Small steps to shrink carbon footprint

How to save the world from the carbon footprint? A big question that cannot be answered just like that by a homemaker like me, but I too have some responsibility to make some efforts to reduce the carbon footprint. So how?

I am a plant lover; I enjoy bringing up small potted plants. Since I am in a rented apartment, I have to opt only for small plants. I cannot wish for a tree, so I always have a plant or two depending on the space available. Recently, I saw potted plants that could be hung anywhere inside the house. They are available in beautiful colours, designs, and models. They are not plastic but ceramic, tied to a strong thread that too, with beautiful designs and shades. Different kinds of indoor, outdoor, air-purifying plants and so on. This gave me an opportunity to buy more and hang them at all the available places in the house. My garden of two or three plants became a big one, but I had to spend some money to bring up this type of garden. This gives me pleasure, a bit of pure air that lifts the mind and the body.

I have a question and a suggestion: Why cannot the government give such plants and pots as Deepavali and Pongal gifts? The government could also pass a Bill that every person should have one plant in their name, and then every house will have at least a minimum of three plants in their house. If the government makes it mandatory and provides everything, people will surely go for it. Some greenhouse will be naturally created in every place and in every house. Hanging pots, small pots, cup pots, veranda pots and terrace plants. If this becomes a rule, house owners will not object renters from having plants. But awareness of how to maintain it, water and cleaning should be given so that the greenhouse process can continue and be effective without disturbing the property.

If this works out, then I would suggest that the same thing should be done in schools also: every school should have a small garden and every child should be given an opportunity to handle the garden. This will give them a hands-on experience. Every child should be taught to care for the plants and water them, they should be taught not to waste the water in their school bottle, they should use the excess water to water the plants.

Instead of putting up big flower shows, that money can be spent on giving plants and pots to create a small green scape.

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