There are 17 threatened species in South Africa, including the black rhino, pangolin and giant golden mole.
What
to do at home to improve the environment?
We can all make small and simple changes in our way of living at home which can help the environment.
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The coal, oil and gas burned in our homes and power stations give off carbon dioxide and other gases which contribute to the greenhouse effect and acid rain. By using less fuel, you can play a personal role in helping combat these problems. Some of these measures may cost more at first, but save you money in the long term.
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Switch off lights, heating and other electrical equipment when rooms are not in use.
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Use draught excluders at doors and windows, and install insulation in the roof in colder climates, and around your hot water tank.
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Adjust your hot water geyser to a lower setting; 55 - 60°C is adequate and switch this off when going away for long periods.
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Install solar panels. The initial cost may be quite high, but you will reduce electricity bills.
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Use fluorescent light bulbs instead of ordinary incandescent bulbs. Although more expensive to buy, they last eight times longer and use much less electricity.
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When buying electrical equipment, make sure they are energy efficient - ask the sales representative for energy consumption figures.
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Instead of boiling a kettle repeatedly, use a flask to keep the water hot.
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Don't use the hot water tap unless you actually want hot water and then use as little as possible.
What
to do away from home to help the environment?
Individuals and conservation
organisations are working at local, national and
global levels to stop the destruction of this
wonderful world in which we are privileged to
live. Throughout the world we are destroying our
greatest global assets, and the natural systems
that give us beauty and keep us alive. Rainforests
are being cut down, pollution from burning of
fossil fuels is contributing to the greenhouse
effect and changes in world climate, while thousands
of species are threatened with extinction due
to loss of habitat. But we have the awareness,
the responsibility and the ability to stop this
destruction.
The most immediate appeal is for people everywhere
to become conservationists in their daily lives.
The pressure on our planet has now become so great
that a vital and urgent rethink into how we behave
is a necessity - not a choice. We must correct
yesterday's mistakes today for a better tomorrow.
Whoever and wherever you are, whatever you are
doing, you can help the environment. Today we
must all take responsibility for our planet.
There is enormous wastage
of paper and energy in the workplace.
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Thousands
of trees are used to make the paper and
other products which we throw away. Save
resources by recycling.
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Save
energy and money by switching off lights
and heating that is not in use, particularly
over lunch hour and after work.
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Is
your workplace using environmentally safe
products e.g. phosphate free cleaning agents?
Promote this as a policy.
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Support
the use of recycled paper - this uses less
energy and produces less wastage and pollution
than virgin paper.
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Does
your company or workplace have an environmental
policy? Help develop one with other concerned
people and make it official policy. If not,
start one!
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Encourage your employer
to promote water conservation in the work
place.
Next time you go shopping
take a moment to think of the effect your next
purchase could have on the environment. Be an
informed consumer. There are safe alternatives
to many of the products we buy today.
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Buy
pump-action sprays, particularly when
refills are available. Avoid aerosols
unless they state they do not use CFCs.
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Buy Eco-friendly toilet paper, stationery
etc.
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If
you can, buy in bulk - it saves packaging
and money.
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Avoid
products designed specifically for a short
life span, for example disposable items
such as nappies - buy long-lasting items
to reduce the amount of urban waste.
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Take
your own bag shopping. Billions of non-recyclable
or non-biodegradable carrier bags are
given away free and used only once. These
can, for example, end up in rivers and
seas where they can kill or injure wildlife.
Re-use them as dustbin liners and take
half-a-dozen along to the supermarket
for re-use. Some supermarkets have introduced
collection points for carrier bags - find
out if yours has one.
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Remember
yours is the power of the purse - you
can make a difference by selecting articles
which are environmentally safe.
Do you need to drive the
car so often? Huge amounts of poisonous gases
and substances are released by our cars and other
motor vehicles each year, including nitrogen oxides
and hydrocarbons as well as lead which contributes
to acid rain, smog, health problems and the greenhouse
or global warming effect.
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Try
walking or cycling instead of the car. It
also keeps you fit.
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Use
public transport when possible. If there
is not a good service make sure your elected
representative or local authority knows.
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Consider
sharing car journeys with friends or relatives
or form a car pool.
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Drive
more slowly. Reduced speeds lead to less
fuel being used and less pollution.
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Have
your car serviced regularly - an efficient
engine is a clean one.
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Watch
out for animals crossing the road, particularly
at night when your vehicle's headlights
may dazzle and confuse the animal. Slow
down if you think you see an animal at the
side of the road. In the United States it
is estimated than more than one-million
mammals and birds are killed by motor vehicles
every day!
Write
to your elected representative, local authority
or local paper on environmental issues that
concern you. Many improvements have been
achieved through persistent public outcry.
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Campaign
for better public transport and recycling
facilities.
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Join
an environmental group - they need your
support.
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Use
less, reuse more and tell others to conserve
our precious resources as well.
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Spread
the word amongst friends and colleagues
- show them this leaflet.
