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How to help save the world

06/28/2011 By 1 Comment

by Maitri Pamo

There are some activists like Huerta and Chavez, who cause tsunamis of change that mold the topography of the socio-cultural landscape. But just as important are the cumulative effects of ripples and resultant waves caused by many people doing small acts consistently.

Daily activism benefits not only the individual directly by lowering energy bills but also the earth through mindful use of resources. Here are a few ways to incorporate easy changes into daily routines.

Water: This crucial resource is likely to become a strategic, global limited resource. In the US, we are fortunate to enjoy excellent water management; this provides many people with a false sense of security and misunderstanding about how limited a resource it has been for many years even in this country. Taking care to use water judiciously is an important way to safeguard it and to save money by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat it.

  • take shorter showers
  • turn water off when not actively used; soap dishes then turn on water to rinse, turn water on only when ready to rinse after brushing teeth

Electronics: Energy, and your money, are wasted by leaving unattended appliances running. In addition, the more energy wasted, the more that will need to be generated to supply a wasteful household. Keep in mind that all energy production is associated with pollution emission as well.

  • turn off lights when they are not being used
  • shut down any appliances that are not actively being used
  • do not leave chargers such as those for phone and tooth brushes plugged in when they are not actively charging the intended devices
  • lower the thermostat a little in winter and show off your stylish sweaters; in the summer, eliminate a need for those sweaters by not refrigerating your home into a chill
  • purchase energy efficient appliances and use energy efficient light bulbs
  • use cold/cool water to wash clothes

Gasoline: Especially with the current gas prices, it is foolish to throw “extra” money into a gas tank. In a global perspective, the less oil we can consume, the better it is for attempting to reach energy independence from often volatile oil producing countries. From an environmental standpoint, think of the thick, health killing blanket of pollution caused by emissions.

  • Do not leave engines idling
  • Keep your car in good maintenance
  • Make sure tire pressures are adequate
  • combine trips, or, get on your bike and ride!

Reduce! Re Use! Recycle!  Make sure that your local center does its best to recycle effectively and efficiently.  If not, voice your concerns to your elected officials.

Make more ripples by teaching children to be mindful of resources and to conserve them. Let us lead by example and teach responsibility with the added benefit of enjoying a little more green in our wallets.

Contributor, Maitri Pamo.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of
the author and should not be understood to be shared by Being Latino, Inc.

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About Maitri Pamo

Matri was born in Guatemala City and emigrated to the U.S. with her parents when she was a toddler. Her childhood years were spent in Washington D.C. She was fortunate to have been aided and encouraged to apply to a great school in Virginia by a teacher who saw a spark in her when she taught her in the DC public school system. Maitri was disadvantaged in that she then became the only Latina in her class for many years. When it came time to go to college, she left for New York City, the place of her childhood dreams, to attend Barnard College, Columbia University. She graduated with a degree in Foreign Area Studies, with a concentration in Latin America. When she finally realized what she wanted to do professionally, she enrolled in three extra years of undergraduate coursework in order to fulfill the requirements for application to veterinary medical school. She graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine with a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

In addition to her professional life, a life she finds not only rewarding but constantly challenging, Maitri is a wife and a mother of three young children. She is an activist, interested in furthering knowledge, participating and directly involving herself in the areas of human and non human animal rights and environmentalism. She tries to engage in the world around her to influence it as much as she can to help secure a healthy, peaceful living environment for her children and all other living beings on the planet. She is a benevolent misanthrope, a polyglot, a lover of travel. She has wild plans of obtaining a law degree when her children are older. She is currently practicing emergency medicine and volunteers her services wherever they are needed.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be understood to be shared by Being Latino, Inc.

Comments

  1. yorkys mojica says:
    06/30/2011 at 9:07 pm

    that’s me!! love it!

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