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Positive Human Activities Which Affect the Earth

There is an ever-growing emphasis on "going green," and with good reason. Factories pump nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air at alarming rates; automobiles produce harmful amounts of carbon dioxides, and keep us dependent on fossil fuels; electricity is responsible for almost half of the man-made carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change; and pesticides and insecticides pollute our lakes, streams, rivers, and even our drinking water. It might look grim, but there are many ways we can go about positively affecting our planet.

Recycling
- Every year, Americans throw away about 28 billion recyclable bottles and jars, and produce an estimated 200 million tons of garbage. Make an effort to recycle your cardboard, glass, and plastic disposables, and this will put a significant dent in the percentage of disposables that go to landfills. It is easier than ever to recycle, as most garbage companies provide recycling containers for use, along with garbage cans.
Composting
- According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yard trimmings and food waste together make up more than twenty-three percent of the disposables that go into landfills. Composting helps reduce the amount of solid waste that finds its way into landfills. Compostable materials can be broken down and used for fertilizer or mulch, promoting healthier soil composition and plant regrowth.
Community Clean Up
- Organize a community clean-up event with friends, classmates, or local business and affiliate groups that are known for their positive contributions to the environment. It can be as simple as getting a group of people together to plant trees or pick up litter. You can even contact your local public works department or parks department to see how to go about adopting a highway or park.
Use Rechargeable Batteries
- There are two basic battery types used most often in the home: Primary cells and secondary cells. Primary cell batteries are built with a charge, and once you use up that charge, they are ready to be discarded. Secondary cell batteries --or rechargeable batteries -- can be charged up to several hundred times before needing to be discarded. Initially, they might be more expensive, but they wind up paying for themselves over time. Batteries contain toxic chemicals, and it does the environment good if we can recharge and reuse our batteries as much as possible. Most cities and municipalities have hazardous waste disposal sites where you can discard the old batteries and other toxic materials that should never go into the regular garbage.

Nature