10 Precepts of Environmental Protection

A few weeks back, I went to a massive vegan banquet dinner as invited by my mom via her boss. I came home with this a postcard that read "10 Precepts of Environmental Protection". It was printed by GreenCompassion.US, but the site is in Chinese. The list made me realize that I could be more conservative in lessening my carbon footprint. I know that for some items, it takes more effort to "do the right thing" than to go the easy route and waste, but if we collectively and consciously waste less here and there, we're contributing to our environment and our personal well being. These are just 10 precepts you can follow:

1. To reduce greenhouse gases, refrain from buying bottled drinks. Prepare fresh water and fruits when going on outings. As less sugar and preservatives are consumed, you will stay healthier and slim.
   
   

2. To help save our Earth, do not purchase any food and merchandises packaged in Styrofoam. Be a responsible merchant or consumer, support the "Green Environment Manufacture Index" of U.N., never buy any product which produces high carbon or packaged with excessive synthetic materials.
   
   

3. One single AA used battery discarded without proper disposal can pollute 600 tons of water and permanently destroy 1 square foot of earth. Use rechargeable batteries for all electronics. Used batteries should be disposed of properly. Identify used battery collecting stations in your local communities, such as Staples stores or local pharmacies. Organize collecting stations within your neighborhood.
   
   

4. Water is the most precious resource on our Earth, only 2% is fresh water and just 0.007 of it is fit for drinking. 13,000 liters water to produce 1 kilogram of beef. The harm of wasting tons of water can never be reversed. We should choose Organic Vegan Diet. Otherwise, the worldwide water sources could run out very soon!
   
   

5. Reducing the water flow from faucet is a good habit. Flushing water at gushing speed is terrible wastage of water! After washing the vegetables, reuse the water for plants and toilet flushing.
   
   

6. Merchant and consumers should refrain from use of plastic bags except for wet products. Encourage use of plant fiber environmental bags. Develop the habit of having several environmental bags on hand for shopping use.
   
   

7. Except using the dinnerware in restaurants, a true responsible environmentalist should keep on hand a simple set of eating utensils and take-out containers. One should also refrain from using one-time disposable chopsticks and dinnerware.
   
   

8. Sterilization for pets or donation to promote and help the sterilization for homeless dogs and cats are the most merciful actions for reducing carbon. Please visit the websites:
   

   The Humane Society of the United States
   NYC Feral Cat Initiative
   

9. Advocating extraneous consumerism greedily is pushing our Earth to extinction. A simplified lifestyle of adequate consumption with content and gratifying spirit will save our Earth!
   
   

10. Seek out and be familiar with your local farmers. Work together and try the best effort to develop the farming of organic vegetables and fruits.
    
    According to the German Annual Food Report 2008: The dietary habit of an individual as compared to CO2 generated by a mid-size car as follows:
    

    DIET	MILES	CO2 REDUCTION
    Meat Eater	2956	0%
    Vegetarian	1508	50%
    Vegan	391	87%
    Organic Vegan	175	94%