Every 30th day of March, at exactly 8:30 p.m., individuals, communities, and businesses are encouraged to participate in a one-hour, lights-off event to become one with the campaign to save the only proven living planet we have—Earth.
Dubbed as “Earth Hour,” led by the World Wide Fund for Nature, the event continues to promote the theme #Connect2Earth that aims to remind the importance of nature. Started in 2007 in Sydney, the annual event has grown into a worldwide campaign.
Environmental organizations and groups bat for campaigns that may help save Earth, its natural resources, waters, lands, all of it. We listed some steps you can do to contribute in saving the planet.
START WITH YOURSELF
Don’t be a hypocrite. When you want a change for something, you should start the change with yourself.
We are taught in our early age to be disciplined in throwing our trash, whether how small or big it is. We should also know the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable, recyclable and non-recyclable. This is something that we should practice every now and then. It might be a simple and small way, yet it leaves us a big impact to have a better world.
BE ONE WITH EARTH
Participate. Committing yourself to volunteer in an environmental campaign is one way to protect the planet.
Get involved in activities and campaigns which are usually conducted by small and big organizations. Most of the time, environmental campaigns are held quarterly and annually. Activities come in many forms such as river cleanup, lights-off, and fun run events. Pasig River Clean-up, Earth Hour, and KapaligiRUN 2018 are just a few examples.
PRACTICE THE PRINCIPLE OF 3Rs
Learn and practice the reduce, reuse, and recycle initiative. This principle aims to promote an eco-friendly society that will contribute to preserving and conserving the only planet that we have. This initiative also aims for effective usage of the resources that we have.
When we say reduce, it means lessening the usage of plastic wastes. Instead of buying plastic products, you will instead find other alternative products. If possible, reduce the usage of plastic cups, eating utensils, drinking bottles, bags, or hygiene products with plastic packaging. There are lots of alternative products today that are eco-friendly, such as shampoo bars, metal straws, organic oil, and eco bags. These products might be pricy, but each product is equal to a help you give to our environment.
If you find reducing hard, you might opt for reusing, which means finding alternative uses for the material.
Instead of using plastic bags in shopping your groceries, why don’t you bring an eco-friendly and reusable bag?
But if we still find reusing a difficult one, opt for the third “R”—recycling.
To recycle means to transform plastic and other wastes into a raw material that can be used to create a new item. For example, tetra packs are now being transformed into a stronger and reusable shopping bags, while pet bottles are used to create plastic chairs, much like the “Plastic Ni Juan Project” of Eat Bulaga.
PLANT A TREE
Remember the days when you, as a young boy scout or girl scout, participated in a tree-planting activity?
See, even a young kid is taught how to become a tree planter. Tree planting is an activity that lets you plant seedlings in an area. These trees help us protect our waterways and provide us cleaner air and water.
In every tree that we plant is a help in combating climate change and soil erosion.
PREACH
Share the word. Educate people on the importance of protecting Earth’s natural resources. Encourage every individual to support and get involved in environmental campaigns.
Tell the people the reality that we are currently facing right now, so they will become aware of what they should and must do to contribute and take part in saving the planet.
Teach the young minds on how to become an Earth warrior and the discipline of preserving our natural resources. Share and help them practice the principle of 3Rs.
CONSERVE WATER
Water is a very essential part of every living thing. It is the building block to sustain and maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
For plants, water is one of the main elements to carry out the process of photosynthesis. For wildlife and mankind, water is one of the main resources to sustain their lives.
If we conserve water, we can prevent the chances of experiencing water shortage in the future. More living things will have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of water.
More than that, we can prevent wastewater from ending up in the ocean, which is the main habitat of seawater creatures.
These are just some basic steps that we can start to save the Earth. All we need is to bring a little change in our daily lifestyle. But these simple ways have a bigger and better impact to the world.
Some might find it hard to practice, but if, if we only try harder to follow them, it will lead us to something better.
