Mar30

Celebrate Ecofriendly Easter!

Easter is here and so are the alarm bells that doom is inching closer!

What to do, what to do? Hey, here’s an idea! How about celebrating a very ecofriendly Easter this time? Contrary to the very popular belief, ecofriendly can also insinuate fun. You don’t have to actually compromise on fun to do good to the environment, you know. How do you go ecofriendly without letting go off the fun then? It is easy!

Think about the most important component of Easter: Easter baskets! They are usually wasteful and you can change that this year. How? Read on:

Ecofriendly Easter Basket

Ecofriendly Easter Basket

The Basket Itself

Do you really have to buy a new Easter basket each year? You’ll only use it for that one day and then throw it away. Why waste money and contribute to environment pollution each year? Simply, use the same basket every year! If you want to buy a new basket, make sure you recycle the old one. You can even make ecofriendly baskets at home using fabric bags, felt bags, and shoe boxes. Let your imagination loose!

Easter Grass

Plastic Easter grass is an absolute waste. The sad part is that it can’t even be recycled and the packaging is also wasteful. Why not replace plastic grass with ecofriendly grass this time? Use shredded magazine pages and newspaper instead. If the basket is for someone younger, you could use a nicely colored blanket too. Spanish moss is another option.

Chocolate

Easter chocolate is a must in every Easter basket. You should buy fair trade organic chocolate this time. There are numerous fair trade brands that sell chocolates with the Easter theme. There are also organic lollipops for you to buy. If you can’t find them in the local stores, look over the Internet for options.

Toys

Make your own toys! Get artistic and involve your kids to make beautiful toys such as handmade necklaces, wooden toys, wooden Easter eggs and so on. If you can’t make them on your own, go for fair trade organic and handmade toys!

See? You don’t need to compromise at any step and the result will be beautiful! You will have a very Happy and Joyous Easter while subtly doing your bit for the environment.

Think about it.

 

 

Posted by kritikaponia in Blog

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Jan27

The World Did Not End But it is Threatening to

December 21, 2012 was anticipated to bring the end of the world but fortunately or unfortunately, the Mayan Calendar proved to be wrong.

The question remains where it is, though. Has the worse passed or is it fast approaching? Environmentalists have been yelling warnings from rooftops that if we don’t act fast, the world will indeed reach the end very soon.

But do we care? The answer is a single-syllabled ‘no’.

Most are under the impression that if a thousand year old prediction didn’t kill us, nothing else will. Oh, how shallow we are! Each and every one of us is writing the future of life and sadly, it is tenebrous. We are the cruelest creatures on Planet Earth and not only are we destroying the habitat of other animals and pushing them into extinction, we are also obliterating our own lives at a pretty fast pace.

The World Did Not End But it is Threatening to

Through pollution we are beckoning our end closer and because of us, poor animals have to suffer endlessly due to the fact that our doings [deforestation and pollution] are resulting in the end of their habitat and ultimately causing a lot of imbalance in the ecosystem. Globalization actually seems to have done more harm than good for us. It has led to acid rains, terrible air pollution, water pollution, ozone depletion, soil pollution, overpopulation, and the dreadful global warming.

Not many actually realize but every year, one in five people dies because of at least one of these environment issues. Most of these issues are a result of inappropriate use of resources and energy. Thankfully though, we can actually solve these issues. To begin with, we should dial down the consumption of natural resources and make sure we cut down pollution from its prime. It can indeed be done.

The solution to all these problems is recycling.

Know that a number of products can be recycled with ease. By recycling we can actually bring down the environmental strain that we are facing today. Besides paper and plastic, you can recycle cell phones and other electronic devices too. By doing so, you will also reduce the need to cut down trees.

Along with recycling, we should start reusing materials of plant origin so that the need to exploit natural resources goes down considerably.

We created the problem and we know the solution to it. All we have to do now is implement the solution and save ourselves before it is too late. [It already IS late by the way.]

