environment

In light of the recent United Nations climate report, it's important we all do our part to protect the environment. According to the report, we only have 12 years left to reverse climate change without creating catastrophic damage. If this disturbs you, I do have good news: You can make a difference. The battle has just begun, and we all need to take part in it this time around. Here are 5 ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and put a stop to climate change.

Celebrating Earth Day shouldn't just be about mouthing platitudes—how about we get up and make a concentrated effort to de-stress our planet by reducing our carbon footprint and being eco-friendly?

Many people take water for granted: Either they waste it or they simply don't appreciate it.  But here's the thing most people forget: There's only so much water on this earth, and we can't make any more of it. Sure, there's a lot of water on earth, but did you know that 96.5 percent of it is too salty for human consumption? Not to mention two thirds of the remainder (freshwater) is locked in polar ice, permanent snow, and glaciers.

Young people are mobilizing to create healthier environmental futures. A packed conference held this February in San Francisco brought together hundreds of middle- and high-school students from nine Bay Area counties to discuss the climate change crisis. A large focus was on creating real transportation choices that minimize air pollution and promote strong families and communities. Young people discussed safe ways to bicycle, carpool, and take public transit.

More and more states are jumping on board for the Plastic Bag Ban, and with good reason. Plastic makes up a big chunk of the landfills here in the United States. These bag bans are strategies being put in place in order to reduce the use of plastic carryout bags from grocers and other retail stores.

Reducing waste and damage to the surrounding are is something that we've been talking about a lot recently here at Basmati.com, and something that is becoming increasingly important. In order to minimize my environmental impact, I've started to use some alternatives to the everyday household cleaners we use that are safe for the environment.