The human population continues to grow, but the size of Earth and the resources available for our

use are
limited. Humans greatly impact the world around them, and our actions can and often do have dramatic and
long-lasting consequences.

Humans Are Destructive

With over seven billion people on Earth, there's simply no way that humans can exist without impacting our
surroundings. We have come a long way from our primitive ancestors, and with such evolutionary changes have
come new tools and technologies, but also new ways in which we affect the ecosystems of Earth.

Everything we do, make, or use comes from nature in one way or another. We cut down trees so we can build
houses of wood. We remove water from lakes and aquifers for drinking and cleaning. We extract oil, coal, and
natural gas from deep underground to power our cars, cell phones, and computers. And we fulfill our dietary
needs with both wild and farmed plants and animals.

The use of all these resources is not without consequence. We are very good at utilizing Earth's resources for
our own benefit, sometimes too good in fact! Through various means we have altered, destroyed, and even
reconstructed ecosystems and habitats all over the globe. And since everything on Earth is connected to
everything else, the effects of our actions often go beyond what we initially see.

Global Climate Change

You have probably heard about climate change because this is a hot topic right now for environmentalists,
politicians, business, and even homeowners. There is much scientific evidence showing that Earth's climate is
changing at an unprecedented rate. Global temperatures are rising, storms are becoming more frequent and
intense, the glaciers and polar ice caps are melting, and species extinction rates are on the rise.

While these are all natural processes, much of the change that we are currently observing is due to human
activity. For example, emissions from cars, planes, and power plants put large amounts of greenhouse gases into
the air. When present in the right amounts, greenhouse gases are beneficial because they trap heat under the
atmosphere and keep Earth warm enough to sustain life.

However, in the past century, greenhouse gas emissions have risen to extraordinary levels in the atmosphere.
The problem with this is that the current concentrations are far too high and are trapping too much heat on
Earth. This leads to an overall increase in the temperature of the planet, which affects many other components
of our global climate system. This creates issues for Earth's living organisms because each is adapted to a
certain range of environmental conditions. Climate change isn't just temperature change - it involves
precipitation, drought, atmospheric conditions, and more, and all of these affect the survival of plants and
animals on Earth.

Habitat Loss
The human population continues to grow, but Earth can only hold so many people. There is a finite amount of
available natural resources for our use and only so much land we can inhabit. But there are billions of other
organisms that we need to share these resources and land with as well. We build new homes, cities, and roads to
accommodate the growing number of people living on our planet, all of which require consumption of natural
resources.

Unfortunately, this human alteration of habitats poses the single greatest threat to biodiversity on Earth.
Farming, development, deforestation, mining, and environmental pollutants are extremely destructive to natural
habitats. Roads are often built without consideration to wildlife, and they tend to break or fragment larger
contiguous habitats into smaller disconnected ones.

Aquatic habitats are also at risk. Dams along rivers alter the natural hydrology, which can do great damage to
surrounding wetland and other freshwater ecosystems. Marine habitat loss is on the rise due to increasing
development along coastal areas, and oil spills and ocean cargo accidents create an enormous amount of
dangerous pollution and garbage in our seas.

Overharvesting
Another issue with our use of natural resources is that we consume much more than we actually need. This is
especially true for industrialized nations. This also poses a threat to our natural environment because we harvest
organisms and resources faster than their populations can recover, an issue called overharvesting.

Water Pollution
One of the biggest impacts humans have on aquatic systems is excess nutrient inputs. Nutrients, like nitrogen
and phosphorus, are essential to the health and survival of aquatic plants and animals. However, humans
introduce large quantities of nutrients, primarily through overuse of fertilizers. Too many nutrients can rapidly
reduce water quality by causing overgrowth of certain bacteria and algae that use the oxygen necessary for other
species to survive. Even more problematic is that these nutrients can be transported downstream to other
streams, rivers and bays. Therefore, nutrients can reduce water quality in places far removed from where they
were first introduced.

Air Pollution
The majority of air pollution is the result of human activities. For example, increased fossil fuel combustion
from motor vehicles, industrial factories and power plants all pump large quantities of air pollutants, such as
carbon monoxide, ozone and nitrous oxides, into the atmosphere. Other air pollutants, such as lead-based
compounds, can lead to serious health effects like cancer, or other types of reproductive effects and birth
defects.

Climate Change
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, human activities are largely responsible for an
increase in temperature around the globe, primarily due to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
This increase in temperature is leading to changes in where crops can grow and where certain fish or animals
can be found, all vital for feeding an increasing human population. The rise in global temperatures is also
causing glaciers to melt, releasing water that causes sea levels to rise and threaten coastal communities and
economies that rely on coastal resources.

