Guilty or not guilty? Most women are guilty of contributing to air pollution in African homes. Climate change education is yet to evolve as an important part of community healthcare practice. Unfortunately, educators in elementary schools are yet to prioritise this knowledge in the scheme of things. A major city like Port Harcourt in Nigeria is experiencing a gradual increase in the number of patients with lung and heart diseases related to air pollution. The presence of soot in many communities in Port Harcourt has raised concerns on the long term impact of air pollution on the health of many Nigerian citizens.
Hence, to mark this year’s edition of the International Women’s Day, we want to examine some of the ways that women can help in contributing to cleaner earth in Africa.
- Drive Less
Do you know that the impact of the fumes from your exhaust pipe and those of other road users can contribute to global warming? Most career women in Africa live to drive in order to commute easily with their children and groceries. If you have no such noble reason, please drive less to save the earth.
- Avoid burning waste
Many women need to step up their game in the area of waste disposal. While some women blame this habit of burning up waste on the failure of the government to collect waste, there are more creative ways that the citizen can convey grievances than to harm one’s self.
- Wash laundry in cold water and line dry
Many urban women consume a lot by using a dryer for their clothes. The good news is that green compliant people dry up their clothes in the sun to preserve the ecosystem through the natural water cycle vis-a-vis evaporation.
- Avoid Disposable Dinnerware
Use washable dishes, utensils and fabric napkins rather than disposable dinnerware. It may appear to be so old school and tedious but our traditional ways of doing dishes in Africa have proven to be eco-friendly. Plastic ‘wokeness’ pollutes the earth.
- Explore Cleaner Energy
Instead of firewood or charcoal, use a gas cooker. Clean your burners to avoid the burning of spilled food particles. Use a lighter instead of matches to light fire.
- Use Natural Sun to Dry Your Hair
This requires planning ahead. Wash your hair and let nature’s heat dry it. You can wash your hair and towel dry before you go and do other outdoor chores such as watering the plants or sweeping. Don’t outsource everything that is beneficial for your physical and mental well-being.
