Resolve to Conserve
It is hard for us to accept that there are threats to our environment. There are many conservation concerns that affect us locally as well as nationally. Resolve to pay more attention to the activities of our daily life, individually and collectively, that have implications for the environment. Conservation is a way of life whether you live in an urban or rural setting.
Some simple changes you can make that will make a difference:
- Burn fossil fuels efficiently in your vehicles and in your home.
- Decrease your use of electricity.
- Consume water as if it is in limited supply.
- Make use of yard waste without burning it or sending it to a landfill.
- Dispose of household, garage, and garden hazardous waste in a manner that keeps it out of our surface and groundwater.
- Support forested areas and plant trees.
- Control erosion of topsoil faster than it can be replaced.
- Protect recharge areas for community and private wells.
- Keep waste materials, including tires, out of waterways.
- Plan development without using prime farmland.
- Care for waste treatment and septic systems properly.
- Conserve the soil at construction sites.
- Provide for run-off from streets and parking lots so that pollutants are not carried into streams and rivers.
- Seal properly unused wells.
- Control insects and weeds without chemicals.
- Manage animal waste and fertilizers.
Conservation is a work in progress. It is not a one-time act; it is a way of life. We dare not act as if these issues do not exist. As we enjoy the resources we have, we need to resolve to do our part to keep the conservation process going, to protect our natural resources for all of us.
Conserving Our Sacred Water
Protecting and conserving the Earth's water supply is absolutely vital for our survival. Our water is truly one of God's gifts, but it is rapidly depleting as we continue to exhaust supplies and contaminate groundwater resources.
Over 60% of all water used in the US comes from groundwater supplies. Contamination occurs when man-made products such as
- gasoline
- oil
- road salts
- and chemicals
seep into the groundwater and cause it to become unsafe and unfit for human use.
Some major sources for these contaminants include:
- storage tanks
- septic systems
- hazardous waste sites
- landfills
- and the widespread use of road salts and chemicals
What We Can Do
- Adopt pollution prevention and conservation practices to protect water supplies. Manufacturers can use fewer toxic raw materials and consumers can switch to phosphate-free detergents and other less hazardous household products.
- Become more aware of your actions when handling chemicals such as oil and gasoline to avoid spills and risks of runoff and contamination.
- By simply reducing the amount of water used on a daily basis, you can help our water supply last longer. Here are some helpful hints to reduce the amount of water you use:
- Turn faucets off while brushing your teeth or washing dishes
- Check indoor and outdoor faucets and all plumbing for leaks or drips
- Adjust nozzles and shower heads to conserve water
- Help protect our water on the local or community level. Learn more about potential sources of contamination in your community and take action to reduce and / or regulate these sources.