This January 10, 2024, in the Facebook Parents 2.0 forum, lady ANNE STEPHANIE NDONKO, gave a captivating presentation on the theme “INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY, SMALL GESTURES THAT SAVE”. This ”ecological activist” proposed twenty-five gestures of eco-responsibility to adopt at home. With his permission I am publishing his entire presentation on this blog.
My dream is to create a world where man is in perfect harmony with nature.
Anne Stéphanie NDONKO
Who is Anne Stéphanie DONKO?
“I am ANNE STEPHANIE NDONKO, I would call myself an environmental activist, because my dream is to create a world where man is in perfect harmony with nature. JA urist by training, I studied public international law, and specialized in environmental and sustainable development law. I am currently working in a waste recycling company where I am responsible for collection and CSR, and at the same time president of an association for the protection and preservation of the environment based in Douala.
Anne Stéphanie NDONKO Credit: Parents 2.0 Facebook group
The responsibility that is mine this afternoon is to talk to us about the theme INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY, SMALL GESTURES THAT SAVE. To bring us to the point, it would be appropriate to rephrase as follows INITIATION TO ECO-RESPONSIBILITY, ACTION TO TAKE
WHAT IS ECOLOGY?
Ecology is a science whose subject is the relationships of living beings (animals, plants, micro-organisms) with their environment, as well as with other living beings. See dictionary.
Lecology is interested in the study of ecosystems, that is to say all the living organisms in a region, their interactions with their physical environment. This discipline helps us understand the functioning of ecosystems, their evolution over time and the way in which they are affected by their surrounding environment. It is therefore a question of understanding how organisms interact with each other and with their environment, as well as the repercussions of these interactions on the entire ecosystem.
Definition of ecology. Credit: Projetecolo
The challenges of this discipline are numerous. It addresses issues such as deforestation, air and water pollution, soil pollution and even global warming which present major dangers to the environment and the lives of living beings.
Ecology allows us to understand problems linked to the environment and to find solutions to prevent or mitigate them.
Anne Stéphanie NDONKO
Ecological movements generally adopt an approach that aims to preserve the environment and reduce the negative impacts of human activity on the planet. They emphasize the need to develop a more sustainable lifestyle, making it possible to reconcile economic growth and environmental protection. This is where the concept of eco-responsibility is born.
What is eco-responsibility?
Eco-responsibility is the act of adopting responsible behavior towards the environment, and aims to limit the impacts of human activity on the environment.
It is difficult to talk about eco-responsibility without mentioning sustainable development, which is the capacity for man to satisfy his current needs without compromising those of future generations. This notion finds its basis in the Brundtland report which marks the general awareness of the climate threat. It is therefore a question of using resources sparingly.
The Sustainable Development Goals. Credit: UN
How to practice eco-responsibility at home?
It is important to note that in its very essence eco-responsibility allows us to avoid waste in all its forms, and by adopting these eco-responsible behaviors, you can help preserve the environment and maintain balance within your home. .
The 12 principles of eco-responsibility. Credit: lespagesvertes
Here are some eco-responsible behaviors to adopt at home:
A-Reduce energy consumption:
Turn off lights when you leave a room. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. Avoid leaving electrical appliances on standby and unplug those that are not in use. Use curtains to regulate the ambient temperature in your home.
B- Save water:
Fix water leaks quickly.Collect rainwater to water plants.Use a jump for your bath.Do not leave the water running for the duration of the bathCollect water in a container while you do the dishes…. VS– Reduce waste :
Favor products with as little packaging as possible. Encourage the use of reusable products rather than disposable ones (water bottles, plastic bags, etc.). Always go to the market or supermarket with a reusable bag preferably. Separate your garbage and throw it in a garbage bin. Reuse what is reusable, especially bottles that can be used to store food, water, etc. Recycle what you can recycle, for example by making art objects… for example, with an empty wine bottle you can make a pretty flower potCompost organic waste instead of throwing it away. It is a recycling technique that allows you to reuse your organic waste to fertilize plants.
D- Use ecological products:
Opt for environmentally friendly cleaning products and cosmetic products. This is often mentioned on the label. Limit the use of harmful chemicals.
E- Promote sustainable food:
Consume organic and local products when possible. Reduce meat consumption and favor sustainable protein sources contained in fruits and vegetables. Reduce food waste by planning meals and using leftovers.
F- Promote biodiversity:
Plant trees, flowers and native plants in your garden. Avoid the use of pesticides and favor ecological alternatives. The principle of waste sorting. Credit: Mont-Arance-Gouze-Lendresse Town Hall
NB This list is not exhaustive, it is just indicative
What are the consequences?
Adopting eco-responsible actions is beneficial for the household, with the only negative consequence of influencing our habits and being a little restrictive knowing that our society imposes consumption patterns on us which evolve with our social status.
Strategy for changing your habits. Credit: Holistic Psychology
It is sometimes complicated and restrictive to force yourself to buy a shopping bag and carry it around every time you go shopping when you can afford to buy plastic packaging every time you go to a store. supermarket.
How to instill it in children at home?
Eco gestures are easily passed on to children when we make them a lifestyle. Children have the particularity of taking the form that we give them. We must then adopt eco-responsible behaviors to better pass them on to children.
On a more practical level, doing small recycling workshops with children can be interesting.
Presentation presented in the Facebook group Parents 2.0
Also read: Hikers, don’t waste nature: Keep your plastic waste with you!