Blog Action Day: The Planet Earth

Blog action day focuses mainly on climate change and its adverse impact on our environment. There are a lot of ways for us to help protect our planet. In our everyday lives most of us never realise how little things can help make our world greener and a better place to live in.

I have recently been watching the TV series 'The Planet Earth'. I was astonished with the vast diversity of our planet's species. The first episode was entitled 'From Pole to Pole' and it shows a journey around the globe as it reveals the gradual effect of climatic change as season change. It explains why there are sand storms, severe storms, etc. Not being conscious and well-informed on how we can control carbon emissions and save energy, we won't be able to achieve the common goal of saving our planet.

I was particularly amazed by the animals, their habitat and how they interact / survive across different seasons. Our planet is rich with natural resources and so many beautiful things we never have appreciated because we are too busy with our daily lives. If all of us would be able to see the episodes of 'The Planet Earth', then I am more than sure that we will do something to save our planet.

Not all countries in the world are that committed to make proper laws to regulate climate change and impart awareness to everyone. In Sydney, I am proud that there are measures that NSW government is doing to ensure we do our own share to the changing times.
- If we purchase appliances (i.e., washing machine, fridge or dryer), it would indicate how much energy we save. The more stars the better. And they often provide cash rebates if you purchase the energy efficient ones.
- If you book a flight, you can have the option to pay certain amount for carbon emission.
- Energy Australia (my electricity provider) gives out free installation of energy efficient bulbs. I also opted to pay premium to contribute for carbon emissions and some research.

Energy efficiency and water conservation tips:
- change light bulbs to energy efficient white light
- instead of using dryer, use the natural ways of drying things like *under the sun* method
- make most of natural sunny light rather than opening your lights in the afternoon.
- use of appliances efficiently (full loads of washing clothes or washing dishes)
- report leaking faucet and avoid wasting water

Quoting Barrack Obama:
"All across the world, in every kind of environment and region known to man, increasingly dangerous weather patterns and devastating storms are abruptly putting an end to the long-running debate over whether or not climate change is real. Not only is it real, it's here, and its effects are giving rise to a frighteningly new global phenomenon: the man-made natural disaster."

Dust Storm. Tsunami. Earthquake. Storms. Flooding. Drought.

Nuff said. We need to act. And we hafta do it soon.