Meghan Hodges
Environmental pollution is a pressing issue that requires collective action from individuals, communities, and governments alike. While pollution control is primarily the responsibility of state and territory environment agencies, everyday choices can make a significant difference in reducing harmful emissions and protecting our air, land, and water. From adjusting our watering practices to opting for energy-efficient appliances, there are numerous ways we can contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future. This topic explores the various strategies we can employ to mitigate environmental pollution and create a positive impact on our planet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reduce emissions | Mow your lawn less, commute by walking or riding instead of driving |
| Conserve water | Avoid overwatering your lawn |
| Improve soil fertility | Compost food waste |
| Protect water quality | Pick up pet waste |
| Reduce energy use | Choose efficient appliances and heating systems, turn off electrical items when not in use |
What You'll Learn
Reduce harmful emissions to air, land and water
There are many ways to reduce harmful emissions to air, land and water. One of the most effective ways to do this is to reduce your energy consumption. You can do this by using energy-efficient appliances and heating systems, turning off electrical items you're not using, and getting an energy audit.
Another way to reduce emissions is to commute smart. Motor vehicle emissions are the most significant source of most common air pollutants, so consider walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving. You can also reduce emissions by using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf or snow blowers, which produce nearly the same amount of pollution as a 100-mile car trip in just one hour of use.
You can also reduce emissions by shrinking your yard and planting native species, which requires less mowing. Composting food waste can also help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil fertility. Finally, picking up pet waste is important for protecting water quality, as pet waste can carry two types of pollutants into waterways: nutrients and pathogens.
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Conserve water and control runoff
Conserving water and controlling runoff are two important ways to help control environmental pollution. Overwatering and misdirected watering practices can result in wasted water and polluted runoff that may end up in nearby streams, rivers, lakes, and even groundwater. To conserve water, you can shrink your yard and plant native species, which will require less mowing and therefore reduce emissions. You can also compost your food waste and add it to your garden to improve soil fertility and reduce the need for watering.
Controlling runoff is also important to prevent water pollution. This can be done by properly disposing of pet waste, which can carry two types of pollutants into waterways: nutrients and pathogens. Additionally, using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of gas-powered engines can help reduce air pollution and improve the quality of nearby water sources.
Everyday choices can also make a difference in controlling environmental pollution. Using energy, transport, and other goods and services more carefully can reduce harmful emissions. This includes choosing efficient appliances and heating systems, turning off electrical devices when not in use, and commuting by walking or riding a bike instead of driving. These simple actions can help protect our environment and create a more sustainable future.
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Reduce mowing and use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment
One way to control environmental pollution is to reduce mowing and use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment. Gas-powered small engines like those on lawnmowers and leaf or snow blowers often lack pollution control devices. In fact, an hour of running a lawnmower can produce nearly the same amount of pollution as a 100-mile car trip!
To reduce emissions, you can mow your lawn less frequently. You can also shrink your yard and plant native species, which will require less mowing. If you do need to mow, opt for hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of gas-powered options. These simple choices can make a big difference in reducing harmful emissions and protecting our air, land, and water.
In addition to reducing mowing and using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment, there are other everyday choices you can make to control environmental pollution. For example, you can commute smart by walking or riding a bike to work or the shops instead of driving. Motor vehicle emissions are the most significant source of common air pollutants. You can also conserve water and control runoff on your property to prevent polluted water from entering nearby streams, rivers, and lakes.
Making small changes in your energy usage can also help reduce pollution. Choose efficient appliances and heating systems, and turn off electrical devices when you're not using them. Getting an energy audit and following the advice can also help you reduce your energy consumption and lower your impact on the environment.
By combining these strategies, such as reducing mowing, using hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment, and making sustainable choices in your daily life, you can play a part in controlling environmental pollution and creating a cleaner and more sustainable future for all.
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Use energy-efficient appliances and heating systems
Using energy-efficient appliances and heating systems is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and control pollution. Energy-efficient appliances are designed to use less energy to perform the same tasks as standard appliances, which means they produce fewer harmful emissions.
When it comes to appliances, look for the Energy Star label. This label is found on products that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star-certified products include washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. By choosing these over standard appliances, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption and, in turn, reduce pollution.
Heating systems can also be a major source of energy consumption and emissions. To improve the energy efficiency of your heating, consider upgrading to a modern, high-efficiency system. These systems are designed to provide better temperature control and use less energy to heat your home. If you're unable to upgrade your heating system, there are still ways to improve its energy efficiency. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing air filters, can help ensure your system is running optimally and reduce energy waste.
In addition to choosing efficient appliances and heating systems, don't forget the importance of your everyday choices. Simple actions like turning off appliances and lights when not in use can make a big difference. By being mindful of your energy usage and adopting energy-saving habits, you can further reduce your environmental impact and contribute to pollution control.
Lastly, consider getting an energy audit for your home. An energy audit will identify areas where your home is losing energy and provide tailored recommendations to improve efficiency. This could include suggestions such as adding insulation, sealing air leaks, or upgrading to more efficient lighting. By following the advice of an energy audit, you can make targeted improvements to reduce your energy consumption and pollution output.
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Walk or ride to work or the shops instead of driving
Motor vehicle emissions are the most significant source of most common air pollutants. Therefore, walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment.
If you live close to your workplace or local shops, consider walking or riding a bike instead of driving. This will not only reduce harmful emissions but also improve your health and fitness. If you live further away, you could try carpooling with colleagues or friends to reduce the number of cars on the road.
Another way to reduce your environmental impact is to use public transport instead of driving. Buses, trains, and subways are more energy-efficient than cars, especially if they are electric or use renewable energy sources. If public transport is not an option, consider investing in an electric car or a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
In addition to choosing more sustainable modes of transport, you can also reduce emissions by using less energy in your daily life. This includes choosing efficient appliances and heating systems, turning off electrical devices when not in use, and getting an energy audit to identify areas for improvement.
By making these simple changes, you can help protect our environment for a clean and sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many things you can do to control environmental pollution, such as using energy, transport and other goods and services more carefully to reduce harmful emissions.
You can commute smart by walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving. Motor vehicle emissions remain the most significant source of most common air pollutants.
You can use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment instead of gas-powered small engines like those on lawnmowers and leaf or snow blowers, which often lack pollution control devices.
You can shrink your yard and plant natives, mowing less will reduce emissions. Compost your food waste and by adding it to your garden and grass you can both mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil fertility.