Posted by kritikaponia in Blog

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Jan14

Organic Foods vs. Natural Foods

The terms organic and natural are being used interchangeably these days. However, they are not the same. There is significant difference between the word “organic” and the word “natural” and it is important to be aware of this so that you shop right. If you actually take the time out and check their definitions, you will be clear about the differences.

Organic

Organic Foods: Organic foods are those that are manufactured and processed by organic means. Yes, they are processed too but the processing does not involve chemicals or anything that is even remotely harmful.

Natural

Natural Foods: These foods are NOT manufactured and processed at all. They are not altered in any way and are sold just as they exist – in their very natural form. Sometimes, they may be processed by the processing is highly minimal.

If you buy organic foods, you are actually buying foods that are processed but by organic means with no use of fertilizers and other chemicals. If you are buying natural foods you are buying foods in their natural state.

Because of the fact that many people do not know the difference, they pick organic foods and think they are having natural foods. Those who know the difference have a difference of opinion. While some feel safer buying natural foods, with no processing involved at all, others feel safer knowing that the organic foods have no chemicals in them at all.

Coming to health benefits, no one has proven that organic foods are better. It is all about perception. However, one must note that organic milk has been shown to bestow a number of great health benefits on the consumer. This has attracted people towards organic foods.

If you compare the shelf life of these foods, you will see that organic foods have comparatively more shelf life than natural foods because of the obvious reason that the prior is processed.

While you can find organic foods with ease these days, natural foods are sold in a few special stores only. Both types are more expensive than conventional foods and are healthier.

So, it boils down to you as the consumer to choose between the two types of foods.

Posted by kritikaponia in Blog

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Dec22

Cellular and E-Waste Recycling

Where do your old newspapers go? To the ‘raddi wala’ so that they get recycled, right? Where do your old cell phones go? In the bottom drawer, which no one ever opens. Have you every thought of recycling them? What about old batteries and your old television set that no longer works and won’t even sell for a few bucks? Instead of dumping all these things in the attic or in a drawer, it is highly advisable that you make sure they get recycled too.

Recycling mainly involves dismantling. All the parts of the device are first separated. They are then separated into ferrous and non-ferrous components. The printed circuit board is also kept aside. Copper, gold, and lead are removed using strong acids. Appropriate technologies are being used these days as opposed to the poor, old ones thanks to which, the recycling is actually very efficient.

A lot of energy and time goes into making electronics. The raw materials used are expensive and instead of just throwing these into landfills, it is ideal to recycle the electronics so that the energy and raw materials used are reused. Dumping cell phones and electronics into landfills is very harmful for the earth. This is because the harmful components contained in these devices seep out after a period of time and enter the soil, thereby causing a lot of harm to plants, animals, and also polluting water. Aren’t we harming our natural resources enough already?

Along with environmental hazards, electronic waste can also cause health hazards. As aforesaid, they are made up of a number of chemicals, some of which can be very toxic. When these seep into the soil and enter plants, they not just affect the plant but also the fruit. If you consume such contaminated foods, you will be subjected to a number of health problems.

Our natural resources are very limited and by recycling cell phones and e-waste, we are actually doing our part to preserve some of our natural resources. The manufacturing of cell phones and electronics requires a number of natural resources and when you recycle them you are saving at least little. This little accounts to a very significant amount in the big picture.

These are just a few of the many reasons why recycling is a must. Call it lack of awareness or simply carelessness but not many even bother about it today. There are several NGOs and schools that are making an effort to make people realize its importance.

Wake up, it is high time!

Posted by kritikaponia in Blog

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Oct29

The Ozone Layer

Heard of it a million times, haven’t you? You must have also heard of how it protects you from the harmful ultra violet radiations emitted by the sun. Sadly though, the ozone layer is being depleted at a rate of 4% per decade. The chemicals responsible for this are known as ozone-depleting substances or ODS. Methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, chlorofluorocarbons [CFCs], halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons [HCFCs] are some of the ODS.

