Yuletide gift for Mother Earth
Christmas is a time for giving. This Yuletide season, let us not forget to give to the one that nurtures all living things on earth: Mother Nature.
Mother Nature does not expect to get a beautifully wrapped, expensive gift. All she wants is some TLC—tender loving care—so she can continue to support us and ensure our survival in the only home we have.
Helping destroy finite resources and contributing to the tons of garbage that accumulate every day are not showing goodwill to our fellow human beings and kindness to our planet and all its inhabitants.
Let us have a green, ecofriendly holiday season by doing more with less. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) suggests the following: •
Buy local products and crafts. Imported goods consume a lot of energy to reach us. Patronizing local products also boosts the local economy. Support native handicrafts that use sustainably sourced materials. •
Bring reusable bags when shopping. About 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year, most of which end up in landfills. •
Use energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diodes) Christmas lights that are up to 90 percent more efficient than tungsten bulbs. LED lights are safer and last longer. Use automated timers that will turn off the lights after you go to bed. •
Make your own personalized Christmas cards. About 2 billion Christmas cards are wasted every December. Recycle books, magazines or packaging to make your cards. •
Use recycled decor. Old jars, gifts and gizmos can be converted into nice Christmas decorations. •
Buy only what you will use. Every year, 1.3 billion tons of plastic cups are thrown away. If you are hosting a party, politely ask your guests to minimize leftovers. •
Set your air-conditioner’s thermostat a bit higher. The ideal temperature range for homes and offices is 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. At home— unless you live in a highly polluted area or in a neighborhood where you are at risk of being victimized by akyat-bahay gangs—open your windows to let in fresh air. •
Recycle last year’s wrapping paper for this year’s gifts. Printed paper wrappers comprise one of the largest Christmas wastes. Old boxes, ribbons and strings can be repurposed to minimize waste. •
Reuse old props for parties. Bring out old decor and leftover trimmings. A little glitter and paint can go a long way.
WWF estimates that humanity is currently using the resources of 1.6 planets. Many of Earth’s resources are no longer naturally replenished.
The global population is expected to breach 9 billion by 2050, so every little thing we do today for the environment will help sustain life on this planet.
WWF reminds us that we have a duty to protect Mother Earth. Get more tips on reducing your carbon footprint by visiting the WWF website. Join the# WW F Christmas Panda contest.
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Merry Christmas! Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; e-mail lbolido@inquirer.com.ph