| energy and the overall environment is a topic that | | | | Recycling paper is the very first step in limiting paper |
| has gained public attention more recently. People are | | | | (and trees) waste. I have personally contacted all the |
| realizing that at the rate we are using earth’s | | | | magazines with which I am not subscribed and asked |
| valuable resources, we will face serious shortage in a | | | | them to send me these hundreds of paper I did not |
| near future. | | | | read and wasted. It took time and patience but |
| Water is the first resource we have been wasting in | | | | eventually, I evaluate I must have saved an entire |
| the past. We have to be aware that everyday, | | | | small forest by that little step alone. |
| people worldwide are dying from lack of drinkable | | | | Writing on both sides of paper is also a very good |
| water. Yet, in our “civilized” countries, we let | | | | way to diminish one’s consumption of paper |
| purified water go to waste in many ways daily. | | | | and thus limiting deforestation. |
| Small steps a person can take to limit her | | | | Quality air is also a resource we have wasted to the |
| consumption of water is: only wash the dishes or do | | | | worst degree. By overusing cars and toxic emissions |
| the laundry when there is a full load to be done, do | | | | which affected the ozone layers, we have wasted |
| not let tap water run for long periods while brushing | | | | our most valuable resource: the air we breathe. Small |
| one’s teeth. Other obvious drinkable water | | | | steps that can be taken are exactly this: taking small |
| savings would be not to use sprinklers on rainy days | | | | steps instead of using the car for any small trip to |
| or using a broom to sweep one’s carport | | | | the corner store. In taking such action as walking to |
| instead of the garden hose. | | | | get to near places, a person will also gain physical |
| Another valuable earth’s resource we have | | | | benefits and enjoy a better health condition. |
| been wasting is electricity. Again, in many developing | | | | Saving oxygen and the quality of the air that we |
| countries, electricity could save hundreds of lives. | | | | breathe also means taking a strong stand and |
| Yet, we are openly wasting this valuable resource in | | | | pressuring governments in place to adopt and apply |
| western countries. Small steps that can be taken to | | | | strict rules and regulations to limit pollution and toxic |
| limit the quantity of electricity consumed daily are: | | | | gas emissions. |
| close all lights that are not being used, do not put the | | | | Another valuable resource that we have been |
| air conditioning on (or a heating system) if windows | | | | shamefully wasting is the wildlife. Many animals are |
| are opened, wash clothes that do not require special | | | | now on the endangered species list or, worst, have |
| care with cold water instead of hot water. | | | | disappeared because of man’s careless |
| Forests and trees have also been overused by man | | | | actions. |
| and wasted in more ways than can be counted. | | | | |