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Start Now: How You Can Help

(SOME EASY TIPS FOR YOU TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT)

Each and every one of us can contribute to making our environment healthier. Any effort – big or small – will make a difference, so let's start now.

Here are some ways in which we can work towards a more a sustainable lifestyle (learn more about what that means):

CONSERVE ENERGY

Did you know that UAE has one of the highest per capita commercial energy consumption rates in the world? Let's help reduce that!

• Switch off lights during the day, and in rooms not being used.
• Before you travel, unplug your TV, VCR or other electronics that use electricity even when "off." Infact, switch them off before going to bed everyday!
• Use a programmable thermostat that automatically turns off your home or office air conditioner or heater when you don't need them.
• Have your gas appliances and heater regularly inspected and maintained so they don't burn energy unnecessarily.
• Look for Energy-Efficient appliances and bulbs – they cost less in the long run and help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Did you know that when you change one traditional lightbulb to a compact florescent(cfl) bulb you stop 500 tons of coal from being burnt each year!

SAVE WATER

• Don't keep taps running while cooking or washing dishes
• Don't keep the tap running when brushing your teeth
• Sweep your driveway instead of hosing it down
• Use a bucket of water instead of a hose to wash your car.
• Have a shower bath instead of filling up a tub bath.
• Dispose Carefully: don't throw trash, paint and other harmful chemicals into drains or flush them out – that pollutes our water supplies. Chemicals from computers and printer catridges that are thrown in the dumps eventually find their way into the ground watertable polluting the water. Dispose of them separately and carefully.

In Australia, many people have coped with their water shortage by switching to 3 minute baths.

REDUCE WASTE

• Use Less Plastic: Instead of using plastic bags or bottles, try using reusable/cloth/jute bags or glass bottles.
  
  
  • Re-use plastic bags
  • Take your own reusable shopping bag instead of using the shop's plastic bags
  
  
• Save paper: the more paper we use, the more trees we cut down!
  
  
  • Use handkerchiefs instead of tissues
  • Use cloth rags to clean up spills rather than using paper towels.
  • Always print on both sides of paper and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
    
    
• Recycle: You can also cut energy use thus reducing air pollution by using recycled products, and by recycling paper, plastic and metals that we consume. To know more about Recycling click: www.greenstudentu.com/recycling.aspx.
  
  
  • You can recycle your mobile phone (see http://www.envirofone.ae) and even your computers (see http://www.pcrecycle.ae.)
  • Recycling in the UAE – You can easily recycle paper, glass and aluminum at select Spinneys outlets or at Emarat recycling systems at their service stations. If you are a large corporation you can even set up your own recycling center for a fee, check with the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) at 04-3318100 or log on to www.eeg-uae.org . In Dubai, check with the municipality waste services at 04 2064231.

PLANT MORE TREES

Plant more trees, shrubs and add more potted plants around your home and offices for a healthy environment. When planting trees or potting your plants:

• Use Compost: composting is a very good way to feed your plants and make sure they have all the necessary nutrients to grow, while responsibly recycling some waste from your home.
  • Compost is easy to make -- start by using any old vegetables and fruits, tea bags, cartons, newspaper, leaves, sawdust, or manure. Mix this into the earth of your garden and see your plants bloom happily!
    
    

• Use only non toxic material: Fertilizers are essential for your plants and flowers, but almost all commercial insecticides in the market today harm the environment as they contain toxic chemicals. Buying a no-phosphorus fertilizer is a first step towards achieving a healthy and safe landscape.
  
  
• Go organic: organic food use 40% less energy to grow and helps keep the soil fertile for the future and does not turn good soil to bad. Infact, organic farming can turn desert soil fertile.
  
  

REDUCE POLLUTION

• Keep the car tuned - replace the car's air filter and keep your tires properly inflated. Also, while looking for a car, look for the most efficient, lowest polluting model. (To know more about Green Cars see: www.greenstudentu.com/green_vehicle_guide.aspx )
• Reduce air pollution by driving a little less. Driving less doesn't mean you have to stay home, you can
  
  
  • Try combining driving with other ways of getting where you want to go e.g. carpool, walk or ride a bike
  • shop by phone or mail
  • ride public transport
  • combine errands in one trip
  • telecommute
  
  
• Go natural, not chemical: Many products we use in our home or at the office are made with smog-forming or toxic chemicals. They can be easily avoided by using water-based products or natural products. For example, use baking soda or lemons instead of chemical household cleaners. We can also reduce pollution by using electric lawn mowers or by starting barbecue briquettes with an electric probe.
  
  
• Protect the Ozone Layer: Use ozone friendly aerosols. For washing at home, try to use phosphate free detergents.
  
  
• Don't smoke.