Your morning matters: Transform daily habits into eco-hero moves!
Mornings aren’t just for chai and news anymore – they’re your secret power to save this planet. Every year on June 5, we celebrate World Environment Day, a global call to action for protecting the planet. But what if you didn’t need a campaign to be an environmental hero? What if your everyday morning habits could become a ritual for change? Remember, going green starts right at home – even before your first sip of tea.
Your first 60 minutes set the tone not just for your day, but for the ambience or surroundings too. From the products you use to the energy you consume, your choices multiply across millions of people. When small actions get multiplied by the population of a country like India, it can create waves of impact.
Let’s break down the morning activities and turn it into a planet-saving ritual – one green step at a time.
Are you starting your day using a plastic toothbrush? It takes more than 400 years to decompose! Swap it with a bamboo brush, easily available online or in supermarkets. Opt for steel razors, wooden combs, and cloth napkins.
Don’t just turn off your fan or light – unplug appliances including geysers, chargers, or kettles when not in use. Many of us keep them on standby mode, which can drain power (known as phantom energy).
The face wash or shampoo you use daily are loaded with chemicals that not only harm your skin but also pollute water sources. Choose herbal alternatives like neem soap, herbal shampoo, multani mitti – which are deeply rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom.
These are not just good for nature, but also kinder to your health and pocket.
Are you a person who cannot begin the day’s work without tea? Skip the plastic tea bags and try loose-leaf tea or filter coffee. Use plant-based milk during tea preparation. Use steel utensils and say no to electric kettles unless absolutely needed. In spite of disposable cups, use steel or ceramic mug.
What are you doing with the kitchen wastes? Are you just throwing them away? That's not a sustainable habit at all. Use the potato peels to prepare crispy snacks. Other vegetable peels can be easily converted into compost for future gardening purposes.
Before heading out, do a quick waste check. Segregate wet, dry and e-waste. Teach your kids, house help, or parents to make a habit of embracing sustainability.
Avoid using your own car daily. Carpool, take the metro, cycle, or simply walk for short errands. Many cities now offer e-rickshaws and EV cab services.
Fun fact: If only 1% of car owners in Delhi switch to cycling for short trips, the city can instantly cut lakhs of kilograms of carbon emissions in a year!
On this World Environment Day, set your “Eco-Alarm” and pledge to change just one habit each morning. Share your journey on social media and people around you to inspire others to rise, shine, and act green!
In recent times, World Environment Day is not only about planting a few trees or posting hashtags on social media. It’s about genuinely waking up to our daily impact and rewriting the story of how we live sustainably.
Remember, no step is too small. No effort is wasted. Every Indian can be part of this change. Make your mornings meaningful. Let your routine reflect your values.