The reason why they are popular is that these are stable and non-toxic as long as they are in the atmosphere. However, their stability causes them to rise and reach the stratosphere, where they are split into bromine and chlorine. These two substances are responsible for demolishing the ozone layer. Their stability also implies that they will stay in the stratosphere for many decades to come. This means that what is being emitted now will have a negative effect on the ozone layer for almost an entire century! Alarming, isn’t it?

How can you help, you must be wondering. Oh there are lots of ways. Do you know that refrigerators and air conditioners use CFCs? Don’t recharge them. This step will contribute to the environment. If you are buying a portable fire extinguisher, make sure it is free of halons. If you have an old vehicle, have it serviced. Old vehicles have CFCs while the newer models [1995 and later] are CFC free.

Why should you help, you must be wondering now. “Okay, so UV rays will penetrate through the layer into the atmosphere. I can see no harm yet. I can move out in the sun anytime without feeling a thing.” If this is your train of thought, CHANGE IT IMMEDIATELY. Sure you don’t feel a thing but every minute you spend exposed to the sun adds on. These minutes will cost you too much in the future because UV radiations are capable of causing not just rashes and itching sensation but deadly cancer. These radiations can also cause blindness, cataracts, and other eye problems. Wait there’s more, – they can also weaken your immune system.

Mind you, you aren’t the only one affected. UV radiations affect animals, marine creatures, and even materials such as wood, fabrics, rubber, and plastic.

On your part, you should make sure you follow the aforementioned steps and take precautions such as avoiding the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., using sunscreen which protects from both UV A and UV B radiations, using sunscreen even during the winter season [honestly, just because it is cold, doesn’t mean the sun is not shining!], and saying no to tanning [there is nothing called ‘healthy’ tan] in order to steer clear of the harmful effects of the ultra violet radiations.

Be aware. Stay safe!

Posted by kritikaponia in Blog

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Sep10

Solar Panels: Yes or No?

Solar energy. Solar panels.

We have all heard about it but I am not sure all of us actually comprehend it. You may have studied or read somewhere that solar projects are being taken up to save energy. Never tried to grope further now, have you?

Well speaking about it in simple words, solar energy refers to the sunlight or radiant energy that is used to fulfill the power requirements of your house. Sunlight is both, a source of light energy and heat energy. This energy is used instead of other sources of energy. But why take the pains and have solar panels installed when you have steady supply of energy in your house? Interesting question. We don’t do anything unless it has a big list of benefits for us now, do we? Expecting only benefits is stupidity. Comparing and making sure the pros overshadow the cons is wise.

Firstly, solar energy is unlimited. Install the panels once and forget about the power supply problems until the sun ceases to shine. [After that you won’t need energy at all anyway seeing the no one will survive after that happens.] Secondly, solar panels make sure you have free energy supply. Oh yeah, I can feel that sharp intake of breath and those widened eyes. Funny how words like ‘unlimited’ and ‘free’ can grasp attention, isn’t it? And when they are used in the same sentence, it is magic! Anyway, yes. It is true. Solar energy is both unlimited and free.

Let me rephrase the cost bit quickly before those of you know that installation charges are high thinking about suing me for spreading false information. Well, installing the panels will of course cost you considerably but once you take care of the initial charges, you can forget about having to spend even a penny on energy and power after that. I’d much rather get rid of all the costs initially and lead a peaceful life after that, wouldn’t you? I am sure you would. Think about living a life sans hefty electric bills each month. Wonderful, yeah? You will save a very significant amount of money over time and the money you spent initially will easily be redeemed.

Another benefit [and the most important and yet the most neglected] is that solar energy is 100% green! In other words, there is absolutely no pollution with solar energy and you can thus do your significant bit for the environment. Well, you can concentrate on the two big benefits aforementioned if saving the environment doesn’t interest you. This benefit will come as a gift for those of us who actually are worried.

