EARTH EXPLOITATION FOOTPRINT

Wondering what is “Earth Exploitation Footprint”!! Ah, we are glad to have grabbed your attention here.

Our team at Live Organik have put their minds together and coined this expression to indicate the impact of human exploitation on the environment. It is a term to express the graveness of how we all have been exploiting our mother earth - directly or indirectly.

Through this article, we just want to bring your attention to the biggest concern of these times – How are we exploiting ‘Our Mother Nature’

There is one cost which is money, we pay to buy things. And there is another cost which our environment pays when we buy these things.

Organizations such as Global Witness and the United Nations have documented the connection between human activities and its impact on nature. Human activities have been depleting and degrading more and more of the Earth's natural capital. Did you know that according to a study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), more than a third of Earth's natural resources have been destroyed by humans in just thirty years! Our actions have stressed plants and animal populations as well. Population of wild animals has reduced by 60% in the past 50 years. In mammals’ alone extinction rate is now 55 times higher than before humans existed.

"When nature thrives, we thrive. When nature falters, we falter"

There is more and more development. More and more trees are being cut down than ever before. More carbon emission and pollution than before. There are animals on the verge of extinction. Plastic Pollution is a global concern affecting wildlife, marine life, soil health and our planet.

There is more Environmental destruction, Forest Fires, Draughts, Global warming than before – all because of the imbalances caused by Human activity

There is Exploitation in various fields

• Exploitation of Natural Resources
• Deforestation
• Mining
• Burning of fossil fuels

The natural resources are under immense pressure, mostly due to the sophisticated equipment now used in quick extraction of natural resources, leading to more stress on natural resources.

The culture of consumerism is another major contributor. The materialistic needs lead to the mining to produce unnecessary commodities for human life or advancement. Consumerism also leads to extraction of resources for the production of commodities necessary for human life but in amounts excessive of what is needed, because people consume more than is necessary or waste what they have. Excessive demand often leads to conflicts due to intense competition.

One of the leading causes of extreme commercialization is New Innovations and the change of Technology every few months. And as a consumer of modern-day world, we are forced to keep ourselves updated with this fast-paced life.

Fashion industry is one of our planet's biggest polluters. The Apparel Industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emission and 20% of global wastewater.

Other major polluting industries are Energy, Transport, Agriculture and Food Retail.

Then there is substantial population growth which requires more and more resources.

Consequences of these exploitation are disastrous.

• Climate Change
• Deforestation
• Imbalance in ecological system / Extinction of species
• Soil Erosion
• Water crisis
• Global Pollution
• Extinction of animal species 

We as a consumer too are a part of this exploitation.

Now the Question is how we, as a consumer, are exploiting our planet.

1. Fast fashion and changing trends frequently
2. Buying more than we need
3. Wasting food & water
4. Excessive use of plastic in our daily life
5. Improper management of waste segregation and lack of recycling

 "Be the change you wish to see in the world". – Mahatma Gandhi

We spend billions of dollars to find life on other planets and trillions of dollars killing life on this one. We are at an age where we determine Nature’s survival.

The biggest question of the time is the need to create a future where both people and nature thrive, where there is a balance with nature, where we can achieve a sustainable existence on earth.

Lack of awareness among people is very striking. People are not aware of ways to reduce depletion and exploitation of materials. We need to assess the pressure our lifestyle puts on the planet. First step in controlling this exploitation is being aware of it. Awareness leads to more informed choices.

Together we need to take personal & collective action. Simple actions make huge impact!!

Believe in the power of everyday Managing our assets wisely is the key to sustainability.

• Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – Understanding the importance of 4Rs is crucial if we want to protect our environment. It is an extremely important tool in our fight for a better planet.

• Make Composting a part of your daily life - Most of our home waste is sent to garbage landfills where they rot and release methane & carbon dioxide into the air. Composting organic waste can help in reducing the overall impact on the environment. Composting at home not only keeps the material out of the landfill; it keeps the material from being transported too! Compost, acts as a natural source of essential nutrients for the soil and can improve soil fertility. 

• Make Sustainable swaps – With many sustainable brands coming up in the market, it is now easy to make sustainable swaps. There are many options to choose from be it clothing, to beauty brands, to food and home essentials. Choose brands that make sustainability a top priority, that use recycled plastic or materials rather than brands that continuously add to the landfills. 

