MOST PEOPLE ARE OVERWHELMED BY THE PROSPECT OF LIVING SUSTAINABLY, HOW CAN THEY MAKE A START?

The first thing you should do is to look around you. What can you see
that you can improve around the house or in your work place? Are there
opportunities for saving energy, resources, raw material and reducing
waste? Most people think that they have to make big changes that would
impede their quality of life, but you can start by:
1)Installing energy efficient lighting which has day light or
movement sensors.
2)Installing water saving devices and water recovery
systems.
3)Regularly checking for leaks in your taps, pipes,
hoses and tanks and fixing them immediately
4)Reducing the use of household chemicals, by buying
less, using less and looking for safer alternatives.
5)Using non toxic ways to repel pests in your garden.
6)Not pouring unwanted chemicals and oils into drains,
toilets or where they may end up in our waterways.
7)Disposing of old cellphones and their batteries
through a recycling program.
8)Making use of car pooling to reduce emissions and
congestion.
9)Taking public transport, walking or cycling.
10)Minimizing car emissions by buying a fuel efficient
car, removing unnecessary weight, keeping the tyres pumped and driving
smoothly
11)Planting more trees, or creating a vegetable garden,
more plants means cleaner air and a reduced need to buy pre packaged
food.
12)Separating your household waste, and recycling
newspaper, bottles, cans and plastics and using food waste to make your
own compost heap.
These are just a few examples I am sure you can find many other ways to
adjust your lifestyle, preserving the environment is our responsibility
and we should start today.

Ilse Kotzee
Student # 2456349
2456349@uwc.ac.za