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Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Figure 1: The Importance of the Three R’s (De Luca, 2017).

 How do we make the world and our environment a better place to live in?  we can do so by following the three R’s in our day-to-day lives; Reduce, reuse and recycle.

We live in such a fast paced world that we forget or oversee the simple things in life.   One of the things that might be small but effects the environment on a bigger level is the three R’s. People are in such a hurry and tell themselves it is okay, it’s just this once, when they throw things in the garbage instead of recycling it because they in such a hurry. But what happens when a billion people do the same exact thing? “I am in a hurry, just this once”. This has a huge impact on our environment. When the weather is bad outside we complain, not realising that it is because of our actions that is causing global warming. We are damaging our home and the home for future generations.

Smadhi Artemisa tells us by simply making every day cleaning products at home we can reduce, reuse and recycle. By reusing  grocery bags and composting. Finally by buying recyclable products and recycling them instead of throwing them in the garbage (Artemisa, 2017). Following these three simple rules we can make our environment a better place to live in. We can also teach our children the importance of the three R’s on our environment. Show them how a small thing as composting can make a big difference.

The 15 minute video in figure 2 is a ted talk by Gail Wilson-Giarratano on “the Tao of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” talks about the Tao of reducing, reusing, recycling and the impact it has. She also talks about how it is also more than just the three 3 R’s and how it about leadership, possibility and people who care for our environment (TEDx Talks, 2017)

Figure 2: The Tao of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | Gail Wilson-Giarratano | TEDxCharlotte (TEDx Talks, 2017). 

I believe that the small things we do to reduce, reuse and recycle has a huge impact. It’s time for us to take a stand and live a greener life not only for us but for the future generation.

Comment below, what you do as a household or at work to reduce, reuse and recycle.

By: Rebecca Paul 

Artemisa, S. (April 13, 2017). Reduce, reuse, recycle - going green. Retrieved From: https://search-proquest-com.library.sheridanc.on.ca/docview/1889390049?pq-origsite=summon

De Luca, G. (August 15, 2017). The Importance of the Three R’s. Retrieved from: https://www.naturalhomebrands.com/blogs/news/the-importance-of-the-three-r-s

TEDx Talks. (November 30, 2017). The Tao of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | Gail Wilson-Giarratano | TEDxCharlotte. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f-Xj44Oo3c

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Eco-Friendly Products

Figure 1: 5 Eco-Friendly Products to Curb Plastic Pollution (Vijayan, 2018).

It takes a while to fall in love with Eco friendly products, but in the long run it benefits us and the world we live in. The products are sometimes not long lasting but honestly they are better for the earth and us. To be candid, not everything in my house is eco-friendly but I try my best to make more eco-friendly choices.

My first choice for any kind of product was; what is the best product in the market? I did not care if it was natural or had a ton of chemicals in it.  If it was a cleaning product, it had to work fast and needed less effort. If it was a beauty product, the end result is what mattered.  Ultimately I did not care about the effects it had on my skin or health.

One day, the topic about organic and natural products came up at work and many off my co-workers said they would use the natural products over chemicals any day. Many of them even make their own products at home, from food to cleaning supplies. One of my co-workers said she even teaches her children to read the labels on products and tells them that if they cannot pronounce an ingredient or does not know what it is, they should not be buying that product. Yes, the process is time consuming, but there are long term benefits.  

Fun fact, according to Technavios latest report, the global organic skincare products market is said to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 10% through 2020. There are been a huge demand in organic skin care products in the recent year (Technavio, 2016). People like us are starting to care about what we eat, what we clean with and what we put on our skin. I’ve changed most of my beauty products to natural eco-friendly products and I have seen a difference in my skin and hair.  Change for better living starts with us.

Here is a list of some eco-friendly products I started with:

Cloth grocery bags

Laundry detergent

Home cleaning products

LED bulbs

Reusable cloth instead of paper towels in the kitchen

Organic waste bin

Homemade face cleansers/ facemasks

Organic fruits & Vegetable (from local farmers market)

Sulfate free shampoo’s

Paraben free conditioners

 Take a minute and watch the video below on a DIY that I use. It is an all-purpose cleaner that I use around my house for a quick clean.

Figure 2: DIY 4-Ingredient All-Purpose Cleaner | GLOW (POPSUGAR Fitness, 2016).

What are some of the natural products you buy? Do you make any homemade products you would like to share?

