Thousand of years ago, our ancestors lived without making much of an impact on the natural resources of the planet. That's why there's not much trace of them for archaeologists to find (although they did manage to polish off the big mammals like the mammoth and sabre-toothed tiger).
We, on the other hand, are burning up our natural resources and polluting the planet like there was no tomorrow. Given that our descendants will not think much of us if there is no tomorrow worth living in, what can we do about it?
The secrets are to achieve more with less and to work with the natural processes that kept the world going for those millions of years before the advent of `Progress'.
Some of the following suggestions are easier than others; some are ok for country dwellers but impossible for high-rise tenants; and, paradoxically, some are easier for those on low incomes. So here's 25 ideas from which you can pick and mix. Remember, they may apply equally to home, place of education or workplace. And have fun doing them - if it's a chore, you won't keep it up for long! Why not check them and see how many you do already? Find out how you rated.
Boycott goods with unnecessary packaging.
Boycott food and drink from distant countries and support more local produce - think of the energy used to transport it here!
Choose the most environmentally friendly products - especially detergents and bleaches - but be careful about inaccurate claims by manufacturers.
Remember the three Rs - re-use, repair, recycle! They're more beneficial in that order - it's better to find another use for something or to use it again; if it is broken, repair it; and if you can't do either, take it to be recycled. Anything is better than landfill! (Check out our Recycling Resource Guide.)
Remember that the more complicated a product, the more energy went into its manufacture - choose and use wisely, or make old products last longer. This applies to cars too, as long as you ensure it runs efficiently. Buy low energy appliances.
If you have money to invest, choose an ethical scheme - comparable benefits and a more positive use for your assets.
Find ways of enjoying yourself that involve less travel and buying fewer things, such as sport.
Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit; cut down on processed food; avoid meat if you can. Get your protein from cereal and milk, grains, beans, dairy produce.
Reduce your water use.
If you can, compost your kitchen refuse and, if you can't use it yourself, give it to someone with a garden or allotment. Some councils run composting schemes.
Find out about a local food co-op that buys food cheaply from an organic source -and join it - you won't regret it!
Consider collecting urine for use as a fertiliser and installing a composting toilet, or reusing your greywater (from the bathroom and washing machine).
Take care of yourself - with a good diet, exercise and complementary medicine.
Consider getting involved in something to improve your local community. Look out for local permaculture groups and Local Economic Trading Systems. Help to create and keep wild and natural areas safe from urban development.
There's only so much citizens can do, so consider joining a pressure group, local or national - like Friends of the Earth, a transport or animal rights group, Earth First, Greenpeace, WWF, Oxfam, the World Development Movement or our own Alternative Technology Association.
There's a fourth `R' - Respect. You need it, and so do the natural world and all people. It's called living in harmony.