Solutions
There are several simple things that people can do on a daily basis to minimize their impact on the environment.
For example, taking public transportation, biking or walking instead of driving will reduce carbon dioxide
emissions. Reducing the amount of fertilizer applied to lawns, gardens and vegetables will lessen the likelihood
of water pollution nearby, which is also beneficial for drinking water and human health. Using less energy in
the home can lessen the amount of pollution put into the air by coal burning power plants. Any activity which
reduces water and energy consumption can lead to positive impacts on our environment.
Ever wonder how your tiny carbon footprint really impacts the big picture of climate change? Here’s a list of 10
ways you can join in the fight to reduce our carbon footprint.

1. Get involved
Take a few minutes to contact your political representatives and the media to tell them you want
immediate action on climate change. Remind them that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will also
build healthier communities, spur economic innovation and create new jobs. And next time you’re at the
polls, vote for politicians who support effective climate policies.

Take action now

2. Be energy efficient
You already switch off lights — what’s next? Change light bulbs to compact fluorescents or LEDs.
Unplug computers, TVs and other electronics when not in use. Wash clothes in cold or warm (not hot)
water. Dryers are energy hogs, so hang dry when you can. Install a programmable thermostat. Look for
the Energy Star® label when buying new appliances. And a home energy audit is cheaper than you think
— book one today to find even more ways to save energy.
3. Choose renewable power
Ask your utility to switch your account to clean, renewable power, such as from wind farms. If it doesn’t
offer this option yet, ask it to.
4. Eat wisely
Buy organic and locally grown foods. Avoid processed items. Grow some of your own food. And eat
low on the food chain — at least one meat-free meal a day — since 18 per cent of greenhouse gas
emissions come from meat and dairy production. Food writer Michael Pollan sums it up best: “Eat food.
Not too much. Mostly plants.”
5. Trim your waste
Garbage buried in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Keep stuff out of landfills by
composting kitchen scraps and garden trimmings, and recycling paper, plastic, metal and glass. Let store
managers and manufacturers know you want products with minimal or recyclable packaging.
6. Let polluters pay
Carbon taxes make polluting activities more expensive and green solutions more affordable, allowing
energy-efficient businesses and households to save money. They are one of the most effective ways to
reduce Canada’s climate impact. If your province doesn’t have a carbon tax, ask your premier and MLA
to implement one.
7. Fly less
Air travel leaves behind a huge carbon footprint. Before you book your next airline ticket, consider
greener options such as buses or trains, or try vacationing closer to home. You can also stay in touch
with people by videoconferencing, which saves time as well as travel and accommodation costs.
8. Get informed
Follow the latest news about climate change. Join our community.
9. Green your commute
Transportation causes about 25 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, so walk, cycle or take
transit whenever you can. You’ll save money and get into better shape! If you can’t go car-free, try
carpooling or car sharing, and use the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicle possible.
10. Support and Donate
Many organizations, including the David Suzuki Foundation, are working hard on solutions to climate
change and rely on financial support from citizens like you. Consider making a donation today by
calling 1-800-453-1533 or by visiting our secure website.

Though you might feel like your lifestyle is insignificant compared to things like oil extraction or vehicle
emissions, the choices we make in our day-to-day life — how we get around, what we eat, how we live — play
a major role in slowing climate change.
 49 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth
(The author wishes to thank his wife for suggesting he "get up and do something" to save the earth. This book is
dedicated to her.)

1. TURN OFF THE LIGHTS.

Even if you're only going out of the room for a few minutes. Those kilowatts add up. (My wife groans when I
say it, but, "It makes cents—with a c.")

2. UNPLUG APPLIANCES WHEN NOT IN USE.

Some of them, with their complicated timers and instant start-up features, constantly consume small amounts of
electricity. ("Even the TV?" my wife asks. "Good thinking," I tell her.)

3. SEPARATE YOUR GARBAGE.

At our house we have separate garbage cans for glass, paper, plastic, aluminum, wood, organic matter, natural
fabrics, synthetic fabrics, and rubber. (We split the work—my wife does the separating, I drop everything off at
the recycling center.)

4. USE LESS WATER.

We have two bricks in our toilet tank. But there's a much simpler way to save water: Don't flush every time!
("Don't take the sports section in there with you!" is my wife's tip. A sense of humor is so important.)

5. DON'T MOW THE LAWN.

Let it grow. Naturally. Like a meadow. ("Like a dump!" jokes my wife.)

6. DON'T SHAVE AS OFTEN.

I shave once a week. ("If it's good enough for Don Johnson," I quip. "That was passé years ago," my wife
informs me.)

