Are we still in time?

Faced with this reality, a pertinent question arises… Do we still have time to “save” our planet?

The answer is controversial. On the one hand, we can no longer recover what we lost and all the harmful gases emitted or forests cut down. According to the conclusions of the study by researchers from the University of Aarhus, in Denmark, and Gothenburg, Nature would need 3 to 5 million years to recover the biodiversity that is expected to be lost in the next 50 years.

Faced with this reality, a pertinent question arises… Do we still have time to “save” our planet?

The answer is controversial. On the one hand, we can no longer recover what we lost and all the harmful gases emitted or forests cut down. According to the conclusions of the study by researchers from the University of Aarhus, in Denmark, and Gothenburg, Nature would need 3 to 5 million years to recover the biodiversity that is expected to be lost in the next 50 years.

However, we still have time to avoid the major catastrophes that will happen if we don't change our lifestyle. If you want to become a more alert person to sustainability issues and do everything possible to make the Earth a greener planet and a place where future generations can live, here are some tips on things what you can do:

1 - Reduce water consumption. This includes not taking immersion baths, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and hair and not leaving them dripping and even opting for a double flush toilet.

2 - Reduce energy consumption - turn off the lights in the rooms you are not in, change normal light bulbs for a more economical version, unplug electronic devices when they are not in use.

3 - The 3 Rs: Recycle, Reuse and Reduce. Before you start recycling, try to reuse as much as possible. This extends the useful life of the object and avoids having to throw away a material and buy a new product. Therefore, this practice reduces the amount of raw materials, water and energy needed to manufacture new consumer goods and reduces pollution. Recycle your waste correctly, separating not only plastic and paper, but also glass, electronic waste and batteries.

4 - Don't use your car so much - Cars are responsible for emitting a large amount of polluting gases into the atmosphere. Choose public transport, walking or cycling and, if you can't do without a car, carsharing.

5 - Sustainable diet. When you go shopping, give preference to organic and biological products, which are grown to promote ecological agricultural practices and have a positive impact on the ecosystem. Try to reduce the amount of meat (especially red) you eat - to raise cattle, you have to deforest a huge territory, use large amounts of water and, finally, cattle emit greenhouse gases in abundance, being quite polluting on a large scale .

6 - Support causes and companies with sustainable values. The most effective way to promote change is to opt for more ecological entities. Whenever possible, choose products with a sustainability seal and brands that you identify with most. You can also donate to organizations and NGOs that work with environmental causes.

Maria do Mar Sousa, 11/09/2021