(This is the article posted by Miss Ooha Padma who is studying her 7th class) EACH ONE PLANT ONE
There's a popular saying which goes, 'Each one plant one'. This saying essentially urges all human beings to plant at least one tree in their lifetime. If every human being planted a tree, and if our planet had as many trees as it had people, the environment wouldn't be quite as unstable as it is today. The hole in the ozone layer wouldn't be quite as big or threatening, and the globe wouldn't be warming up as quickly as it is. The importance of respecting your environment and Mother Nature can never be underestimated. While everyone grumbles about pollution, not many of us really do anything about it. "What can we do?" you say. The answer is: plenty. Here's what you can do for starters:
Don't Litter
You're in a car, munching on a packet of chips. The instant you chomp down the last wafer, you roll down your window and chuck the packet out of the window. Bad. Very, very bad. Golden rule no. 1: Don't ever throw anything out of the window of your car. Only if you follow this rule, can you set an example for your children. If you have something to discard, simply keep it in your car, and throw it in your garbage bin when you reach home. Take pride in your country! Someone once said "People get the government they deserve." Well, what does that say about us?
Save Paper
Yes, it's true. Paper is made from trees. So don't, don't waste paper. DON'T! We're not asking you to abstain from using paper. Feel free to use as much as you want, as long as you USE it, and not just waste it.Instead of giving your younger children a drawing book, wherein they scribble their way through 10 pages in 10 minutes, give them a sheet of paper instead, so they keep scribbling away on that one sheet. (The same rule applies to you!).Use both sides of the paper when printing, unless you are taking 20 printouts and you cannot be bothered to keep changing the side. But if it is just a couple of pages, use BOTH sides.Similarly, use both sides of a writing pad, notepad or letterhead. Remember that every piece of paper can be recycled, no matter how small. So recycle paper.
Separate your garbage
Separate your dry garbage from kitchen waste. Give your dry garbage for free to the neighbourhood raddiwallah when he comes to purchase your old newspapers. Did you know that because most people don't separate their garbage, slum children rummage through piles and piles of slime, trying to salvage whatever they can so they can sell it and buy themselves a meal? In the process not only do they get various skin infections, but they also often cut themselves on broken glass pieces and rusted nails, and are constantly ridden with diseases.
Do your bit for charity
Do you do your bit for charity? There's no compulsion, and if you're still in the process of making a life for yourself, coughing up extra cash so someone else can have a chance at making their lives, may not be a very appealing option. However, you don't have to donate money if you'd rather not. There are various other options: Give old clothes to a government hospital or to a charity institute (not to beggars on the street.) Ask your child to hand over the toys he does not play with any longer, and the clothes he doesn't wear. (Of course, you can have the final say and put those expensive, new, M&S trousers that fit perfectly, back in his closet!) Explain to him that these clothes and toys will be sent to a charity home. This way your child will learn the lesson of giving. Every once in a while, give your newspapers to a newspaper collecting drive. Educate someone. Does the washer woman have a son or daughter who could use some help in school? Help the child with school work. If you don't have the time, encourage your children to teach them. In this manner, you would also be inculcating a sense of social service in your children. Or simply, do a great service to your planet, and plant a tree.
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