Environment means anything that surrounds us. It is where all living things thrive and reproduce. An ideally healthy environment has clean air, stable climate, adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, and a preserved nature, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Ang maayos na kapaligiran ay sagana rin sa mga puno at halaman. Plants and trees help clean our water, soil and air, hence making our environment a safer and healthier place to live in.
Pero paano kung isang araw ay magising ka na lang na wala nang mga puno, hayop at tubig sa paligid mo? Na ang nakikita mo lang ay puro basura at halos ‘di mo na makaya ang sobrang init ng araw? How do you think you will survive?
We human beings play a significant role in making our surroundings safer. If you make healthier lifestyle choices for you and your family but fail to do something against poor environmental conditions, optimum health will be nearly impossible. The WHO reports that in 2016, 13.7 million deaths or 24% of global deaths were due to modifiable environmental risks. This means that almost 1 in 4 of total global deaths are linked to environmental conditions. Non-communicable diseases including ischaemic heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases and cancers are the most frequent disease outcomes caused by harmful environmental practices. Ambient air pollution accounts for an estimated 4.2 million deaths per year due to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. Around 91% of the world’s population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits.
Kaya kung iniisip mong hindi ka naman apektado ng pagkasira ng kalikasan, nagkakamali ka.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a good reminder of the delicate relationship between this planet and its people. The global disruption caused by the coronavirus has affected the environment and even our climate. Dahil sa mga restrictions at pagbagal ng takbo ng buhay nating lahat, bumuti ang kaledad ng hangin at nabawasan ang polusyon sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. However, due to increased use of PPEs (e.g disposable face masks, face shields, hand gloves etc.) and their indiscriminate disposal, waterways are clogged and biodiversity is threatened.
This is why we, as inhabitants, are constantly encouraged to take an active part in protecting Mother Earth. Let’s continue our fight against plastic pollution. UN agencies and partners are firm in saying that if effective measures are put into place, the amount of plastics discarded annually can be lessened, or even eliminated. Makiisa sa waste management efforts ng ating pamahalaan at LGUs. To properly dispose of face masks, face shields and gloves, cut them into pieces and put them in a bag. Never throw them in your recycling bin. If they are used with COVID-19 patients, make sure to write “RISK OF CONTAMINATION”.
We can also do our part to help keep our waters clean. Ang mga sakit gaya ng typhoid, cholera, dysentery, jaundice, amoebiasis at malaria ay maaaring makuha mula sa kontaminadong tubig. Nasa 2.5 milyong katao ang namamatay sa buong mundo taon-taon dahil sa maduming tubig.
The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) is reminding Filipinos of the 3R’s especially this Christmas season: reduce, reuse and recycle and compost. Recycling means turning used items into new items. For example, plastic bottles. We can use them as pots for plants. Reusing is to use the items again like plastic bags. They can be used to make Christmas lanterns. Replace gift wrappers with tote bags or any reusable bags. Instead of using paper plates, paper/plastic cups, and plastic spoons, use the washable ones. Let’s not make our garbage situation worse this Christmas. Some NGOs have helped stay-at-home moms start their own recycling business through empty juice pouches. Maraming paraan kung gugustuhin lang. Composting is making use of food waste as soil fertilizer instead of bringing them to landfills. The wastes in landfills produce greenhouse gases that worsen climate change. Other human activities that affect the environment may cause pollution, over-population, and global warming.
At this point, our planet has reached unsustainable levels. Kaya mahalagang gawin natin ang parte natin habang may oras pa. Each of us has an outstanding role in keeping our environment safer for everyone.
Our environment is important for us now and the generations to come. Paramount Direct is one with the world in celebrating World Environment Health Day this September 26. In our own little way, we’ve started our efforts to help reduce carbon emissions by going paperless in most of our transactions. Maraming salamat po sa inyong pakikiisa.
Lahat tayo ay mayroong magagawa para tulungan ang ating mundo. Let's all #redirect towards a greener future.