What is the single best thing you could do to help the global environment?

Question

I have an idea of my own and I want your opinions. Tell, me your idea and I will give mine later, so please check back.

Please keep it to a single thing you could do (that is possible and practical).


Some examples (but not the thing I'm looking for):

Recycling.

Driving less/commuting.

Living off the grid.

Going vegetarian.


(These are just random examples, tell me your idea).

4 answers so far and no one is really thinking... )we have a long way to go).

4 answers so far and no one is really thinking... )we have a long way to go).

OK guys, that answer is NOT HAVING CHILDREN.

Think about this: since you can not control how your children will behave as adults, you must conclude that they will pretty much behave like average adults. No matter what you do, NOTHING will have as big an impact as having no (or less children). Every child you make will simply destroy the environment as much as you do (or probably more).

I know a lot of people will not like this answer. But it is true nonetheless. I’m not saying you should regret anything now if you already have children. But if you really want to do something good for the planet, do not procreate. If you really want children of your own, there are plenty of unwanted children in the world who need good homes.

Ancalago... There are over 6 billion people on the planet. Do you really think we're in danger of (not) breeding out of existence? Why don't people think about these things? If we were sucessful enough to convince 75% of the population not to have children we would still continue to add more people to the planet (given current birth rates).

The Jaffacake: I think it would have helped if you had read the question and details.

Answer 1

don't reproduce

Answer 2

To suggest we stop breeding is paradoxical nonsense; if we die out as a species we can no longer influence the environment in ANY way - good or bad. Also we won't be around to observe whether or not this self destruct program has achieved it's aim.
As human beings we find ourselves stuck on a rock in space, the resources we need to live on are limited. We find the native environment hostile to us, so we need to modify it in order to survive. The modification uses the resources - when they are used we're finished. The only hope for survival is the colonisation of space and the search for energy and materials in the solar system beyond the earth. Any luddites that disagree with this are in an evolutionary backwater - let them stay behind and die out.

Answer 3

I would agree with going veggie, but you have to be careful with it (especially when it comes to soya!). General energy consumption is greatly reduced.

The easiest way to illustrate this is that if you eat a cow, you don't take into account what the cow has eaten in its lifetime and how much land is needed to feed a single cow. But if you just eat what the cow eats you cut out the middleman, using less energy and less space. This would reduce deforestation and mean more land could be set aside as nature reserves. But other than this, the best thing you can do is TAKE THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY.

Answer 4

I think leaving things on standby and leaving mobile chargers plugged in can cause more damage than we think.

Massive cars are really, really bad to the environment. Walk or cycle when possible.

Plant more trees in your garden or around your area, they basically recycle harmful emissions.

Recycling helps alot because we are turning our waste into useful material instead of dumping it in the middle of nowhere to decay and emit harmful gases.

A simple thing to do is to not leave the tap on when brushing your teeth and have showers instead of baths when possible.

These are a few non-life changing things that benefit our environment, hope this helps :)

Answer 5

Use Public Transport more than your Private Vehicle and walk within 1-2 KM of distance .

Answer 6

Basically the best single thing you can do for the enviroment is to DIE. You stop using up resources hence you are not polluting the atmosphere., plus your body breaks down into fertilizer (natural of course) replenishing the earth.

Answer 7

DEFINITELY going vegetarian. I did a whole project on it when i was in high school (5 years ago).

-saves rainforests
-cuts down on pollution, (the number one source is cow poo)
-eliminate cattle farms, which would cut down on the food consumption, leaving more than enough food to combat world hunger.

It's just the smartest, most compassionate way to live.

Answer 8

1 very simple solution. Do not use bottled water. Tap water is perfectly safe to drink. It has flouride to help teeth. It doesnt cost 1.00-3.00 for 16 ozs. it would reduce the amount of trash and or recyling necessary. you would save money.

Answer 9

Save energy and reduce air pollution by turning off your computer!

Answer 10

Quit relying on fossil fuels! Easy as that people. Biodiesel,hybrid,electric cars, you get my point.

Answer 11

Suicide. If you are not alive, you cannot consume and contribute to waste.