The River Tara – a national symbol of our beautiful natural world. The clear azure waters flow through the UNESCO-protected canyon and is a breath-taking sight to see. But, like everywhere in the world, it is still under threat from global warming. The following is just three of the numerous problems it faces:
- Climate change will increase the temperature of the water with dangerous knock-on effects on aquatic life
- There will be greater algal blooms affecting the nutrient levels in the river
- Increased storms and rainfall intensity can lead to more sediments and other contaminants entering the river leading to more “silting up”.
- Changes in the flow of the river from faster ice melt will also affect the quality and pH balance of the water
If we sit back and do nothing, the consequences could be fatal.
Today is Earth Day and a chance to think about our impact on the world. There is so much that needs to change as air contamination, climate change, ocean pollution, loss of biodiversity and land grab all continue to threaten the health of our home.
At Porto Montenegro, we have been prioritising green initiatives for years creating one of the most sustainable places in the country. From using electric vehicles, recycling systems, biodegradable materials and solar panels to investing in Seabin, partnering with the Montenegro Biological Institute, monitoring waste disposal and more, we are always looking for innovative ways of making sure we are protecting the environment we live in and safeguarding Mother Earth for generations to come.
But what more can we all be doing at home? Here are a few ideas from Global Citizen that will help make a difference and we encourage you to change a habit (or two) to support the change that is so desperately needed.
1. Reduce electricity use: Power plants that supply your home with electricity are a significant source of global emissions. You can reduce electricity consumption by turning off the lights when you leave a room, unplugging appliances that aren’t in use, and turning off outlets when you’re done with them.
2. Limit how much air conditioning you use: Air conditioners — from the ones in fridges to the ones that cool down homes — have a huge warming effect on the planet.
3. Hang dry laundry and wash with cold water: Washing and drying your clothes in machines, while convenient, uses a significant amount of energy. You can minimise your laundry-based carbon footprint by opting to wash your clothes with cold water and hang drying your clothes when possible.
4. Come up with creative ways to reduce food waste: Around a third of all the food produced in the world gets wasted. Not only does this exacerbate the global hunger crisis but it also has an enormous environmental impact. Try out food waste recipes, make sure to eat your leftovers and freeze vegetable scraps to make a soup stock.
5. Reduce your plastic footprint: From buying a reusable water bottle to carrying a reusable bag with you at the grocery store, there are countless ways to reduce your plastic footprint.
6. Experiment with a meatless Monday: From deforestation and methane emissions to water use, the meat industry has an enormous impact on the environment. You don’t have to give up meat entirely — but replacing it with an alternative once or twice a week can go a long way toward reducing your footprint.
7. Repair items instead of replacing them: Instead of throwing out broken household items, you can watch YouTube videos or take a digital class on how to repair them.
8. Drive less: You’re probably driving less anyway during the pandemic, but this Earth Day is a good time to commit to driving less in the aftermath to reduce carbon emissions. Instead, use alternative modes of transportation including biking, ride shares, and public transportation.
Wishing you all a very happy Earth Day and we look forward to a cleaner future together.
Should you wish to find out more about our green initiatives here on the ground, please contact us on info@portomontenegro.com