Five simple ways to prevent the loss of biodiversity and protect our natural world

We can all do our bit to prevent the loss of biodiversity and protect our natural world. Here’s five simple things you can do. 

1. Change your personal care products 
   We all know about plastic packaging and its impact on the environment, but did you know what is in products can also be made of plastics and microplastics? According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), eight million tonnes of plastic ends up in the world’s oceans just from personal products!   
   
   Small changes such as swapping your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one or creating homemade exfoliating scrubs with sea salt and sugar can help make a difference. Check out the UNEP’s Clean Seas initiative for more tips.
   
2. Keep an eye on your energy use
   According to a 2020 study, the greatest proportion of an individual’s carbon emissions are from home energy usage. When it’s cold, it’s tempting to turn the heating up, but turning down the thermostat could save 0.01 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, while properly insulating your house could save an average 0.895 tonnes.  You might also consider switching to an energy provider who uses renewable sources.  
   
3. Rethink how you travel 
   Recently, France passed a new law requiring advertisements about cars to include messaging urging customers to consider environment-friendly travel alternatives. Car sharing, walking, cycling and taking public transport are great green options. During the coronavirus pandemic more virtual meetings have prompted us to rethink not just how we travel, but if we need to travel. Many conferences and events can be held just as efficiently virtually with almost none of the harmful effects on the environment. 
   
4. Consider your consumption
   Could you buy some of your vegetables, meat and other groceries from local farmers or producers to reduce carbon emissions and protect biodiversity?  Could you move to eating plant-based products a few days a week? If everyone increased the number of vegetables they eat, we could see carbon emissions fall by 29-70%.
   
5. Support our conservation work
   We urgently need to find ways to halt biodiversity loss and take action to combat climate change.  Our work to conserve South Asia’s biodiversity, protect nature and promote coexistence between all living things is helping protect animals, people and our planet. Your donation will continue to support our pioneering work helping people and wildlife to live closer together in harmony.