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Conserving our resources is best done by not using them in the first place. There are obvious ways to reduce our dependence on oil, coal, and other non-renewable energy sources, such as switching to alternative fuels or wind and solar power. Ways to reduce our use of so-called renewable resources are less obvious.

Save Paper

Planting trees can re-grow a patch of woods. Restoring an old-growth forest to its existing status takes decades, however, if not centuries. The power to reduce the carbon in the atmosphere and to act as a specialized ecosystem cannot be recovered quickly.

Reduce the amount of paper you use. Recycle your paper grocery sacks by stamping them with decoration. They make excellent wrapping paper and book covers. You can also take them back to the store with you to carry more groceries. Use the backs of junk mail as scratch paper. Print documents on both sides of the paper. Use newspapers with vinegar to clean glass rather than paper towels and cleaning products.

Look for products with less packaging. Buy cereal that comes in a bag only rather than in a bag and a box. Re-use food boxes for mailing packages when possible.

Help protect rain forests, as well. These may be farther from home, but they are even more critical to the environment as carbon sinks. Yet rain forests are being cleared at an alarming rate to be used for agricultural crops that bring hard-to-come-by money into impoverished nations.

Look for rain-forest-friendly coffee and other products when shopping. Support the efforts of international groups to pay third-world governments to preserve the rain forests within their borders.

Use Less Water

Human population is expanding and so is the pollution of the world's water. Removing that pollution is, in some cases, impossible. Pesticides and fertilizers leach into groundwater or run off into lakes and oceans carrying topsoil with them. Irrigation compounds the problem. Treatment facilities can only do so much to restore water to potable condition.

There are many ways to reduce your own water consumption and contamination. Use natural methods of pest control in your yard. Recipes are widely available for natural ways to protect your flowers and vegetables from insects and disease.

Use drought-resistant plants in your landscaping. You will save hundreds of gallons of water every year. Look for xeriscaping plants that will thrive in your area. Water your yard only in the cooler early morning or late evening so that the water you use goes into the ground instead of evaporating.

Turn off the faucet when scrubbing your hands, teeth, and dishes. Save those half-drunk glasses of water and cups of coffee to water your house plants. Install low-flow shower heads and toilets. Tell your friends and family these tips as well. You'll save a little money as well as reducing the amount of water you use.

There are dozens of ways that you can reduce your use of resources to help preserve the environment. Take a good, hard look around your home and find ways to reduce the amount of natural resources you use. While large steps like roofing your home with solar panels are wonderful, they can be expensive and impractical. Small reductions add up. Spread the word and reduce your use.

Learn more about this author, Mel Bergen.
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