Green Begins With Me is a simple, comprehensive guide designed to create a culture of environmental responsibility in the Cape Fear region. Read below and stay tuned to WWAY TV3 for information on how you can make real and lasting changes in your community that will protect children and the environment for years to come.
1. Generate compost. This is nature's way of recycling. Through basic and worm composting programs, learn about ecology, biology and waste reduction.
2. Recycle everything that cannot be reused and purchase items that can be recycled. With fast shrinking landfill space and diminishing natural resources, recycling has never been more important. Recycling items such as paper, plastic, aluminum and ink cartridges reduces toxic greenhouse gas emissions and conserves energy. Manage E-waste by finding creative solutions to divert obsolete computer parts, cell phones and other such devices from the waste stream. Communities that recycle provide much-needed materials to manufacturers who produce recycled products.
3. Educate your community on environmentally responsible behavior. When families and businesses work together to make their communities environmentally friendly, they are more likely to take the same behaviors into other settings thus spreading a culture of sustainability and environmental consciousness. Make it a goal to create environmentally responsible schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods throughout your community and across the globe.
4. Evaluate the environmental impact of every activity. Identify products and practices that could threaten the health of children and the world around them. Consider improving the environment with activities such as eliminating excessive energy consumption; evaluating the toxicity of pesticides used in your schools and neighborhoods; improving outdoor air quality through increased carpooling efforts; and working to improve indoor air quality.
5. Nurture the principles of responsible paper consumption. Consider purchasing post consumer recycled paper and office products. Use technology to communicate electronically as much as possible. Urge your politicians to seek ways to provide Internet access to all citizens through innovative initiatives like community wi-fi.
