|
|
|
30 Ways to Cleaner Air
From WikiVerde
Clean Air
clean air ride
Clean air today comes at a premium. For that matter, we can safely say that the chances of your breathing in pristine, pure, and healthy air are minimal at best. In the cities or larger towns, your chances are close to nil. Impure air is one of the primary reasons for a host of health problems that plague the world. Things will only get worse, until and unless something is done about it. The onus of minimizing air pollution also rests with us as individuals. Given below are 30 simple ways to cleaner air.
1. Minimize the Use of Vehicles
We have got into the habit of using vehicles for the most minimal of distances. Use a bike or just walk to your nearby post office or store. Don’t use a car.
2. Errands
Combine errands in one car trip. This would lead to efficiency of engine usage.
3. If you Drive, Do it Smartly
What this essentially means is that you must focus on the speed limit, your car tires must be properly inflated, gradually accelerate your vehicle, and support various programs like smog check etc.
4. Public Transportation
This is an associated point from the one above. To minimize the use of gas and diesel four-wheelers on the road, form a habit of using the public transportation systems.
5. Plant Trees
The more the trees, the more your chances of breathing in fresh air, with more oxygen!
6. Be Aware
There are various resources that will offer information about air pollution and the ways and means to minimize. Educate yourself.
7. Air pollution and Health
You will show more concern about air pollution if you are aware of its consequence on your health. Gather information from sources such as the Internet, newspapers and television.
8. Conserve Energy
Burning of fuels, both renewable and non-renewable, leads to air pollution. So, restrict your use of energy and use it only when necessary.
9. Save Electricity
When, you leave a room, be sure to turn the lights off. It's things like these that will purify the air in the long run. Moreover, try and use fluorescent lighting and insulate your home.
10. Cold Water Vs. Hot Water
Increasing your use of cold water for bathing purposes (whenever you can) or for other purposes, will go a long way in the consumption of less energy.
11. Maximize Fans, Minimize Air Conditioners
Fans consume less electricity then air conditioners or air coolers; use them instead on hot days.
12. Reuse
Reuse as many items as you can. This would mean that you buy a lesser number of new items. You will be contributing to a decrease in production.
13. Recycling
Recycling is one of the better ways of controlling air pollution. The release of various chemicals is decreased substantially if products are recycled.
14. Purchase Recycled Products
Complete the recyling cycle by buying products that have already been recycled or made from 100% recycled/reused materials.
15. Don’t Smoke
Everyone knows about the harmful effects of smoking. People still choose to indulge in it. Avoid smoking at all costs and your personal air-space will be much cleaner.
16. Avoid Aerosols
Propellants, especially used in their aerosol form, cause unmitigated pollution. So don’t buy or use such products when possible.
17. Safe Products
There are some products that we might use in our daily routine that harm the air in an irrepairable manner, such as harsh cleaners. In place of these you can choose less harmful cleaning products like baking soda and white vinegar.
18. Avoid Dangerous Chemicals
There are quite a number of products like glues, paints, and cleaning agents, which should only be used in areas that have proper ventilation, preferably out of doors. It is best to avoid these altogether.
19. Maintenance
Keep all your electrical and gas appliances such as water heaters and furnaces regularly maintained.
20. Remove Dust
Clean your house regularly to remove harmful elements like dust, which can lead to allergies or more serious health concerns.
21. Minimize use of Unsafe Products
Always select products that have water based content or the lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds.
22. Store Solvents Carefully
Use air-tight containers to store all solvents.
23. Push Lawn Mowers
Use a lawn mower that can be used by simple pushing instead of a gas-powered mower.
24. Barbecue Smartly
If you have a barbeque in your garden or yard, then be sure to start the briquettes using an electric probe. Another alternative to consider is a barbecue that uses natural gas or propane. Avoid using pre-soaked briquettes or heavy amounts of lighter fluid.
25. Be Aware of Bad-air Days
Avoid strenuous physical activity if you know the day has a large count of unhealthy particulates in the air. Ozone and smog are serious health concerns on hot and humid summer days.
26. Unhealthy Air and Fireplaces
Don’t stoke or use your fireplace or stove on a day of unhealthy air.
27. Gardening Organically
Organic gardening is best suited for cleaner air.
28. Support Clean Air Legislation
It’s just not enough that you read about how to go about cleaning air pollution. You must actively support the various endeavors in this regard.
29. Don’t Tire of Your Efforts
Pollutants have made a mess of the air we breathe over a number of years. Therefore, it’s going to take tireless and sustained efforts to free air of the pollutants. It might not happen in your lifetime, but this does not mean that you can give up. Try to make a difference for the future generations.
30. Make Others Aware
Get other people into the act as well. You must also awaken others as to the importance of minimizing air pollution.
These are just some of the ways to cleaner air. Clean air is a prerequisite if one is to have a healthy and happy life. Today, we see a whole lot of people around us suffering from various health-related problems. Such incidences are increasing day by day. The mortality rate is growing higher. All this can be curbed only if we breathe in clean air. It will not only be advantageous for humans but for the environment in general.
Sources
http://www.hcdoes.org/airquality/Outreach/50%20Ways%20to%20Clean%20the%20Air.htm
