Before I even started with the A,B,C… of this series, I was
absolutely sure of the letter ‘G’. As the series is designed to focus on
aspects that matter to me, it was impossible to miss out ‘Global warming’. With
a life partner who talks about optimum utilization of natural resources at every
possible moment in our household, it was only fair to include it. While global
warming is a universal event, impacting every single life form on this earth;
it is essential to think, analyze, ACT and contribute our share in every
possible way.
I will not make it
a scientific article with facts and figures. Also, I do not intend to write an
informational piece with analysis, reasoning, world-wide effects or prevention
measures. When I chose to include it in my series, the idea was to see how you and I
can make a little difference too. It is absolutely impossible to change the
world by a single moment of awakening. Like single drops of ocean, you and I
are mere particles of the universe. Hence, expecting major transformation by
our thoughts or actions alone is totally impossible, to say the least. But
then, particles form the universe and universe is ours.
With that thought in mind, why can’t we make a little
difference within our power?
What is the harm in
making an attempt to work for the environment in our capacity?
And finally, even if our efforts do nothing great, at least
they won’t hurt our mother nature.
Let’s face it, you and I are not the sole warriors of this
earth, but if each one of us thought the same, where will we find ourselves,
some years down the line?
We cannot guarantee any concrete output through our humble
efforts to save the environment. Neither can we preach these ideas to others
with the understanding that it will be absolutely useful. This makes it
incorrect to frame the post in a preachy mode. I can be labelled as a ‘hypocrite’,
if I use a third-person perspective and expect others to follow, instead of making
some efforts, myself. Hence, rather than penning down a list of instructions or
useful steps to protect the environment; I will share my set of efforts for the
same.
These efforts are
born with an aim to contribute something good for our mother earth. They may be
useful, useless, good, harmless or just random acts. The aim is not to garner
appreciation or medals for the environmental cause, but to address the giant
trouble of ‘global warming’ on a household scale.
We completely understand that
our efforts within a tiny dwelling in little corner of the earth will not make
any difference at all. Useful or useless, the effect is not as important as the
thought behind it. Besides, sharing my practical ideas does not mean I succeed
in adhering to them always. As human as I can be, I often fail to practice what
I preach. Though I cannot guarantee this adherence to the last bit, I always
remind myself about the bigger picture. Hence, failure or success is not
significant, but doing my own bit definitely is.
While I write our
steps/ideas/plan to attend to this issue of global warming, the underlying
thought is to ponder and share. In no way, do I intend to shoot out set of
instructions for others to follow. As long as the eco-friendly team mate (read:
my husband) and his sole sincere partner (read: me) are able to do something
good, the outcome will be nothing less than ‘good’.
These are the set of instructions or reminders, penned over
our personal notice board. Take a peek into our house board, as we strive to
follow these steps. Do send your feedback, ideas, views or comments to make
this earth, a better place to live.
1.
Limit the usage of paper as much as possible –
use washcloths for cleaning, avoid printouts, use blank side of prints.
2.
Segregate milk cans, cardboard boxes, paper and
plastic from rest of the trash and discard them in recycle bins
3.
Limit generation of waste as much as possible-
recycle and reuse as much as we can
4.
Use steel bottles for drinking water and glass
container for water storage
5.
Limit wastage of water and electricity- shut
down wi-fi router at night, remove plugs from the plug-points, when not in use
6.
Use machines only after collecting full load of
clothes
7.
Avoid disposable plates, cups, glasses
8.
Maintain potted plants in the balcony, water
them with recycled water from kitchen or bathroom
Remind each other to follow all the steps and
point out as soon as one falls off the track. After all, it poses as an
opportunity to remind the better-half that he/she is not always the ‘better’
one!
These are some of the reminders set for our
household. Though we often fail to follow them to the ‘T’, we make all possible
efforts to stick to the rules. Let us help the environment and attend to the
trouble at our doorstep. Only after we realize that ‘global warming’ is not an
alien issue from another planet, but a domestic trouble of our own house; we
will be able to act over it.
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