Why Nature Broke Up With Humans Before Valentine

The month of February is marked with beautiful moments like Valentine’s Day and an early pay cheque. These lifelines offer relentless love and hope for people looking forward to a fruitful year across the surface of the world. Considering the alarming rate of pollution during the yuletide, this February sensation may pose another dreadful heartbreak to nature and the environment.

While lovers crave a fluffy teddy bear to prove their affection, the environment fails to bear the wrath of individuals, groups and institutions who care less about sustainability. The scathing effect of man on the environment caused many natural hazards in the year 2017. We are 45 days into the new year yet the incidence of human-induced natural hazards has claimed many lives all over the world.

Death is inevitable. The love and attention we give our environment determine how long we shall stand at ease on this earth. We are running out of natural resources like quality air, fresh water, fertile lands and forestry. The ecological services provided by these lifelong gifts from the earth have been met with daunting exploration tactics by unfazed individuals.

This is not to raise a debate about the shape of the earth but you have to understand that, the earth has rounded up the life expectancy of Homo sapiens. In order to avert tragedies baked by the scorching sun, we need to realign our commitment to protect the earth; the majestic orchestra for a symphonic love life.

There are umpteen human activities that derail our divine relationship with the earth. We have to put away with them before the nature breaks up with us.

Here are five lifestyle choices you and your beloved have to fall for this valentine.

Avoid single-use plastics

Single use plastics mimic people who come into your lives only when they need a favour. These ‘disposable’ polyethylene materials threaten waste management companies and aquatic life. They generate income to suppliers yet the add no value to your life. They also chemically contaminate food content at high temperatures. Many endangered marine animals like whales, seals and turtles perish due to indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste in the oceans.

Don’t waste food

Why bite more than you can chew? We understand you have to eat healthy but do not waste food in the name of ‘yOlO’. The law of conservation of matter states that, matter can neither be created nor destroyed but can be transformed into different states. Buy what you can consume, save money and convert genuine waste into compost to start another cycle. If you value the sweats of a farmer and the energy dissipated to generate funds for daily upkeep, you will live sustainably.

Join Public Transport or Walk

Ghanaians have developed an unfounded love for automobile in recent years. Our underdeveloped road networks cause vehicle owners locked in traffic jams to bewitch foot-soldiers who make the same journey without carbon emissions. Riding a bicycle to work reduces your carbon footprint and restores air quality. You can also carpool or join public transport to reduce emission of harmful oxides of sulfur, nitrogen and carbon. Consider your safety at all times.

Save Energy

Failure to regulate energy consumption results in high tariffs.We are in an era where utility bills is costlier than rent. The earth provides natural energy systems like solar, thermal and hydro-electricity to drive economic growth. You can find a way around this by replacing heavy duty appliances with energy efficient alternatives. Light bulbs, water heaters and refrigerators are keystone appliances that waste energy. Remember to turn off all electrical gadgets when they are not in use.

Conserve Water

How many litres of water do you waste daily? Water is life and this adage is not fading away until everyone departs the earth. Water systems support many lifeforms ranging from terrestrial organisms, amphibians and aquatic species. You can save water by reducing flow rate during use, recycling treated water, harvesting rainwater and securing groundwater for future use.

This year's Vals day has to be remarkable for mother earth. We can only show her love by restoring depleted natural resources, proper disposal of waste and using energy efficient appliances.

Remember, Environment is Life, Pollution is Death.

Happy Vals Day Wonderful People!!