4R, or How to live without harming Nature

As you know, the word "ecology" is translated from Greek as "the science house", and relates this science absolutely everyone on the planet thinks about it or not. Living in cities or in the area affected by any contamination, the person is directly confronted with the problems generated by the development of technology, but to an even greater extent — by the approach that a few decades ago laid the basis of society —consumption. It is placed at the head of the corner: not the happiness of the people, not a harmonious relationship between man and the world, not justice or access to education and culture, and consumption, it is possible to acquire as much as possible of the various benefits, services, information, etc. And no matter that this approach leads to the depletion of natural resources and extinction of many living organisms (in the past 30 years we have consumed approximately 30% of the planet's resources); no matter that because of it people lose the ability to think independently and make decisions, guided by common sense and reason, — it is important that the intake allows you to gain power and wealth for a few, which, it seems, does not care about the state of the planet and all its inhabitants...

The more we delve into the causes all sorts of distortions and imbalances of a modern stage of development of society, the better you realize how difficult it is to change anything. And back to the same old truth, has not lost its relevance to the present day: the only thing we can change is ourselves. But, we change ourselves and the world around them. One symptom of basic honesty, kindness, sensitivity, courage can change a situation. And what is life if not a wide variety of situations in which people act? And it all depends on how they act, what directs in the moment of decision, and alternatives are not so many: love and compassion or a desire to obtain some benefit for himself. As it seems, the root of many problems in this. But at the same time the solution comes also from the inside — from the determination of each change and the desire to live more in harmony with oneself, other people and nature.

"Think globally — act locally" is the motto of volunteer initiatives around the world. There is a lot that does not depend on us and what we can't change. All wise people say about it and to not worry. But, however, there is something that depends on us and what we can change. And here is the inactivity can be not only hurtful but ruinous. It is also important to learn to distinguish what is what.

But back to the environment. Yeah, I guess it is in our power to somehow globally affect the situation: to reduce rates of deforestation or fish, which are huge areas turning to desert or reduce pollution of air and water with toxic substances. But we understand that all of us used something produced and it was expended the planet's resources, energy and human labor. In our power, realizing this, use things carefully, do not buy extra, to repair broken instead of buying new, to give things a second life. Yes, we can't stop the production of plastic — this man-made material which practically does not decompose, and it is unclear now what to do with it. But we can refuse to bottled water, using filters and reusable bottles, and hand over plastic for recycling. There are plenty of tips that can be followed by absolutely anyone seeking to maintain a beautiful and clean everything that surrounds us. They all boil down to four basic rules, which you wanted to tell here. It is known in the English-speaking world rule 4R: reduce, reuse, repair, recycle. Translated into Russian: to reduce consumption, reuse, repair broken, recycle them.

Decipher what it means.

To reduce the consumption of means to buy only what we really need, and don't use more than we need for life. Of course, there can be no strict criteria, because needs are objectively different for everyone, but the General rule is that if you can without something to do, then do. It all starts with simple: water, which flows away, while I brush my teeth, the burning in an empty room light, etc. while shopping, it is useful to ask the question: I really need another pair of shoes, or just go sale and I want to take because it is cheap? Or a new phone: buy it, because the old does not fit or because promoting a new model? This approach is very helpful when selecting products at the supermarket, and at the same time saves money, and nothing then do not have to throw away. By the way, in the basket of our consumption gets a lot of things we do not intend to buy — it is about packaging. All of these bags, wrappers, boxes, bottles, etc. — for all this we pay, like it or not, and it is also coming the planet's resources. Therefore advised to pay attention not only on the quality of what we buy, but also on the packaging, giving preference to more environmentally friendly (i.e. it should not be more than necessary, and it should be processed).

To re-use. Over the last 50 years mankind has experienced a boom of disposable things; packages and utensils — striking of its representatives. It got to the point that the effort required for the extraction of oil, its transportation, processing, acquiring plastic material, creating the desired shape, delivery to the store of purchase and delivery home is considered less effort than just wash your spoon after a meal... besides, as already mentioned, the plastic almost does not decompose, and therefore, everything ever produced disposable bags, etc. will not disappear, but continue to accumulate in landfills and in the oceans, besides the combustion highlighting the very harmful substances and causing the death of many living beings. The solution is simple — try not to use disposable things, it's possible to replace them with something more durable. For example, you can not take every time to store bags and to go with my bag. Or use glass jars to blanks and boxes for storage. Being creative, you can turn the most ordinary thing in the cute element brings the comfort of home.

To fix a broken. Now of course it's not in Vogue: finally we have reached this level when I can just throw on any old thing and buy a new one. Moreover, the manufacturers actively use it, introducing the so-called "planned obsolescence": the product is initially created with a short lifespan, so they need to replace it with a new one. For example, in the kettle can quickly break some small detail, to replace which will be more difficult than to buy a new kettle. Not to mention all sorts of gadgets that become outdated almost before appearing on the counter. If you imagine how much so is thrown away things that could be useful, to be helpful, and if you remember that then they get all on the same landfill, which — quite true! they will lie for centuries, you probably want to do it another way and still fix a broken or to give to someone.

Submit for processing. This issue is now becoming more popular. The West has long been equipped with special containers for waste paper, glass, tin, plastic, life takes on new electronics and batteries. Most of the waste from the house goes for processing, including even clothes and shoes. In our country this movement is gaining momentum, but more and more people learn (or remember, as in Soviet times also had) that is a useful secondary raw material, and what is just garbage. And in order for this movement to join, it is not necessary to install home four containers or buy one with four compartments — just enough to put in separate package, box or bag anything you can recycle them. The main thing is to find out where is your nearest point of reception, and in what condition they are ready to take, and the accumulation of all to deliver.

By following these simple tips, we change from the global environmental situation, but our actions can become alternative — alternative to proposed us standard of consumption — and an example of how you can show your understanding and care in simple actions and lifestyle. Yes, everyone's effort is a drop in the bucket, but as you know that there is a sea, if not a multitude of drops? published

Author: Mary Burla

P. S. And remember, just changing your mind — together we change the world! ©

Source: bez-granic.ru/index.php/2013-08-04-13-26-15/vse-rubriki-zhurnala/kakustroenmir/2156-4r-ili-kak-zhit-bez-vreda-dlya-prirody.html