How to Reduce Air Pollution

". . . The pollution of the planet is only an outside reflection of an inner psychic pollution: millions of unconscious individuals not taking responsibility for their inner space."

"Are you polluting the world or cleaning up the mess? You are responsible for your inner space; nobody else is, just as you are responsible for the planet. As within, so without. If humans clear inner pollution, then they will also cease to create outer pollution."

Air pollution, including that of ozone, is mainly the result of human activities. The small things you do every day can help reduce air pollution and hence improve the protection of the environment as well as human health.

Here are some tips on what you can do, on a day-to-day basis, to help prevent air pollution:

At Home

• Conserve energy - turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
• Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. (This conserves energy and reduces production emissions.)
• Keep wood stoves and fireplaces well maintained. 
• Plant deciduous trees in locations around your home to provide shade in the summer, but to allow light in the winter.
  
• Buy green electricity-produced by low-or even zero-pollution facilities.
• Connect your outdoor lights to a timer or use solar lighting.
• Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120F.
• Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
• Test your home for radon-a dangerous, radioactive gas that is odorless and tasteless. If the test shows elevated levels of radon, the problem can be fixed cost effectively. 
• Choose not to smoke in your home, especially if you have children. If you or your visitors must smoke, then smoke outside. 

Buy Smart

• Buy ENERGY STAR products, including energy efficient lighting and appliances. They are environmentally friendly products. 
• Choose efficient, low-polluting models of vehicles.
• Choose products that have less packaging and are reusable.
• Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
• Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.

Drive Wise

Walk or use the bike!

45 % of the ozone precursors and 38 % of the particulate matter emitted in India comes from transport. On average, one out of three journeys we do by car is only to go as far as 2 km. Replacing a car ride by walking or using the bicycle not only helps reduce traffic but also emissions.

If you have to use your car…!

Make sure to have the right tire pressure. If the pressure is down by 0.5 bars, the car needs 5 % more fuel and also gives off more pollution.

Driving with the air conditioner turned on increases fuel consumption by 30 %; driving with windows open only increases it by 5 %.

Letting your car warm up while stationary can make it consume up to 50 % more fuel. If you start driving immediately, the engine will reach its working temperature quicker.

Using a roof rack on your car can increase fuel consumption by 20 to 30 %. Bicycles are better attached to the back of the car.

If you need to buy a car, be careful to check its fuel economy. With an environment-friendly car you will use less fuel and produce less exhaust fumes.

Plan your trips. Save gasoline and reduce air pollution.

• Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
• In the summertime, fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
• Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in.
• When possible, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike.
• Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).
• Use an energy-conserving (EC) grade motor oil.
• Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
• Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.
• Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.

For Your Health

• Check daily air quality forecasts, which tell how clean or polluted your air is, and the associated health concerns.
• Remove indoor asthma triggers from your home and avoid outdoor triggers in order to effectively control your asthma.
• Minimize your sun exposure. Wear sun block and UV protection sunglasses. How to Reduce Air Pollution

How to reduce Water Pollution

Although it covers more than 70% of the surface of the Earth, water is one of the most precious natural resources of our planet. The reason being that about 97% of the total water is salty, and therefore not potable; a further 2% is locked in glaciers and polar ice caps, thus leaving just about 1% of it useful for consumption. Apart from clean drinking water, we also need to keep the waters in the oceans, rivers, and lakes unpolluted because otherwise it harms the very planet we survive on. With human population increasing rapidly water resources all over the world are getting polluted; so much so, that precious and unique organisms and ecosystems are being harmed and are even going extinct at an alarming rate. 

What Causes Water Pollution?

Although certain natural processes may cause some amount of water pollution, anthropogenic effects cause water pollution the most. We need to use water everyday, both in our industries as well as our homes. We get this water from groundwater sources, rivers, and lakes. Most of the water we use - and abuse - finds its way back to one or more of these water bodies.
The used water from agricultural and industrial practices, and household use, all comes together to generate sewage or wastewater. If sewage allowed to flow back into water systems without being treated, it causes pollution. The polluted water bodies harm all life, humans, animal and plants. Water also gets polluted due to surface runoff from industries, agricultural land and urban areas, which flow directly through storm-water drains into water systems without any treatment.
The disposal of sewage is a major problem in developing countries where there isn't adequate sanitation in large areas, thus carrying disease causing bacteria and viruses into sources of water. However, developed countries too contribute to water pollution; people often flush pharmaceutical and chemical products down their toilet, adding to the chemical load of waste water and sewage.

 5 ways you can prevent water pollution at home:

How to reduce Water Pollution

1. Use less water

This might sound simplistic, but decreasing your water consumption is one of the keys to minimizing water pollution. By reducing the amount of water you use, you will reduce the amount of water that flows into sewage treatment systems.
You can decrease your water consumption by taking a shower instead of a bath, letting it mellow if it’s yellow (i.e. don’t flush the toilet every time you urinate), turning the water off while you’re brushing your teeth, and using natural landscaping so you don’t have to water your lawn.

2. Use environmentally-friendly household products

Don’t use household products that contain chemicals. Instead, use green products, like biodegradable soap and all-natural toiletries. To clean your house, stop using bleach and chemical cleaners and use vinegar instead.

3. Apply natural pesticides and fertilizers

The use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers leads to water pollution because contaminated water seeps into ground water and runs off into nearby water sources. Natural pesticides that you can use include insecticidal soap and pyrethrum. Natural fertilizers include wood ash, grass clippings, and animal manure.

4. Don’t litter

Avoid littering in rivers, lakes, and oceans. If you’re really feeling motivated, gather a group of friends and family members to clean up litter on the beach and near other bodies of water. Make sure that you dispose of the litter in an appropriate waste disposal area.

5. Dispose of toxic products with care

Make sure to dispose of toxic products, such as paints, solvents, and polishes, in the proper area. Don’t pour them down your drain. Better yet, avoid toxic products altogether and use environmentally friendly products instead.

As you can see, there are a variety of things that ordinary citizens can do to prevent water pollution. It is everyone’s responsibility to take the steps necessary to lessen water pollution and prevent it from causing further damage to our delicate ecosystems.

Personally, I decided to take an active role in preventing water pollution. While I can’t see the immediate impact of my actions, it feels great to do what’s in my power to make a difference. And the coolest part is that my friends and family members who see me are motivated to do the same. Taking actions to end water pollution empowers both individuals and their respective communities.