There are only two downsides to solar panel installation. You will need a backup source for night times because duh, the sun doesn’t shine at night! But that much will definitely not make a difference because consumption of power will be very less anyway. Pollution affects the efficiency of solar panels but now, whose fault is pollution?

Posted by kritikaponia in Blog

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Jul27

CFL your way to a Brighter Tomorrow

CFL. I am sure you have heard the name about a gazillion times by now with companies boasting off about selling the most economical CFL bulbs and environment activists yelling at you to ‘USE CFL BULBS IF YOU WANT A BRIGHTER TOMORROW’ or more accurately, if you want a tomorrow with electricity at all.

We all live in luxurious homes with 24 hour electricity and 24 hour water supplies. This is why we don’t realize the importance of these sources. Did you know that what you waste without thinking twice is actually very expensive? I have already jumped down your throat for water and yes, I am doing it again and this time it is for electricity. Electricity is VERY expensive. Oh, don’t be shocked. Electricity is not made from thin air you know. It does not ‘naturally exist’ either! [I mentioned that because I heard a certain XYZ say that. Height of ignorance?]

Now you will ask me why I am talking about how expensive electricity is here when I should really be talking about CFL bulbs. I’ll fix a Basilisk’s glare at you first and only then answer your question. The whole point of using CFL bulbs is to cut down the use of electricity. Companies don’t advertise for money and personal gain [or maybe they do] when they say that CFL bulbs use 5 times lesser energy than the bulbs [incandescent] you use.

Saving electricity and helping the environment is surely not incentive enough for you to switch to CFL bulbs. You will not do anything unless you see personal gain in it, I am sure. [Saving electricity is also a VERY personal gain but eh, we want immediate profits, don’t we?]

What if I told you that buying CFL bulbs will save you some money? [Eyes up and wide open now, aren’t they?] Read on, read on.

CFL bulbs may cost more than incandescent bulbs but within 5 months, you will be redeemed through lower electricity bills and from the sixth month, you will be saving! A lower bill means less usage and that means energy saving. Indirectly, you are saving the environment! But I am sure only the first part interests you. As long as you are driven into using CFL bulbs though, we have no issues!

Another advantage is that these bulbs don’t fuse as often as the incandescent ones do. Thus, you will be saved of the frustration of having to buy a new bulb every now and then. Also, in the future, energy use is going to get very expensive [more than petrol perhaps]. So only if you start working now will you be able to curb those future headaches or might I daresay, cancers.

The last but certainly not the final advantage of using CFL bulbs will attract patriots the most. Did you know that we depend on foreign countries for electricity? If you work to save energy and Go Green, you will be reducing our country’s need to depend on foreign countries for fossil fuels.

And oh by the way, for those of you who don’t know, CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Lamp. *winks*

Posted by kritikaponia in Blog

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Jul04

Take A Step Forward! (A Poem)

 

The wind blows softly, I feel it.

The rivers flow smoothly, I see it.

The clouds move slowly, I enjoy it.

The rain pours swiftly, I enjoy it.

 

But now I want to raise a question.

Who has changed the nature’s equation?

Where has all the love gone?

And where is the green lawn?

 

There is pollution spread everywhere,

The nature cries but nobody cares.

Everyone is busy in their own life,

The greenery is depleting, making it impossible to survive.

 

Now, something must be done,

To be safe under the sun.

The hole in the ozone is causing so much pain,

I can no longer enjoy the rain.

 

The global warming is increasing,

The acid content in the rain is increasing.

Nature always nurtures,

But we are destroying our own future.

 

Now it’s high time,

Stop this deadly crime

And stop being a coward.

Let’s together TAKE A STEP FORWARD!

 

Posted by Ila Garg in Blog

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Jun29

Show your Humanity. Save Water.

“Turn the tap off!” I scream.

“I am brushing!” comes the reply in a harsh voice that is several decibels above mine.

“Are you brushing with water or are you brushing with your toothbrush? Turn the thing off!!”

