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As the Native American saying goes, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” It is high time that we realize the truth in the saying and do our part in saving the Earth from the doom it is destined for, thereby saving our own selves. In order to reduce our carbon footprint, the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle must be diligently followed by us. The following are the 10 most effective ways of going green:

1. Conserve electricity: Excessive energy consumption results in an increase in carbon footprint. We should practice the below habits to conserve energy productively:

• Switch off fans and lights when leaving the room.
• Don’t heat an empty house.
• Go for star-qualified energy-conserving appliances.
• Opt for CFL and LED bulbs.
• Take stairs instead of the elevator when possible.
• Don’t keep the fridge door open for long unnecessarily.
• Don’t just close the screen of your computer, but shut your system when you are not using it.
• Keep all doors and windows closed when using the air-conditioner.

2. Save paper: Stop the usage of paper as much as possible.

• Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
• Go for online news sources like stateschronicle.com instead of reading traditional newspapers.
• Pay bills online.
• Get e-tickets, and do not print them unless unavoidable.

3. Go for alternate energy: Opt for clean energy sources like solar, geothermal or wind turbine energy.

4. Plant trees: Trees not only give oxygen, but they also prevent soil erosion. They aid in the timely onset of the monsoons as well as protect wildlife. Try to plant trees in your neighborhood so you can have cool summers with lots of shade.

5. Save water: Many parts of the world are already drought-affected. The Earth is on the onset of a water crisis. So you must take some steps to save water.

• Take shorter showers.
• Repair the dripping faucet.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl rather than under running water.
• Practice rainwater harvesting.

6. Reduce plastic: Carry reusable water bottles instead of buying the disposable plastic ones. Pack lunch in insulated boxes.
7. Stop food wastage: Buy what you need and how much you need. Don’t go for excess and waste it. Save the leftovers and use them.

8. Grow your own food: You can utilize even the minimal place you have to grow plants. You can grow salad plants like cucumber, tomatoes, chilies or even herbs. If you have a larger space, you can grow your own vegetables that are free of chemical residues.

9. Make your own compost: For chemical-free food, you can make your own compost pile which is very easy. It is also good for the soil health.

10. Make chemical-free DIY products at home: You can make your own cleaning solutions just by using baking soda, vinegar, lemon and soap. You can also make your own paraben-free beauty products by using common kitchen items.