PRELUDE
I woke up that fateful morning like a giant, the mist filled the early hours of the morning, i said my prayer, and prepared myself for my morning lectures. Lots of changes i observed that morning;
I saw lots of dirt around my environment, children from the next compound had littered the environment with biscuit papers, I sighted a sand dume close to my door, I felt like lynching these culprits who littered the environment, the day became brighter, I quickly picked up my broom and swept angrily. Immediately I finished sweeping I conveyed my grievances to my landlady and as well the neighborhood.
They apologized and promised to keep an eye on their children. The cool breeze gently passed through the trees into my room, i asked myself "but why is the breeze flowing in now?" in suspense I conclude that a clean environment is a necessitating factor for good ventilation necessary for attaining a maximal health level. One cannot help but wonder why cleanliness is emphasized, the reason is that 'cleanliness is next to godliness', in essence those who are unclean have a trait of ungodliness.
I believe when we are fair to the bio-systems they would be fair to us. Indeed it is your responsibility to keep your environment clean and healthy.
UPHOLDING A PRICELESS VIRTUE
As a matter of fact "cleanliness is a vital force in the life of a people and nation", as it is a pathway to attaining growth and development. Jesus said "let your yea be yea and your nay be nay", this explains the act of honesty.
We can't call ourselves honest citizens when we throw nylon on the high way while driving, mount
up refuse to the height of the Kilimanjaro, pee and poo on unsolicited corners and empty our waste bins on major roads thereby preventing pedestrian and vehicular movements.
How then do we attain an egalitarian society? Ban Ki Moon said "Nelson Mandela never ceased working for a better and more just world" how about you? "None of us acting alone can achieve success", we have to work hand- in-hand to conquer the ravening monster of uncleanness.
I believe everyone has a degree of kindness within them; therefore keeping your environment clean is an act kindness to yourself, the younger generation and Nigeria at large. I believe if we can start from our little corners, it would extend to the globe.
I see a ray of hope amidst political and social impossibilities, i am optimistic about Nigeria simply going green.
AMELIORATING THE RECENT TREND
According to statistics countries are becoming richer, urbanization is exploding, new technologies are constantly being launched and the global middle class is growing, all of which is changing the global
waste landscape. More money buys more product, increasing garbage from packaging materials, to broken toys, to electronic devices and appliances.
Make use and throw away has become the mindset of the generation following the industrial revolution. As well the environment is suffering, waste driven environmental hazards are becoming a huge headache for many countries as toxic leakages from landfills and plastic in ocean and rivers damage- if not destroy the ecosystem.
Coupled with an insatiable demand for "new" world consumption patterns which are draining our natural resources, while health epidemics emerge as consequences of affluence, I see a ray of hope amidst this because "uncleanness may endure for the night, but cleanliness would emerge at dawn".
I would advice that while shopping, we should bring our own reusable cloth bag instead of accepting plastic bags from the store. We should Plan ahead by purchasing several reusable bags and placing them where we won’t forget them.
Also ask the person bagging your groceries not to use double bags. You can also buy food that has less packaging, failure to observe this would make you see your daily mound of garbage turn into a tiny hill, hence a resultant environmental degradation.
KEEP PLANTS AROUND YOUR HOUSE
Plants are amazing at cleaning their environment. Having them in your house can reduce indoor air pollutants
by more than half. Great choices are English ivy and peace lilies, which absorb toxic gases like benzene and
formaldehyde. Just be sure that if you have pets and/or small children that you opt for plants that are not
poisonous.
LEARN TO HANG CLOTHES TO DRY
The average household does more than 400 loads of laundry in a year. That is a lot of electricity to dry all
those clothes! You can cut this down dramatically by hanging your clothes to dry. In the wet months opt for an indoor drying rack.
When it’s warm outside you can move your indoor rack out to a deck or patio, or use an outdoor clothesline. There are many new styles of clothes lines available now that are easily removable
when not in use or that can be elevated to keep them out of the way.
REUSE PRODUCTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE
Have you ever looked at just how much waste your family generates in a one week period? Manufacturers use so much packaging that it is easy for a family of four to have several bags of waste, next time you’re thinking of throwing something out, try and think of ways you can reuse it instead.
For example old containers can be used for storage, stained clothing can be used as rags for cleaning and broken hockey sticks make great garden stakes. If you get creative you may be surprised how many new uses you can
find for items you thought were trash!
DONATE THINGS YOU DON'T USE ANYMORE
Instead of throwing out items you don’t use anymore, give them to charity. Old clothing, shoes, home décor items, sporting goods and toys are all happily accepted by charities. You’ll have less clutter in your garage and your donation will help families in need.
SWEEPING WALKWAYS, PATIOS AND DRIVEWAYS
Sweeping walkways, patios and driveways would also help to birth a clean environment. Instead of spraying them down with your hose and wasting water, get out the old fashioned broom. This would really help.
They’re just going to get dirty again soon anyway, but a little water can cleanse them once more.
LOOK FOR LITTLE WAYS YOU CAN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Sometimes the best thing we can do for the environment is to make small changes in our everyday life.
When we add them all up, we can make a significant difference. Look at everything you do in a day and
see what you can do differently. For example, if you are a tea drinker only boil as much water as you need in the kettle. If you generate a lot of garbage think of a couple of ways you can cut back on this.
Over this century, it is my earnest hope that this share culture continues, giving us a world where people everywhere are able to interact freely, share ideas, enjoy health maximally and manage waste making us simply green, thereby attaining a secured environment.
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