Thinking of ways to save Mother Earth? It's high time we do, as the planet we live on is suffering. We are extracting all it has - oil, ores, water and more. We are cutting down trees, we are killing animals, we are exploiting nature. Earth's resources are depleting, posing a threat to human existence on the planet. It's time we do something to save the planet. Let's resort to simple ways to save the environment. Here they are.

We talk about saving our environment and how important it is to conserve natural resources. We read about the importance of a healthy environment to survive. Environmental education has made us realize the need to preserve natural wealth. But just knowing and talking doesn't help. When was the last time you did something towards protecting the environment? Forget doing, when was the last time you even felt like doing something to save nature? We know about the need to save the environment and we often talk about it. But most of us only talk. A very few of us actually do something. Let's resolve to work towards saving the environment - even a small step counts.

When we think about doing something to save the environment, we think of the depleting natural resources, we think of environmental pollution, deforestation, endangered plant and animal species and we wonder how to contribute to saving nature. We think of these as very big problems and solving them, we think, is beyond our capacity. Big problems - yes, they are. But thinking it's impossible to solve them is where we go wrong. We hardly bother to do anything in that regard. There are so many simple ways to save the environment. We just don't pay attention to them. We just don't think we can do anything or that we should.

EASY WAYS TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT :-

• Plant more trees-
  This is easy, you know? Choose an open area/ground near your residence or workplace. Unless there's any law restricting you from growing trees in that area, go ahead, grow trees. Plant a tree every month, encourage your friends and colleagues to join you. Have more and more trees planted and there will come a day when you have a green stretch of land, thanks to your effort.

• Walk more drive less-
  Now that's not very difficult, is it? Choose to walk short distances instead of taking your car every time. Go walking to the gym, to work (if it's not very far), go walking to run errands. Or use a bicycle. Both cycling and walking are good exercises. And each time you avoid using your car, you are contributing to reducing air pollution. You are saving fuel, saving money and getting a good workout too. Now isn't that beneficial for both you and the environment?

• Maintain your vehicle
  Maintain your vehicles in good condition. It may not be possible to go cycling or walking everywhere. To some distances, there's no other option but your car. But how about at least maintaining it in good condition? Give your car a regular servicing. Clean the exhaust pipes. Check for pollutants emitted. Check air pressure in tires as under-inflated tires lead to greater fuel consumption. Maintain the air filter and fuel injection pump in good condition. Check engine oil levels regularly. Consider getting a catalytic converter fitted in your vehicle. This way you are curbing air pollution.

• Change the way you drive-
  Do not drive in low gear. It consumes more fuel that way. Do not accelerate and brake very often. More fuel is exhausted this way. When you stop at a signal, turn the ignition off. Take the shortest route to the venue, you are saving fuel and thereby reducing air pollution this way. Share a car whenever possible. Four people going to the same place at the same time, in four different cars - doesn't make sense. Pool a car whenever you can. Don't honk when it's not necessary to. You are adding to noise pollution that way.

• Save water-
  Water is a very important natural resource. It's we who waste it, pollute it. The simplest ways to save water - turn off the water taps after use. Use of flushes and showers can lead to wastage of water. Use only as much water as necessary. Do not dump garbage down a storm drain. When you visit a beach, see that you don't spill food or dump waste around. Do not pollute rivers by dumping garbage, sewage or other waste material in them. This pollutes water bodies. There are laws prohibiting you from doing this. But then it has to come from within - the awareness and the awakening. Water is so precious, we can't waste or pollute it.

This is one way in which anyone of us can help save the environment. Read up and encourage those around you to read about the importance of saving nature. Put up posters or banners in the neighborhood, in your school, college or place of work. Organize an environmental awareness campaign. Get t-shirts or caps made with environmental awareness slogans written. Have everyone in your locality, class, school or workplace wear them and spread the word. These things help create an awakening in the masses about how grave environmental problems are and what we can do to solve them. Organize small activities like planting trees, cleaning an area in the locality, visiting an animal shelter or volunteer for an organization which works towards creating environmental awareness. Seek prior permission from concerned authorities for doing any of these things.

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