What We Can Do for the Environment

By Yuko Maekawa

Environmental destruction, global warming, environmental pollution C Today, we have many environmental problems. Now, the earth is dying. If we don't solve these problems, the earth will disappear in the future. We must notice these problems soon and we have to do and change something because of them. Actually, we have already become aware of them, and many people, governments, companies, and institutions around the world have begun to act for the environment. We can do many things for the environment by ourselves. I will introduce some examples we can do easily.

Do you know the word "5Rs"? Nowadays, this word has become popular in many countries. The definition or number of this word is different from country to country; for example, "5Rs" changes to "4Rs" in Korea. In this time, I will tell you "5Rs" in Japan mainly. The definition of "5Rs" in my country is Refuse, Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, and Repair.

1. Refuse: You can refuse to get things which can be garbage after. For example, when you go to a supermarket and buy something there, a person at a register gives you a plastic bag in order to put things you buy in it. But, if you bring your bag from your house, you don't need it. So, you can refuse and reduce garbage. Nowadays, Eco bags are popular in many countries. Thanks to this, the number of people who refuse plastic bags is increasing.

2. Reuse: You can reuse things you or other people use. We can often see flea markets, used shops, and other kinds of these shops. In these shops, we can sell clothes and many things we already used and don't need, and we can get some money by selling something there. And, we can also buy things other people used and sold there. So, by selling things you don't need or buying things other people don't need, you can reuse. For another example, we can send clothes and things you used and don't need to people who need them. In the world, many people don't have enough money to buy clothes or things they need, and you can help them by sending things you don't need. I think that's a good example.

3. Recycle: probably, you know this word. Recycle is the most popular word in the
"5Rs." The resources on the Earth are limited. We can't use them freely for ever. So, we need to recycle the resources we used as much as possible. I think recycling is the most effective and easiest thing we can do for the environment.

4. Reduce: I said before the resources are limited. So, we need to reduce the quantity of the resources we use. To turn off lights, to not use water, oil, electricity and other resources more than you need, you can reduce in many ways. You can also reduce the quantity of garbage. You already know how to reduce them.

5. Repair: Do you throw away broken things soon? If you repair them, you can use them more. It may not be easy, but you should repair for the environment. I found some other words on other countries' sites, like Remake, Renew, and Reform.

Finally, I will introduce two words I found out on another country's site. They're Respect and Rethink. You should respect and thank environment, resources and Earth more. And, you should think about the environment. When you use resources or buy something, you can rethink, "Is it really needed?" We can help the environment in many ways easily. We must notice, know, understand, and do!