7. DRIVE SLOWER.

I try to maintain a nice, steady 40 miles per hour, the legal minimum on most highways. Also, I roll up the
windows. It reduces wind resistance -- and noise. ("You can't hear those horns?" my wife asks, incredulous.)

8. SHOP WITH A RE-USABLE SHOPPING BAG.

And, if you can, walk to the store. ("It'll do wonders for your figure," I mention casually to the missus.)

9. BOYCOTT!

Boycott polluters, or anyone who sells any product that can cause pollution, or any product that might contain
an ingredient that can cause pollution. ("What does that leave?" my wife asks. "Just the good stuff," I reply.)

10. DO YOUR LAUNDRY BY HAND.

It may be drudgery of the lowest order to have to hand-launder your clothes and hang them on a clothesline, but
it saves water and energy. ("Whistle while you work," I kid my wife. "Hitler is a jerk," she continues. I'd
forgotten that verse!)

11. TURN DOWN THE HEAT.

Especially the water heater. ("They take cold showers in Sweden," I like to hint. "Go to Sweden!"—my wife.)

12. TAKE FEWER SHOWERS.

But don't share them, even if it's been touted, albeit humorously, in other "x-number-of-simple-things-you-can-
do-to-save-the-earth" books. Why? It uses more water. Figure it out for yourself. Better would be to take a bath
in "recycled" bath water. Best: An occasional sponge bath. ("No, I'm not kidding," I tell the wife.)

13. REPLACE METAL DOORKNOBS.

During the winter, when it's very dry, touch a metal doorknob and you get a little shock from the static
electricity. That's wasted electricity, I figure. We've replaced all our metal doorknobs with ones made of non-
conducting rubber, wood or glass. ("You've got a screw loose," my wife points out. And she's right!)

14. GO SOLAR.

For a small investment of about ten thousand dollars you can convert your house to solar energy. It'll pay for
itself in twenty years, I estimate. ("What next?" my wife wonders, as we all do.)

15. MOUNT A WINDMILL ON YOUR ROOF.

It's cheap—about eight hundred dollars—and easy to install. ("A little more to the right," I yell up to her.)

16. MAKE YOUR OWN HONEY.

In addition to producing delicious honey, our beehive is a real conversation starter. ("We have to talk," my wife
says. See?)

17. WORK AT HOME.

Recently, I quit my job of twenty years to become a full-time writer. I write at home, on a computer. I'm not
using up any gasoline or motor oil, I'm not wearing out any clothing or shoes. To put it simply: I'm not a drain
on the environment. ("You don't move," my wife observes, exaggerating slightly.)

18. BOARD UP THE WINDOWS.

Windows are nice, but they either let in too much heat, or let out too much, or vice versa. ("This is better than
mini-blinds!" I shout to the wife, who can barely hear me over her own hammering.)

19. GET RID OF THE TELEPHONE.

Think you can't live without a telephone? Think again. We've done fine. ("Who would call us?" my wife
rationalizes.)

20. GET RID OF THE BED.

Many leading chiropractors say that sleeping on the floor, with no mattress or cushion, is the best way to sleep.
("We certainly haven't needed a bed much lately," my wife confides to a mutual friend.)

21. GET OUT AND ORGANIZE.

At my wife's suggestion, I got out of the house and into the community—to organize. Now I work with a
diverse group of community activists and we meet four times a week—at our house. ("Who are these people?"
my wife asks. "They are the people," I tell her proudly.)

22. BAN ALL CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS.

Not just spray cans, but the refrigerator and the air conditioner. Get rid of them! We now have ice delivered to
our house every day. ("You're crazy!" my wife shouts from the kitchen. "So was Van Gogh!" I shout back.)

23. TREAT WOUNDS NATURALLY.

If you're injured, cut on the head, above the eyebrow—from a sharp piece of ice, let's say—treat it naturally.
Salt and lemon juice is the combination my wife favors. ("I want a divorce," she says, pouring salt on my
wound. "Ouch!" I say.)

24. KNOW THE LAW.

And know a good lawyer. (My wife does.)

25. WHEN YOU MOVE, BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR.

Having recently relocated to a smaller environment—an apartment—I can empathize with anyone who has had
to go through a "moving experience" as I call it. Remember, along with a new habitat come new co-inhabitants.
Get to know them. They are your neighbors and, as simplistic as this sounds, they are the keys to your survival.
(When I explain this simplistic theory to one of my new neighbors, she's fascinated. Maybe the beard works!)

26. CARPOOL.

At my new part-time job I carpool with a couple of the ladies from the office. We're saving gas, money, and
we're getting to know each other better. ("He used to have a fear of intimacy," my wife tells the judge. On the
advice of Barry, my lawyer, I can say nothing.)

27. MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR.

I know, I know. But, if I could just use one earth-saving tip to draw your attention to the beautiful and cosmic
experience of making love with a truly giving and understanding sexual partner. (Take that, you lying, blood-
sucking witch!)

28. SHARE YOUR SHOWERS.

I've done a complete one-eighty on this one. Use a kitchen timer. (Or Ravel's Bolero!)

29. WOMEN!

Or should I say, women judges! (This just in: She gets the car, the house—everything except the profits from
this book, Dear Reader.)
30. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

When someone (especially someone much younger and less experienced than yourself that you only met two
weeks ago) tells you that one person can't make a difference—that no matter how much shouting and yelling
and "whining and complaining" one person does nothing will change, that "you're too old to be acting that
way," that "you should settle down and focus on one thing and do that well"—when someone lays that trip on
you, it's time to split. ("I can make a difference!" I tell her, gathering my things.)

31. BUNDLE AND RECYCLE NEWSPAPERS.

Sorry, I lost sight of what we're trying to do here, which is save the earth. Take all your old newspapers, bundle
them together, and bring them to a recycling center. They'll give you a few bucks, which is nothing to sneeze at.
(What happened?)

32. BUY A "RECYCLED" CAR.

There are some good deals in used cars—if you take the time to look. (I didn't, and boy am I sorry.)

33. DON'T LITTER THE HIGHWAYS.

Be considerate. There are laws, but they're rarely enforced. (Except in my case, of course. I told the officer I
wasn't living in my car—it had broken down, I was tired—but: A $100 fine for vagrancy, a night in jail, a
towing charge of $75, and a ticket—I'm getting rid of this damn car!)

34. KEEP FIGHTING.

That's right. No matter how tough it gets, the fight to save the earth will go on, with or without you. (Right now
it's without. I'm back to my old habits again—smoking, drinking, and hanging out with a bunch of losers. One
of them is a real nut, calls himself "The Master.")

35. DONATE OLD CLOTHING.

There are people out there who can get some good use out of your old moth-eaten sweater or sports jacket or
worn-out pair of shoes. (I'm a 41 short.)

36. FOLLOW THE MASTER.

The Master has forged an "alliance with the human spirit" that allows him to speak directly and simultaneously
to every living thing on this planet. (Follow The Master.)

37. THINK FOR YOURSELF.

Take it from someone who, after having his self-esteem obliterated by a persuasive con man and his gang of
sycophants, escaped on foot—with nothing to eat for nine days but wild berries and mushrooms—and lived to
talk about it! (You might have seen the story in the papers—"DAZED FOLLOWER OF DIZZY GURU
FOUND ON FREEWAY")

38. HI, HOW ARE YOU?

I knew it was her before I picked up the phone. (The cobwebs that covered the receiver were now sticking to my
face. "Fine," I said.)
39. DON'T BE FOOLED.

A wise consumer is a protected consumer. (I told my ex this when we got together for some Irish coffee at the
mini-mall, near the old house. She ended up selling that barn for—get this—$650,000! "Honey, it seems like
old times!" I whooped.)

40. RECYCLE! REVIVE! RERUN!

Excuse my exuberance, but something is finally happening out there—something positive, something good.
People are separating their garbage. They're using biodegradable, ecologically safe, recyclable and reusable
materials. Everything old is new again! (When my ex-wife and I decided to re-marry, I suggested a "Save the
Earth" clause be added to our pre-nuptial agreement. "We have to talk," she said, showing great interest at the
time.)

41. MOVE TO THE COUNTRY.

Inherit the land again. That's what we did. Bought forty-three acres in Upstate New York. It's a working farm,
where my wife can go out to the barn and milk the cows, pick out the freshest eggs and knit our clothes from the
wool she shears from our very own sheep. (And I can finish this book!)

42. SHARE THIS BOOK.

I want this book to be passed on to those with limited resources. (And limited imaginations! Have you seen any
of these other "x-number-of-things-you-can-do-to-save-the-earth" books? Talk about writing in your sleep!
"You're just jealous," my wife cracks, half-crocked.)

43. MOVE BACK TO THE CITY.

The housing market, like any organism operating within a much larger organism—which we call the ecosphere,
or the biosphere, or the earth—has its variables. We've decided to give the land back to those who really own it
(my in-laws), and live once again at the heart of the ecosphere, the city. ("I'd like to look at separate beds," my
wife tells me and the salesman at Bloomingdale's.)