Does that sound a little too familiar? Has that happened to you? Yeah? Even if it hasn’t happened to you, you surely have heard about it from many people. That is because water is becoming scarce by the day on the face of the Earth and turning the water supply off whilst brushing your teeth is the least you can do to help avert the impending doom.

How will turning off the tap whilst brushing help, you ask? In reply, I’ll ask you to do a little experiment. When you brush in the morning tomorrow, place a mug under the tap. Let all the water flowing out of the tap from the time you start brushing to the time you actually need the water to wash your mouth and your brush collect in the mug. You will be surprised to see that more often than not even the mug will overflow. Each day you are wasting that much amount of water. And, if you are one of those hygienic people who brush twice, then multiply that with two. Calculate that for a year now.

Most of you are surely in your late teens or in your early adulthood. Multiply the volume of water you collected with your age to get a brief idea of the water that is wasted. Remember that this is the calculation for one person alone. Do some more math and calculate the amount of water wasted by your whole family.

Baffling? Does the number prick now? Is my point clear yet? Hope you have gotten the answer to the aforementioned question.

If you haven’t, check this picture:

1.1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water, roughly one-sixth of the world’s population.

While you live in the luxury of urban living with 24 hour supply of both drinking and tap water, there are thousands in the rural parts of our country [and yes, millions across the globe] who don’t even have the luxury of tap water; let alone drinking water. They are forced to drink contaminated, dirty, sewage water to quench their thirst. They die of dehydration because of lack of water or of deadly water-borne diseases due to consumption of contaminated water. Either way, their lives are painful, excruciating and they don’t find peace until the disease finally takes them down.

If only the water you waste each day is transferred to these people, at least one person will have access to clean water. At least one person will LIVE.

Are you telling me there isn’t enough humanity in you to do that much for another helpless person?

Posted by kritikaponia in Blog

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Jun27

Go Green! NOW!

The Earth may be filled with miserable souls who don’t give a damn about the harm man is causing to the environment. But amidst them, there are a blessed few who actually ache seeing the current condition of Mother Earth.

I know many people who actually care but don’t know how to make a change or how to help the environment. If you are also someone who wants to help but doesn’t know how, you must read this. Here are a few very simple ways to go green. You only have to make minor changes in your lifestyle and you’ll be doing your bit for the environment.

  • Turn off the lights! I’d not be lying if I said that my father has spent all his life since my brother was born [he is older] to turn! The! Damn! Light! Off! When we leave the room. It used to annoy the hell out of me when I was a child but he managed to incorporate that habit in my family. While his yelling was purely for cutting the electricity bills down, you could follow the same and help the environment! And oh yes, lower electricity bills in the long run are always a delight!
  • Stop using paper towels! I have a friend who uses paper towels and paper napkins just because it is ‘cool’ and in her words, ‘everyone does it!’ Seriously, are you kidding me?! How is using paper towels and throwing them away in the bin even remotely cool?! Use cotton fiber towels instead. They are much better because they are absorbent and can be re-used. You will save a lot of money as well as numerous trees from being felled!
  • While zooming away in your car is very ‘trendy’, it is not really nice to drive even to a store that is located less than one kilometre away! Walk!! Puts your leg muscles to use for once and walk to the nearby places. Obesity and bad health is a huge problem today. You’ll knock off a few kilos, stay healthy, help the environment and guess what? Save a LOT of money! Petrol is not really ‘affordable’ today now, is it?
  • You hate standing in long queues to pay your bills, don’t you? You have an awesome reason to get away from that! Take full advantage of the facilities the internet has bestowed upon all of us and pay your bills online. Not only does it save paper, it saves your sanity! Double benefits, eh?
  • I am sure all of you are using cleaners loaded with chemicals to keep your house clean. Did you know that bottle that you rely on to kill germ could cause you and your family a truckload of problems? Oh yes, it can cause allergies and health issues! Simply replace it with organic cleaners free from all kinds of harmful chemicals. These are safer, more efficient and eco-friendly!

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