By: Rebecca Paul

POPSUGAR Fitness. ( November 3, 2016). DIY 4-Ingredient All-Purpose Cleaner | GLOW. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgJv7ieE-Do

Technavio. (August 17, 2016). Growing Demand for Chemical Free Products to Create Opportunities for the Global Organic Skincare Products Market Through 2020, Reports Technavio. Retrieved From: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160817005039/en/Growing-Demand-Chemical-Free-Products-Create-Opportunities

Vijayan, A. (April 2, 2018). 5 Eco-Friendly Products to Curb Plastics Pollution. Retrieved from: https://buzzonearth.com/5-eco-friendly-products-to-curb-plastic-pollution/

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The Green Revolution

 Figure 1: Describes the meaning of green revolution (Grün, 2014)

Figure 2: Mahyco Grow shows the impacts of green revolution on India (Grow, n.d.)

Figure 3: The image depicts about agriculture (Inmarsat, 2017)

The achievement of the first "green revolution" was to deliver increases in food production that have more than kept pace with the growth of demand arising out of population and income growth in most areas of the developing world over the last two generations (Ruttan, n.d.)

I believe this is one of the most important events of twentieth century. This is one of the best steps based on the changing needs and requirements. The inclining population really demanded such kind of a step.

I think without this many people would have died of starvation without anybody’s fault. For instance, it completely transformed India from a grain deficient Nation to food security for all.

Figure 1. illustrates the meaning of green revolution and Figure 2. Depicts India as an example of green revolution where it was first initiated.

It transformed many areas worldwide to increase production of agricultural yield mainly, wheat and rice.

Unfortunately, there’s a negative side attached to it. Green revolution initiated the modern agricultural needs that is the use of HYV (high yielding variety) seeds which improved the production. But, it required enough water, chemical fertilizers and pesticides which were quite expensive to be bought by the poor farmers. This started building pressure on the farmers and they started committing suicides.

Moreover, it increased pollution and crop diseases. I feel that this has been because of the greed to produce more. Underestimating the long-term effects, it can have on people eating those crops.

What are your views regarding it? Comment what can be done to reduce the negative effects of green revolution.

 By: Kashish Malik

                                                      References

Grow, M. (n.d.). Youtube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq8b-iCgvLM

Grün, G. G. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7NpalI-0hg

Inmarsat. (2017, October 11). Retrieved from IoT set to fuel next Green Revolution in farming: https://www.inmarsat.com/news/iot-set-to-fuel-next-green-revolution-in-farming/

Ruttan, V. W. (n.d.). The Doubly Green Revolution: Food for All in the Twenty-first Century. Retrieved from Population and Development Review, vol. 24, no. 2, 1998, p. 394+. Business Collection: http://go.galegroup.com.library.sheridanc.on.ca/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T002&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=2&docId=GALE%7CA21059926&docType=Book+review&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=&prodId=

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Green Living : The easy living

Figure 1: Nurul Adillah explains how one can live a Greener Life, (Adillah, n.d.)

Figure 2: Recycling waste management (kiss png, n.d.)

 Hands-on demonstrations show the students checking air pressure in car tires, installing energy efficient light bulbs, turning off electronics when not in use, and recycling. These steps show that a little effort goes a long way (Mandell, n.d.). This blog shows you how you can lead an easy life by living green.

I feel green living is a thing that encourages you to optimise your health, the heath of the community and your planet. This could be done by choosing to use non-toxic products, by not wasting resources at all.

Green living does not mean to live near a countryside area and eat food by producing it yourself. But, it just means to live differently in a manner that is harmless to all living organisms.

One can live a greener and healthier life by taking the following steps:

    §  Disposing the waste in the bins.

    §  Purchase products and materials that are reusable and can be recycled.

    §  Avoid using plastic bags for shopping. Go for green bags.

    §  Plant more trees.

    §  Switch of electric devices when not in use.

    §  Purchase organic products.

Greener living can make our life hell lot easier. Moreover, it makes you more aware about your environment. Organic products will improve your lifestyle by making you look better. In addition to this, you will feel good as you’ve done something that doesn’t harm your planet.

I believe that it is high time that we should be aware of our responsibilities towards our environment and become a responsible human being.

How can you make the world a better place to live in? Comment a radical way you can live a green life.

By: Kashish Malik

                                                References  

Adillah, N.  (n.d.). youtube. Retrieved from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1xm4Bl-VmE

Mandell, P. L.  (n.d.). Gale Business Collection. Retrieved from Easy being green:  http://go.galegroup.com.library.sheridanc.on.ca/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T002&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=20&docId=GALE%7CA282425414&docType=Brief+article%2C+Video+recording+review&sort=Rel

(n.d.). Retrieved  from kiss png: https://www.kisspng.com/png-recycling-waste-management-reuse-plastic-environme-1336447/

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ECOTOURISM : A Sustainable way to Travel

Figure 1:  Wen-Yen Pai explains the meaning of ecotourism (Pai, 2016)

Figure 2: Ecotourism concepts (Dreamstime, n.d.)

