Sunday, May 3, 2009

Environmental Abuse


Environmental abuse is often the most overlooked type of abuse. There are over 6 billion people in the world and alot of the time ourselves along with everyone else think it is okay to drop our garbage in the street, in the park, or out of the car window. Or that it is okay to put pesticides on our lawn to kill the most insignificant insects. Little do we know that the earth that we are polluting is the same earth that we are living. The air that factories pump dirty air into is the air that we will eventually breathe. And the pesticides that we put on our lawn will run off into our water supply that we will ultimately drink. 
These are just examples of things that represent environmental abuse. Some other examples of problems would be: (in addition to pesticides)dumping dirt or mulch in the street, dumping chemicals such as anti-freeze or oil in the street or down the gutters, and not picking up wastes from pets. All these are just a few of many environmental issues of which are taken lightly everyday.
Even though global warming (which is the overall increase of the earth's air and ocean temperatures) is well under way and will continue, there are numerous, and surprisingly easy ways in which we can help "go green".
- support local farms and buy food from them, that way we can cut down on gas emissions from 
nationally shipped produce.
- bring your own reusable tote bags when grocery shopping to save plastic and paper bags.
- invest in a water efficient shower head which is built to cut down on water usage.
- keep plants in your house, on your porch and in your backyard
- recycle your old cell phone (it is illegal to throw it away in New Jersey anyway).
- use compact flourescent lightbulbs (the squiggly ones), you will lower your electric bill and they will last longer.
- when hosting a party, have people write their name on plastic cups so they'll only use one.
- try using organic soap
- avoid drive-through windows so you don't have to keep your car running.
- turn off the light, open the blinds and use the sun to lighten the room.

Just doing a few of these things in your everyday life can help cut down the use of energy and remember to recycle and put your personal trash in the garbage. Conceivably i hope these tips helped. Thank you for reading and keep checking back to learn more about the different types of abuse.


- caitlin morris

6 comments:

  1. caitlin, that was a very inspirational post. I had no idea that doing those little few suggestions could help save our planet by a mile run. I find it really cool to bring your bags for food shopping so we can recycle the many plastic grocery bags that are thrown out anyway.

    Really encouraging, great job.

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  2. This is a great post. People are always looking at the earth as a way to get ahead by using up the natural resources. Everyday it is being destroyed for human purposes such as building town and cities, cutting trees for paper, dumping toxic waste into oceans, smoke filling the air, and etc. Others don’t even know why they are harming the world and do it just because it’s easier- like what Caitlin said: “drop our garbage in the street, in the park, or out of the car window.” We have to learn to appreciate what’s been given to us, especially when it’s what we live in.

    These are really good ways to “to green” and help the environment. It’s amazing how these little things can make a big difference. This post is really encouraging Caitlin! It reminds us of how important the earth is and these tips are really cool! Good job!

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  3. To be completely honest, I am so glad you wrote this post. I was not aware of all the information that you wrote out for us to see. I think it is important that we as a community try to raise awareness to help clean up our enviroment because it plays such a major role in our lives. It is a basic element for all life. Good job Caitlin!

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  4. I never realized how many ways there were to help save the earth. When going to the store I see some many bags wasted I never really considered how harmful it could be to the environment. Whenever I goto a different area of the country or even state, the air is completely different and it is scary how polluted the air is we breathe in everyday. If people can just clean up after themselves and not pollute and recycle, then maybe our earth will be a happier greener place.

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  5. there is a lot that we can do in our schools also. The amount of plastic bottles that are used each day and not recycled is crazy. Schools should start with the reusable water bottles as a policy or something like that to help people realize what damage they are doing to the earth

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  6. thank you everyone!

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