Come, Save the Earth from Home!

The decline in economic activity and production processes drastically due to lockdown and Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) during the COVID-19 pandemic has apparently had a positive impact on the earth. Researchers say that pollution levels have now decreased and the air is getting cleaner. This proves how human activity has been so destructive to nature. 

So, must an outbreak strike first before the earth has time to heal itself? What can we do as followers of Christ to care for the earth?

Protect the Earth: Start with Yourself

When God created the earth and all that is in it, it was all good. “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed, it was very good (Genesis 1:31a).” After that, He assigned mankind to manage the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). However, because of human greed, the natural environment entrusted by God has grown increasingly damaged, and its destructive effects continue to this day.

World Environment Day every June 5 is one reminder effort to preserve nature, especially amid the widespread burning of forests and the mass disposal of waste. Various events that encourage environmentally friendly lifestyles are held, such as tree-planting activities, recycling workshops, household waste processing, and cycling competitions. The goal is to raise shared awareness of the importance of protecting the earth.

Large-scale efforts to protect the earth are carried out by the government, among others by creating regulations for industrial waste processing. Authorities also impose firm sanctions on forest burners and illegal loggers, and support research into environmentally friendly fuels. With the right policies, it is hoped that production processes and national economic activity can continue while still preserving the environment.

As Christians, we too must support efforts to protect the earth from every form of destruction. We do this as an expression of gratitude to God, who has given us His world to live in.  

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it. – Psalm 24:1

The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth He has given to the children of men. – Psalm 115:16

There is no need to change professions and become an activist or environmental advocate in order to contribute to caring for nature. Everyone can save the earth through good habits carried out in each of our homes. The scale may be small, but if done together, the effect will certainly be great.

Taking advantage of this World Environment Day moment, let us pay attention to some of our habits at home. Have we been saving the earth, or have we instead been unknowingly damaging this earth that we love?

1. Minimize Waste with 3R

Reduce (Reduce)

In a week, how many times do you go shopping, and how many people are shopping around the world? I once counted that I received at least 20 plastic bags in one shopping trip. Not to mention when buying meat, the plastic has to be doubled so it does not dirty the other groceries. In fact, the residents of DKI Jakarta alone can produce 1,000 tons of plastic waste every day!

Plastic is a single-use container and wrapping material favored in Indonesia. We use it briefly, but it takes decades or even hundreds of years to decompose. Piles of waste now settle on the ocean floor and pollute the water. In the long term, this condition can endanger our own health through the consumption of seafood. 

We, especially mothers, play an important role in reducing plastic waste by bringing our own bags / sacks when shopping at the market or supermarket. It is true that bringing bags or boxes is a little inconvenient. But if it can save the earth, why not? Be a pioneer who can inspire others to reduce plastic waste. 

Preparing several boxes or containers in the trunk of the car is also good anticipation. If at any time you want to stop and buy something on the way, you can simply use those containers. Besides minimizing waste, your vehicle will also be spared unpleasant odors because the groceries are stored in tightly closed containers.

Reuse (Reuse) 

Rather than throwing clothes and used items into the trash, it is better to give them to those in need. Invite members of your community to donate usable secondhand goods to orphanages regularly. It may be that what is useless to you becomes an extraordinary blessing to someone else. 

When traveling, bring a reusable drinking bottle that can be refilled instead of buying packaged drinks. Use a handkerchief instead of tissues. Use a steel straw instead of a plastic straw. By doing these things, we take part in saving the earth from destruction.

Recycle (Recycle) 

Used items at home can be recycled into a number of useful things. With a little creativity and the many guides available on the internet, you can turn used water bottles into plant pots; popsicle sticks into phone stands; used cans into pencil holders; and more. Besides minimizing waste, you also save money by using recycled items. 

If you are less interested in handicrafts or do not have time, you can collect used items and donate them to recycling organizations in your city.

2. Green Your Surroundings with Plants

Take a look at your yard, boarding room, or apartment balcony: are there any green plants? Even if your yard is not large, perhaps you can still plant a tree. If there is no empty land, keep plants in pots or garden hydroponically (using water as the medium). No matter how small your living environment is, it will surely be more beautiful and fresh with green plants.

If ornamental plants add beauty to the home and refresh the eyes, food plants such as chili, ginger, turmeric, or vegetables can provide cooking ingredients. Not only will this make you more economical, produce from your own garden is certainly healthier and cleaner.

Imagine if every house had at least one tree; surely the air would be cooler, and this would reduce global warming. 

3. Make Saving Energy a Habit

You are certainly familiar with the slogan “save energy, save money.” Unfortunately, many people have not yet formed energy-saving habits. Even if we are able to pay our electricity or water bills, saving energy should still be practiced, considering the earth’s limited resources. One day, it is not impossible that we will face an energy crisis. 

Build this good habit starting from home. Buy energy-efficient electronic equipment. Turn off lights, AC, television, fans, gadgets, chargers, and running water when not in use. Teach our children to save energy from an early age. Though they may seem trivial, these small habits can protect the earth from excessive exploitation of energy resources.

The earth is our only home, so there is no reason not to care for it as best we can. Do not wait for a pandemic, before we restrain ourselves from damaging nature. Care for the earth through a number of good habits that begin in each of our homes, namely minimizing waste (3R), planting trees, and saving energy. Happy World Environment Day!

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References:
www.jawapos.com/jabodetabek/22/07/2019/volume-sampah-plastik-di-jakarta-1-000-ton-setiap-hari/
www.liputan6.com/global/read/4214052/kadar-polusi-udara-dunia-menurun-selama-pandemi-corona-covid-19
tirto.id/mengenal-jenis-sampah-yang-perlu-waktu-lama-untuk-hancur-ejFk

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