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How to Conserve Ecosystems

Conserving ecosystems is not a luxury anymore. It's an absolute necessity if the next generation is going to inherit a world that's livable. Ecosystems are threatened by the encroachment of agriculture and urban sprawl. Mining and deforestation deplete natural resources. Pollution from every sector of human activity places a burden on nature that it can't withstand forever. Although it may sound like a monumental task, people can make individual changes which taken together will go a long way toward conserving the beauty and diversity of natural ecosystems.

Instructions

- 1
  Consume less. Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Designate certain hours of each day to reading or going outside to reduce energy use.
- 2
  Build an environmentally friendly home. Use wood rather than steel and concrete. Install solar panels and consider geothermal heating solutions.
- 3
  Reuse and recycle. Find new purposes for empty containers. Separate recyclables from regular trash and take them to a recycling center.
- 4
  Build a compost station in the backyard. Dump organic food waste on the pile. Stir and turn the pile regularly. Eventually, the compost pile will produce excellent fertilizer.
- 5
  Grow your own herbs and vegetables. If this isn't possible, buy organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables. Food that requires less fuel to get to your plate is better for local and regional ecosystems.
- 6
  Walk or ride a bike for short trips rather than driving. The pollution from motor vehicles is one of the biggest stresses on ecosystems and human health.
- 7
  Visit state and national parks. When authorities see that these natural settings are valuable to their constituents, they will make the effort necessary to keep them safe.
- 8
  Talk to your friends and neighbors. Tell them about the importance of living conservatively. Be persuasive without being pushy.

Nature