Promotion and development of tourism in general and ecological tourism / ecotourism, especially should not ignore the negative impact it can have on the environment (Andrei, Chiritescu, & Gogonea, n.d.). This blog shows you how beneficial is ecotourism.

In modern era, tourism is inclining at an encouraging rate, but we overlook the effects like extinction of species like flora and fauna, loss of forest land and agriculture  etc. Responsibilities like protecting our own resources, conserving our environment, increasing income of the local communities of the place of travel etc.  must be taken into consideration.

Ecotourism will benefit our future generations to have a better environment to live in. This will help to protect sensitive environments and reduce the impacts on earth.

I have visited quite a few forests when I was on my adventurous trips to some remote areas. To my surprise, the environment, the greenery made me feel so proud of my mother earth. Fortunately, this was because not many tourists visited there. The local communities kept it very neat and clean.

When I came back to the urban areas I could breathe that unhealthy air all over again. This was the  moment when I could feel the difference.

Moreover, if we keep our surrounding clean it will make us feel fresher and keep us away from many  diseases. Keeping the environment clean enables to have  many more benefits like it will improve tourism in your area which will further increase income for your country.

Whenever you travel anywhere, try to understand the culture of the local area and try to adapt yourselves accordingly.

 What are other benefits of ecotourism? Comment below what distinctive step will you take to conserve the environment.

 By: Kashish Malik

                                                    References  

Andrei, R. D.,  Chiritescu, V., & Gogonea, M. R. (n.d.). GaleGroup. Retrieved from  Ecological Tourism- A form of responsible tourism: http://go.galegroup.com.library.sheridanc.on.ca/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T002&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=10&docId=GALE%7CA518437842&docType=Report&sort=Relevance&contentSegment=&prodId=ITBC&contentSet=GALE%7CA518437842&searchId=R1&userGroupName=ko_acd_shc&inPS=true

Dreamstime. (n.d.).  Retrieved from Ecotourism concept:  https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-ecotourism-concept-image29503667

Pai, W. Y. (2016,  March 2016). Retrieved from youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDIfFTs9V1A

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Our Carbon Footprint

Figure 1: Tread lightly dear friends (Carbon Offsets To Alleviate Poverty, n.d)

People would buy more green products if they were only taught how to do so (Harvey, 2016). This blog is about showing you how you can care for the world you live in by a the few simple things you can do.

Our Carbon Foot print. We hear so much about how we are going through global warming, but we do not realize the role we play in it. I believe global warming is because we are mistreating the planet we live in. What is your carbon foot print look like and how it effects  our eco system. 

Watch Figure 2 video below by Simpleshow who explains what a carbon footprint is. This Video in simple terms really opens your eyes.

Figure 2: simpleshow explains the Carbon Footprint, (simpleshow, 2012).

We can help reduce carbon foot print in many small ways. You ask how do we reduce our carbon footprint to live in a more eco-friendly environment? You are probably thinking, it is easy said than done. Guess what, it is not that hard to reduce your carbon foot print. Reducing your carbon foot print is as simple as just turning off a few lights in your house. Using more organic local products to cook for your family. Even taking a walk to the Corner store instead of driving. It is hard to find local grown products in the winter. In the summer, my husband I try our best not only to support our local farmers, but also eat natural local gown produce. Cotap.org give us 25 ways to reduce our carbon foot print (Carbon Offsets To Alleviate Poverty, n.d.).

What is your carbon Footprint like? Comment below what you do to reduce your carbon footprint?

By: Rebecca Paul

                                                   References

Carbon Offsets To Alleviate Poverty. (n.d.). 25+ Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. Retrieved from: https://cotap.org/reduce-carbon-footprint/

Harvey, C. (August 16, 2016). “People would buy green products – if only e-commerce showed them how.” Washington Post, Business Collection. Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com.library.sheridanc.on.ca/ps/i.do?p=ITBC&u=ko_acd_shc&id=GALE|A460858661&v=2.1&it=r&sid=summon

Simpleshow. (December 18, 2012). simpleshow explains the Carbon Footprint. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q7_aV8eLUE

Tread lightly dead friends. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://wwf.panda.org/_/footprint/