Water
Water is life. The origin of all forms of living organisms is associated
with water. This original water is also
part of human beginnings. Each
of us develops in the amniotic fluids. We can survive without food for
forty days. We cannot survive for three days without water.
* Do not leave taps open unnecessarily
* Immediately repair leaking faucets or cisterns
* Choose a water-saving washing machine
* Use environmentally friendly dishwashing liquids.
Energy
The Sun has always been the most important source of energy. The Sun
makes the wind blow, the rain fall and the rivers flow. Sunlight is
indispensable for the growth of plants which feed animals and people.
Bituminous coal, petroleum and natural gas are derived from vegetable
mass and may be regarded as the reservoirs of enormous quantities of
sunlight and solar heat. Thus, today cars use solar energy deposited 300
million years ago.
In the past, we relied on the strength of our muscles or draft horses.
The hearth or fireplace was the main source of heating. Due to our
creative skills, we started to use the power of wind and water - man
invented the windmill and the sailing ship. The invention of the steam
engine was a real breakthrough. The demand for fuels began to grow
rapidly. Wood and peat had already proved to be insufficient sources of
energy for running machines in earlier periods. The role of bituminous
coal and petroleum rose in importance. Finally, the steam engine was
employed to run large electricity generators. People began to use
electric light; electrical energy is used in motors, TV sets, mixers and
trains. Today, we cannot imagine our everyday life without electricity.
Try to save energy:
* Switch off unnecessary heaters
* Do not prevent air circulation around radiators
* Heating switched on - windows closed
* Adjust temperature in your heating system
* Install insulation panels behind radiators
* Insulate pipes in the heating system
* Install thermostatic radiator valves
* Choose an energy-saving central heating system
* Before you buy a new appliance, check its energy consumption.
Waste
The amount of waste generated by households continually grows. We have
exhausted the areas designated for landfills, where many valuable
resources go to waste. Waste separation is a great step forward. Our
bins contain no more rubbish but recyclable materials, valuable
resources whose manufacture cost a large amount of energy. Energy
production is a burden for the natural environment. Here are some hints
how to reduce the amount of waste we generate:
* Choose the most environmentally friendly packaging
* Buy beverages only in glass bottles
* Buy a product in a larger packaging
* Go shopping with your own bag
* Save paper
* Avoid articles that become hazardous waste after use
* Put used glass containers in bins designated for glass.
Food and shopping
The foundations of pro-environmental management are the natural methods
of plant growing and animal breeding which preserve the balance between
the various components of the natural environment. Natural products
often taste much better and can be stored for a longer period than
articles from industrial farms.
When choosing natural agricultural products, you support organic farms
situated in the vicinity of your town. In return, you can count on
regular deliveries of fresh and tasty vegetables. The offer of organic
products may also include fruit, dairy products, herbs and juices
* Prefer organic food
* Carefully select purchased meat
* Eat organic eggs
* Use biodegradable products.
Transport
Travelling is the most everyday of activities for all of us. We are
constantly on our way - to school, to work, to our family who live in
another region of the country, to our friends who live abroad, etc. The
number of miles we travel visibly grows year by year.
Walking or bicycling are the most environmentally friendly methods of moving.
* Consider the purchase of a bike
* Use commuter railroad instead of your car
* Consider possible driving to work together with your colleagues
* Handle automotive waste cautiously.