Tag: don’t waste water

Each of Us Can Play a Part in Earth’s Planetary Health

Published on by Nikken

Planetary health is a relatively new concept that has gained traction in recent years due to the urgent need to address the health of our planet and its inhabitants. It refers to the interdependent health of both humans and the environment, recognizing that the two are inseparable and that the health of one is intricately linked to the health of the other.1

Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth led to environmental degradation and climate change in this era. These factors have profound implications for human health, with climate change and extreme weather events exacerbating existing health problems. Air and water pollution as well as toxic chemicals are additional environmental factors that lead to health issues. By promoting sustainable development and protecting the planet’s health and inhabitants, we can ensure a healthy future for generations.2

Here are a few things we can do to to help Earth sustain its positive energy for the well-being of flora, fauna, humans and the planet as a whole:

•          Reduce food waste. Although there are so many on planet Earth who suffer from malnutrition and food deficit, there is an unconscionable amount of food that is wasted. To better understand how food waste occurs in your own kitchen, write down what gets thrown in the trash throughout the week, including the reason why. Did it go bad? Did you buy too much? Were you unsure of how to save it safely? Use this personal research to determine how best to reduce your waste. Perhaps you simply need to buy less, or learn better strategies for freezing or re-using leftovers.3

•          Learn how to compost. It is a great way to use food scraps such as fruit rinds or vegetable discards. The composting process converts food into stable soil carbon, rather than methane (which is what happens to food at a landfill).

•          Be mindful of how you use water. The average American household uses 98 gallons of water each day, more than other families around the globe.4 Assess your daily activities that involve water —bathing, cleaning, washing dishes, laundry, the toilet, cooking, watering the lawn —and see how you can cut down. For example, don’t let the faucet run while you’re brushing your teeth! Use a basin of water to rinse your dishes rather than running the tap on each item. Accumulate a whole load before using the dishwasher or doing laundry. Make sure you don’t have any leaky plumbing.

•          Consider solar power. It is a good choice for reducing carbon emissions. Personal rooftop solar panels are becoming less expensive and more widely used every year. And, it will likely decrease your electricity bills, if not completely wipe them out.

•          Eat less meat and more plant-based food. Forests are destroyed to make room for grazing, fertilizers produce nitrous oxide, and cows emit the greenhouse gas methane as they graze. Most climate change experts agree that reducing meat consumption is one of the most important tasks we have as a global community. In addition to being more eco-friendly, plant-rich diets may also reduce risk of some chronic diseases and add years to your life.5 Why not try a three-bean chili or a grilled portabella mushroom burger? 

•          Reduce, Reuse & Recycle: Reduce your usage of waste-producing items, such as single-use plastic bottles. Reuse whenever possible to minimize purchases. Recycle to lower your carbon footprint.

The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced planetary health as one of the core terms in its “Health Promotion Glossary of Terms 2021″.6 When we recognize the interdependence between Earth’s natural ecosystems and human health, we can all commit to doing our part to sustaining Earth’s vital energies!

Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd and treat yourself and your loved ones to fresh air with the KenkoAir Purifier® at 20% off the regular price! To breathe is to live and to breathe KenkoAir is to live healthy!

1, 2,6 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11107315/

3, 4, 5 https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/10-things-you-can-do-planetary-health

Conserving Water is Everyone’s Responsibility

Published on by Nikken

The amount of fresh water on planet Earth is static but the world population is increasing, which means more and more living creatures have to share the clean water that currently exists. Since water is a basic necessity of life and only one percent of Earth’s supply can be used for drinking, washing and growing plants, everyone has a responsibility to conserve fresh water for future generations. In fact, it is estimated that 2.5 billion people do not have access to clean water, putting their lives at grave risk.1

Those of us who live in areas with easy access to potable water can do our part to conserve water. Here are just a few tips:

•          Reuse “gray” water. Gray water is what goes down the drain. For example, rather than rinsing fruit and vegetables under the faucet while it runs, put the produce in a basin and cover it with just enough water to wash it. Once done, pour the water on house or garden plants.

•          Water used for cooking pasta or noodles can be drained into a bin, cooled and poured over plants.

•          Rainwater can be caught in containers and reused on landscaping

•          Have a basin in the shower or tub to collect cold water while you wait for it to heat up.

•          Brushing your teeth with the tap running? Don’t. In fact, don’t let the faucet run when it’s not necessary. Each minute the faucet is on can waste up to two gallons of water.2 Make sure the water is off while you brush, shave, wash your face and hands, then turn it back on when you’re ready to rinse.

•          Did you know you can waste nearly five gallons of water daily when you have a leaky faucet? That’s based on a single drop per second.3 Leaky faucets can also damage your home. A timely repair can save a lot of money.

•          Have you seen the ads that ask you to use the dishwasher to save water? It’s actually true that you can save water by using the dishwasher, but only if you do a full load. So, make sure to fill your dishwasher to capacity before starting the load.

•          Doing dishes the old-fashioned way can also save water. All you need is a double sink or two bins, one for soapy water and the other with clean water to rinse off. Remember not to keep the faucet running while you’re dishwashing.

•          According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 3,400 gallons of water each year by only doing full loads of laundry versus half loads. And, if you purchase a water-efficient washing machine, it reduces the water needed according to the load, so you automatically conserve.4

•          Pool owners, be aware! The U.S. Department of Energy cites evaporation as the largest source of water loss. As the air temperature and wind speed reach the pool’s surface, the water evaporates more quickly. Investing in a pool cover can reduce the amount of water needed to refill your pool by 30 to 50 percent!5

World Water Day is March 22—this is the perfect time of year to assess your personal habits when it comes to using water.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5  https://streamlabswater.com/blogs/streamlab-blog/7-ways-to-conserve-water-at-home?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAtYy9BhBcEiwANWQQLxoVVyzD5CsU337s9OgVIv_465MWmpScQZBqRggpOVsRVdd9VypCgxoC8yIQAvD_BwE