“The greatest threats to any species are loss or degradation of habitat, harmful invasive species, human population growth, pollution, climate change and overexploitation”
Discuss three ways in which you could apply this concept to make your lifestyle more environmentally sustainable.
It is often said “What can I do, I am only one person?” However, Mahatma Gandhi believed, “We must be the change we wish to see” (The Global Tribe, 2003).
This blog entry will discuss three lifestyle changes that may reduce the effects that degradation of habitat, harmful invasive species and climate change has on many organisms.
1. The refusal to purchase take-away coffee in disposable cups has beneficial outcomes for the environment. It has been said that Australians throws away around one billion coffee cups per year; which equates to six million trees, and creates over 5,500 tonnes of landfill annually (Micup, 2010). Choosing a re-usable cup can help to alleviated the impact that this affluence has on the habitat of numerous species. Better yet, make one at home, or go without.
2. Join the battle to stop the cane toad from crossing the WA border and into the Kimberley’s by enlisting with the Kimberley Toad Busters. Cane toads were deliberately introduced to control pests of sugar cane; however, as they have few predators, and are poisonous throughout their life cycle, the toads have had devastating effects on many native animals and plants (Australian Museum, 2010; KCT, 2010).
3. Carbon footprint reduction with hopes to slow down climate change. Methods include using fuel-efficient modes of travel, such as walking and bicycle riding; installation of energy efficient lighting; employing solar power; and ‘refuse-reduce-reuse-recycle’ (Miller & Spoolman, 2009, p. 278).
Although insignificant in number; as one member of the most dominant species on the planet, it becomes self-evident that there are individual lifestyle choices that can be made, to lessen the impact that one being has on the environment.
As sung by Michael Jackson (1988), we have to start somewhere:
“I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
References: Cameron, E. (2010). Australian Museum: Cane toad. Retrieved from http://australianmuseum.net.au/Cane-Toad
Jackson, M. (Singer and Producer). (1988). Man in the mirror [Sound recording]. USA: Epic Recods. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbzMsIcp6fI&ob=av2e
Kimberley Toad Busters. (2010). Fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.canetoads.com.au/
Micup. (2010). Retrieved from http://micup.com.au/did-you-know
Miller, G. T., & Spoolman, S. E. (2009). Sustaining the earth. (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brookes/Cole
The Global Tribe. (2003). Global citizens. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/kcet/globaltribe/change/index.html
3 Eco-Comments:
Hi Sharon,
The cane toad problem is very serious. Who was the bright spark that introduced this animal into the region? It makes me wonder how much research is carried out before these decisions are made.
Sharon... Your passion in this unit inspires me! Your three points are all fantastic ways to live more environmentally sustainable. I am so glad there are amazing people out there catching those awful cane toads! Looks like I am going to have to purchase a coffee cup to take to mollie bean in the morning so I dont feel guilty about the cup :)
Thanks for the read!
Michelle
I didn't realise that Australians threw away so many cups! Indeed it will be able to help the environment save a lot of trees and hopefully reduce carbon emission. I didn't really think of these cups until you turned up to class with one! It's a brilliant idea and doesn't cost too much as well.
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