To keep in existence; maintain. Conserve A growing human population must come to terms with the finite nature of the resources available to them. Every year, at our current levels of consumption and pollution, we edge closer to total ecological collapse which can only be averted through a re-evaluation of our daily routines and practices. Take shorter showers, turn down the heat, turn off your A/C, and turn off your lights when you leave the room. Choose ethically Opt for more environmentally friendly and economically fair products such as local, in-season, organic, and fair trade. Embrace life and all living things The planet belongs to everyone and everyone belongs to the planet. Treat other life forms with respect, dignity, and care. Grow a garden / plant a tree Cultivating a garden, no matter how small, connects us to our environment and reminds us that beneath all this concrete is living soil that is waiting to be uncovered. Extensive tree planting in cities reduces the effects of smog and beautifies our surroundings. The ability to produce your own food reduces your dependence on transnational agricultural corporations that exploit foreign labour for the sake of profit. Go Veggie By avoiding eating meat and animal products, you leave a smaller ecological footprint, reduce your chances of contracting cancer and cardiovascular disease, and open yourself to a whole new range of amazing food choices. A vegan or vegetarian diet is also an effectively way to boycott the unnecessary mistreatment of animals. Use hemp Hemp is an incredibly diverse plant; capable of providing protein and vitamins through its seeds, as well a fibre suitable for paper and cloth. Hemp "wood" can also be used as building material, reducing our need to log already endangered forest habitats. It can be cultivated in a wide range of climates and grows significantly fast, thus cutting the costs of production and economizing resources such as fossil fuels and water. Ride a bike The bicycle is the most efficient form of human powered locomotion. The low impact nature of cycling makes it an accessible and environmentally friendly, not to mention fun method of transportation. Think long-term By the age of only six months, each Canadian has consumed as many resources as the average person in the developing world consumes in his or her lifetime. If consumption plays a big part of our identities lets work at making better and wiser choices. Is saving a few nickels on non-biodegradable, wage slave-produced commodities worth the long term social, cultural, and environmental devastation it causes? There are a myriad of accessible and ethical options out there.