• Choose Reusable Products - A little change in our habits can have a big sustainable effect. For instance, opt for reusable bottles, reusable straws, reusable dishrags over paper towels, reusable grocery bags over paper or plastic bags, reusable food storage containers. These helps reduce waste and use our resources wisely. 

• Conscious consumerism – The first step to be conscious is by being aware of climate change and pollution related to each purchase. Opt for companies and products that support ethical and fair trade, that put planet and people first, making a positive impact. Ways you can be a conscious consumer is by incorporating minimalist lifestyle, eliminating impulse buys and distinguishing between necessary and unnecessary buys.

• Buy Ethical Products - They help save natural resources, reduces carbon footprint, saves animal lives and requires less water. It also supports fairer and safer working conditions, doesn’t support child labour and is healthier for people and planet.

• Buy Local - Buying Local, unpacked food at farmer’s market has many benefits – It allows you to consume fresh vegetables & fruit, buy plastic free when you carry your own reusable grocery bag and helps reduce carbon emissions from transportation.

• Buy Organic - Organic foods often have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, higher food quality and tastes better, than their conventionally-grown counterparts. It helps to maintain environmental health by reducing the level of pollution. It maintains soil health. Organic food decreases human and animal health hazards by reducing the level of residues in the product as they contain fewer pesticides and chemicals. They do not use genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and hormonal treatments. It supports small farmers, animals are treated better and is better for your health and for the environment.

• Choose Sustainable Food and Beverages – Buy from brands or companies that that creates a sustainable environment, that follows sustainable agricultural practise, or sustainable food distribution system, or offer sustainable packaging. They contribute to local economies, avoids wasting natural resources or avoids contributing to climate change, and makes positive contribution to the welfare of the farmed and wild species of animals or plants. 

• Buy packaged free items – Carry our own reusable container 

• Downsizing our wants – Evaluate your wants, buy what is necessary and donate what you don’t require. 

• Save Energy – Switch off the power when not required, unplug chargers when not needed, limit the consumption of air conditioners, washing full load of clothes in washing machine. These are some examples of saving on the energy. 

• Conserve water – Take shorter showers, using buckets while bathing, using half flush in toilet, turning of the tap when not in use, use of dishwasher are some ways we can conserve water. 

• Avoid food wastage – Wasting food is destructive for the environment. According to surveys, each Indian home throws away almost 50kg of food every year. When food rots with other organics in landfill, it gives off methane gas, which is 25x more powerful than carbon pollution. Preventing food from going to waste is one of the easiest and most powerful actions you can take to save money and lower climate change footprint by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and conserving natural resources. Lots of effort and resources are required to produce foods and wasting. When we are wasting food, we are wasting resource.
  
   

• Recycle/ Reuse paper - Using recycled paper to make new paper reduces the number of trees that are cut down, conserving natural resources. Recycling paper saves landfill space and reduces the amount of pollution in the air from incineration. 

• Choose Sustainable Billing Options - Sort through your bills and try to go paperless as much as possible. E-billing makes your life easier and is better for the environment. 

• Make Transportation Adjustments – Walk, run, cycle, bike for short distance or where ever possible. It’s a great way to get exercise and reduce your reliability on fuel/gas. Opt for an electric car or bike. Try to avoid automobiles as much as possible as it will help reduce carbon emissions. Use public transportation or opt to carpool, offer to drive coworkers and friends. Small consistent actions really add up over the long run! 

• Cut Down on Plastic - Every year, thousands of sea turtles, seabirds, and other marine mammals die because of plastic. Plastic is not biodegradable, so it ends up in landfills unless reused by a brand committed to sustainability. So, cutting down on the plastic immensely helps. Simple swaps like bamboo toothbrush, body, shampoo & conditioner bars, wood combs help avoid plastic consumption 

• Plant more trees & bee loving plants – This we all know and needs no elaboration, along with the importance of trying to make most of the living trees survive and not cut them down further for development.

Hope we have inspired you to make positive changes within you and around you. And yes, once again stressing on to plant more tree. It’s the least we can do!