefits include crop pollination, soil fertility services provided by microorganisms, and pest control services provided by insects and wildlife. Biodiversity loss has important implications for agriculture.

6. Poverty Alleviation 

Biological diversity provides the world's population, particularly the poor, with food, medicines, building materials, bioenergy and protection against natural disasters.

7. Pollination of Crops and Natural Vegetation

Many flowering plants rely on animals to help them mate by ensuring fertilization. Bees, butterflies, beetles, hummingbirds, bats, and other animals transport pollen, the male reproductive structures, from one plant to another, with enormous benefits to humanity. 

8. Preservation of Soil Fertility

Soils, with their active microbial and animal populations, have the capacity to supply adequate nutrients to plants in suitable proportions. Natural forest soil had a higher content of total nutrients and biomass.

REFERENCES :  www.endangeredspeciesinternational.org

Let us take a look at what our social media family has to say:

Facebook: 

Stefan Sommer -

" Because they are our life support system. Without them we are nothing." 

Tasha Tarasco -

" Variety of Wildlife is beautiful why not protect it "

Instagram:

@Souqbazaars -

" How can we expect the best for our children, when we cannot even care for our Earth "

@_real_rizwana -

" It's each of our duty to protect the environment and co-habitat on Earth peacefully " 

@rkonlineconsulting -

" It is our duty to make sure all species are protected for the future " 

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy - 

" If animals/trees die, then it'll be end of human life. We need them, they don't need us " 

@its_winnie_cheche -

" Because extinction means losing them forever "

@aisha_bagha -

" To protect the fragile ecosystem " 

HOW CAN CHILDREN HELP PREVENT GLOBAL WARMING

We have looked at simple steps we can take at home to combat climate change. So how can children help? There is an increasing importance of teaching our future generations on how to take care of our delicate planet after all they are going to be living in it! So why not start now. 

So here are a few ways in which children can actively take part in fighting climate change: 

1. Conserve energy 

• Turn off the lights.
• Close doors immediately so heat does not escape.
• Take short showers.
• Walk or bike if you can (instead of having your parents drive you).
• Turn off your computer when not in use.

2. Convince people around you to save energy 

Ignorance has been one of the main roots of global warming . So share what you have learnt through words and actions. 

• Replace incandescent with fluorescent lights. (This saves a lot of money!)
• Ask your parents or adults around you not to leave the car running needlessly. 
• Recycle  (this saves energy in manufacturing).
• Run the dishwasher and other appliances on energy saver mode.
• Keep the house at 68°F or less. And make sure the heat goes off at night and when everyone is away.
• Start a conservation club at school to raise awareness. Get your fellow students and teachers on board to have the school reduce energy consumption.

3. Keep learning 

As much as we try to conserve and use sustainable methods and products in our day to day, finding and implementing sources of energy is also crucial. 

Kids are the future of our planet and they are the ones who will be finding better ways to conserve and save it, therefore education is the key to becoming a responsible Earth citizen and continue making good decisions for our planet in helping to find scientific, technological, economic and/or political solutions. 

Let us as parents, educators, siblings and guardians help us guide our young ones to a sustainable and greener future! 

Thank you to members of our social media family for your contributions: 

@real_rizwana (Instgram) -

"Teaching children of nature is extremely crucial for tomorrows world" 

@_sustainable_solutions (Instagram) -

"Not litter and taught to love the world, after all it's our home."

@counselor.hijabi (Instagram) - 

"Use public transport or carpool" 

@Linus Paul (Facebook) -

"Planting trees" 

IMPORTANCE OF GOING GREEN

Going green has huge effects on our body, mind, relationships, and the world around us in many ways. Our environment can either increase or reduce stress; hence impact the body. The things we see, experience or hear can change our mood and how our immune, endocrine, and nervous system function.

A stressful environment causes anxiety which in turn elevates blood pressure, muscle tension, and heart rate and going green reverses these impacts. A natural environment is a stress reliever, it heals and makes you feel better emotionally and contributes to your physical wellbeing. It helps us cope with pain. This is because trees, water, plants and other natural elements distract us from pain and discomfort.

A green environment also helps us to connect with others. People who have green space around their homes build more relationships and are concerned about supporting each other. Such also lowers aggression, violence, and street crime between people meaning a better capacity to cope with the daily demands. 

Going green creates a healthy living environment and also improves lifestyle. 

Reduce resources consumption and eliminate wastes.

Conserve natural resources and forests.

Maintain the natural ecological balance on earth so that all living things can survive and thrive in their natural habitat.

Use of fossil fuels like petroleum, natural gas, and coal, and burning wood produce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and many harmful chemicals that pollute the air and have serious consequences on environment and people's health.

Such measures can save lives, because air pollution has become "a major environmental health risk," according to the World Health Organization (WHO), that has led to the premature death of 3 million people. Decreasing air pollutants would reduce water pollution by decreasing acid rain and eutrophication that can harm to wildlife especially in aquatic environments, and crops and trees report Massachusetts' Department of Environmental Protection.

Save Biodiversity and Human Livelihoods.

These are just some of the importance of going green, there are countless more economic, environmental and personal benefits of going green and living a sustainable life.