Green Prudence: Practical Suggestions on Protecting Biodiversity and Human Health

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Practical Suggestions on Protecting Biodiversity and Human Health

by the Harvard Medical School Center for Health and the Global Environment

The choices we make in three main areas of our lives—the food we eat, the way we live in our homes, and how we transport ourselves– have greatest potential to cause environmental damage and threaten biodiversity. Making better choices in these areas could improve the environment and slow the loss of biodiversity.

The Food We Eat

Seek out sustainably-harvested fish. Several organizations provide information on what kinds of fish to buy and which ones to avoid, and these are listed below by region:

For North America:
Blue Ocean Institute
Environmental Defense
Monterey Bay Aquarium

For Europe
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)--Switzerland and International
Marine Conservation Society

For Asia-Pacific
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society
Australian Marine Conservation Society
WWF Hong Kong

Seek out locally grown food whenever possible - find your area’s farmers’ markets (www.localharvest.org/) and Community Supported Agriculture (www.csacenter.org).
Help limit the extent of land under agricultural production by eating less meat and more cereals, fruits, and vegetables, and generally eating lower on the food chain (www.foodalliance.org).

The Way We Live in Our Homes

Choose appliances and home heating systems with high energy-efficiency ratings (www.energystar.gov).
Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs – they use a fraction of the electricity (e.g. a 15 watt compact fluorescent bulb gives off as much light as a 60 watt incandescent bulb) and last up to ten times as long.
Plant trees around our homes, which can reduce energy costs from air-conditioning by as much as 25%.
Switch to an energy supplier (electric company) that offers energy from renewable (wind, wave, or solar) power sources. Alternatively, look into purchasing green energy certificates that support alternative energy systems. (www.eere.energy.gov).
Recycle paper, cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles if our communities participate in these programs.
Recycle electronic equipment (Cell Phone Recycling and Donation Programs:www.eiae.org Computer Take Back Options: www.epa.gov/e-Cycling/donate.htm).

How We Transport Ourselves

Lessen personal vehicle use; make one trip instead of several a week to the supermarket, and carpool to work.
Urge local authorities to make our towns more pedestrian- and bicycle- friendly and walk or bicycle to work when possible.
Encourage local authorities to improve public transportation services and use them (trains, buses).
Make sure our cars are well tuned, and that their tires are properly inflated.
Consider buying smaller, more fuel-efficient and less polluting cars, or hybrid gas-electric vehicles.

Our Own Back Yards

Managing the green spaces around us for biodiversity is something all of us can do, and even the smallest back yard or apartment balcony can become a haven for wildlife. Here are some tips for use in our own back yards:

Choose plants suited to our local soil type and climate. Avoid plants that need a lot of fertilizers and water. www.biodiversityproject.org/5%20Ways%20Campaign/5waysbackyardpress.htm.
Seek out indigenous trees, shrubs, and flowers--see “Increase Backyard Diversity” (Audubon) www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/wildlife.html; “Rethink Your Lawn” (Audubon) www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/rethink_lawn.html, “Designing for Wildlife” (Plant Native) plantnative.com/how_wildlife.html.
Put in plants that attract wildlife like the “butterfly bush” (Budlea spp.) for butterflies.
Avoid using pesticides. Choose plants that are naturally resistant to pests and use biological control agents and natural predators like nematodes and lady bugs http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/human.htm.
Use organic fertilizers and mulches such as barnyard manure and compost made from kitchen waste