According to the Global Risks Report 2019 released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Environmental risks dominate the global risks landscape in terms of impact and likelihood for the third year in a row. This includes extreme weather events and failure of climate mitigation and adaptation. IPCC released a “special report” on the actions the world needs to take to prevent global average temperatures from rising beyond 1.5°C as compared to pre-industrial times. Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees would require rapid, far reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, the IPCC said

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Green practices means pursuing knowledge and practices that can lead to more environment friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations. Being eco-friendly or environment friendly is becoming more and more important.

Ways and methods of Green practices:

To reduce waste:

• Go online to find new or gently-used second-hand products.
• Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.
• Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
• Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbours while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.
• Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
• Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
• 3R’s of Waste Hierarchy: The 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) waste hierarchy is the order of priority of actions to be taken to reduce the amount of waste generated and to improve overall waste management processes and programs.
• Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.

To conserve resources, improve air and water quality and protect ecosystems:

• Use less Fossil Fuel Based Products: Find out what products and consumables you use that are made using fossil fuel based products and processes and use them less or replace them in your life.
• Use of alternative sources of power such as solar and wind energy: These alternative sources of energy are bio friendly particular because they do not produce harmful gases that damage the ozone layer. They are also cheap to use, not easily depleted and are renewable.
• Conserve Water: Water needs to be conserved as lot of energy is required to pump water from rivers or lakes into your home. Conserving water reduces the amount of energy that is needed to filter it. Few ways to conserve water are – take short showers, fix leaking pipes, keep the running tap close while you brush your teeth, recycle water in your home, use water saving appliances, collect rainwater in a rain barrel to water your lawn.
• Plant Trees to prevent soil erosion: Trees are necessary for us to survive. They give oxygen, fruits, clean the air, provide shelter to wildlife, and prevent soil erosion. Trees and vegetation are essential in the maintenance of the ecosystem. They also act as home for most insects, birds and some symbiotic plants. This creates a habitat for wildlife therefore conserving wildlife altogether.
• Reduce Use of Harmful Chemicals: Hazardous chemicals like paint, oil, ammonia and other chemical solutions when disposed openly, can cause pollution in the air and water as these chemicals can seep into the groundwater. The polluted air and water can have serious consequences on human health. They should be disposed off to a toxic waste site for safe disposal.
• Protect Wildlife: Human activity is leading to extinction of endangered species and habitats. Protect places like beaches and forests that are habitats for animals. Join hands with local forest department to protect animal habitat.
• Practice Conservation: With your new awareness of how natural resources are used in your life start to practice conservation. This can be as simple as turning off the lights as you leave a room and as complex as making different choices when it comes to building your home.
• Educate Others: Educate others about the importance of living an environmentally friendly life. The more people share an awareness of the importance of the environment, the more we can do together to conserve it.

Conclusion:

Eco-friendly products promote green living that helps conserve energy and also prevent air, water and noise pollution. They prove to be boons for the environment and also prevent human health from deterioration. Global cooperation supported at national and local levels can help forward the cause of nature.