44. LIFE GOES ON.

And I could go on, ad nauseam, about the proper storage of milk, the use of insects as insecticides, how to
check for impurities in your tap water—but there are bigger problems. (Much bigger.)

45. IT WON'T BE EASY.

Nobody likes the maverick or the visionary. ("The public's had it up to here with those stupid 'x-number-of-
things-you-can-do-to-save-the-earth' books," my wife slurs. "I've had it up to here too," I tell her.)

46. OLD FRIENDS.

Remember Barry? The lawyer? Well, I had occasion to see him again recently and I noticed that he was using a
Montblanc pen, the finest fountain pen in the world. It was inlaid with pearl, real pearl, and gold. I couldn't
control myself, so I asked him, Where can I get one? (Want to know? See below.)

47. BIG SALE, 15-25% OFF.

Right now, if you write to the address on the back cover, you can find out how to get "the finest fountain pen in
the world," the Montblanc, at tremendous savings. And, you'll be buying it—direct—from an officially licensed
Montblanc dealer. (Me! I need some cash—she socked it to me again, Dear Reader.)

48. TURN THE LIGHTS ON.

And flush the toilet. Forget about saving the earth. At least for now. It's time to get your life in order. Grow up.
Focus on one thing and do it and be done with it. ("For once he's acting like an adult," my ex-ex tells a mutual
friend.)

49. WRITE A BOOK.

It's easy! Pick a topic that's currently in vogue (It doesn't have to be the environment!) and write whatever
comes into your head—and write and write and write and write until you can't write anymore. I did. And
somebody bought it—and gave me a six-figure advance on the next one, 49 More Simple Things You Can Do to
Save the Earth, $12.95, paper, due out next March. ("Honey, it seems like old times!" my ex-ex whooped over
the phone. It was good to hear from her.)

Use paper wisely

Reducing the unwanted use of paper is something we all should consider. Trees are the source of beauty and
other benefits to the earth, yet we all know that paper making consumes the beauty of our earth. So let the
paper-use be wise. Even we should take into account, the usage of both sides of paper and hence we can store
them for other productive purposes as well. Reducing the paper usage or making use of both sides of paper will
save the natural resources of earth and preventing the planet from being polluted.

Turn off lights, save energy

A very simple and easy way to save energy is to turn off the extra lights. Just think for a moment while entering
a room or kitchen and turning on ALL the available lights. If you do not need 4-5 separate sources of light, then
turn off the extra ones. Saving the energy and money should be our first priority rather than the feeling of being
in disco. Small changes will lead to big revolutions.
Recycle your Old cell phones
Hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic are some of the unwanted gifts of mobile phones
that are now-a-days one of the main source of garbage. Recycling your mobile phones can solve world’s
growing e-waste problem. Instead of being involved in polluting land, water and atmosphere, your mobile
phone can be recycled by some organizations that will recycle their parts for use in making new products.

Conserve energy, maintain your vehicle

Properly maintained vehicle can play an important role in conservation of energy sources and imparting less
harm to the atmosphere by lowering the emission of poisonous gases. Proper inflated vehicle tires and a clean
trunk will improve the vehicle’s performance. Replacement of oil and air filters regularly should be the duty of
the vehicle users.

Ban the use of plastic bags

Using reusable bags instead of plastic bags will set less harm to our environment. Being non-degradable, the
plastic bags are a great threat as they are the prime cause of the landfills. Moreover extra energy is used in
recycling them is also something we all should think about. Clogging pipes and causing hurdles in drainage
system is what the plastic bags, when disposed, do.

Pay the bills online

Now that’s very tempting ,isn’t it? Paying all your household bills by just one simple click? Yes I know it is,
plus it is very beneficial for our planet because by paying our bills online we are saving paper and thus trees,
and with that luckily we are also saving our time.

Go for a vegetarian diet once a week

The animals whose meat we take as food, are raised on rain forest lands and farms thus many of them are
destroyed every year to feed them. By going vegetarian once in a week not only we can save those forests and
preserve nature but also we can have a good and balanced diet and I don’t think it will hurt you to set aside from
your normal diet once a week. Think about it!

Recycling of Glass
Glass should be recycled because not only it takes a lifetime to decompose but also it makes up a large
component of industrial waste. In Pakistan by recycling glass we can reduce land and water pollution relating to
it and with that we can bring the new glass items into usage and in that way we can kill two birds with one
stone.
Hang Clothes
Yes I know in this modern era where most of the things are just a click away , drying your clothes in the open
air sounds a bit absurd but well , by taking a look at the current situation of power-cuts in our country it just
sounds like a perfect escape,because by hanging your clothes in the open air you can have a nice and clean
wardrobe and with that you would also be helping the planet by saving electricity.