Individuals can play an important role in conserving natural resources through their daily actions and choices. Some ways individuals can help include planting trees, reducing consumption of paper and wood products, saving energy by using less fossil fuels and installing more efficient appliances, and reducing water and plastic waste by fixing leaks, reusing containers, and opting for reusable over disposable items. Educating others and making environmentally-friendly choices can significantly contribute to preserving biodiversity, soil, air and water quality for future generations.

1. Role of Individual in Conservation
of Natural Resources

2.  Natural Resources must be preserved and utilizing optimally.
 Resources such as oceans, forests, grasslands and wetlands
are degraded by over use or may be destroyed.
 Because of over use, even biological resources traditionally
classified as renewable becomes non renewable.
Chinese proverb
“If you plan for one year, plant rice, if you plan for 10 years plant
trees, and if you plan for 100 years, educate people”.

3. Some of the roles of individual in the conservation of
natural resources
1. Preserving Biodiversity and protecting the Soil
• Plant trees on a regular basis and take care of them.
• Reduce the use of wood and paper products.
• Restore a degraded one of forest near your home.
• Refuse to buy ivory products, items made of reptile skin, tortoise shell
jewellery, and material from endangered animal species.
• When building a home, save all the trees as for as possible.

4. 2. Saving energy and reducing outdoor air pollution
• Reduce use of fossil fuels which reduce emissions of CO2 and other air
pollutants.
• Plant and care for trees to help absorb CO2. During its lifetime the
average tree absorbs enough CO2 to offset the amount produced by
driving a car 42,000 kilometres.
• Don’t use electricity to heat space or water.
• Obtain as much heat and cooling as possible from natural sources
especially sun, wind, geothermal energy, and trees.
• Lower the cooling load on an air conditioner by increasing the thermostat
setting, installing energy-efficient lighting, Reduce floor and ceiling fans,
and using whole house window or attic fans to bring in outside air
(especially at night, when temperature are cooler).

5. 3. Reducing exposure to Indoor air pollutants
• Don’t buy furniture and other products containing formaldehyde, and the use
“low-emitting formaldehyde” or non-formaldehyde building materials.
• Reduce indoor levels of formaldehyde and other toxic gases by growing
certain house plants. Examples are the spider or airplane plant (removes
96% of formaldehyde), banana (89 % of formaldehyde).
• Remove your shoes before entering your house. This reduces inputs of
particles of dust, dangerous pathogenic organisms and pesticides.

6. 4.Saving water
•Install water-saving toilets that use no more than 6 litres (1.6 gallons) per
flush.
•Check frequently for water leaks in toilets and pipes, and repair them
promptly.
• When washing many dishes by hand, don’t let the faucet run. Instead, use
one filled dishpan or sink for washing and another for rinsing.
•Keep one or more large bottles of water in the refrigerator rather than
running water from the tap until it gets cold enough for drinking.
•Reduce evaporation losses by watering lawns and gardens in the early
morning or evening, rather than in the heat of midday or when it’s windy.
•Use drip irrigation and much for gardens and flower beds. Better yet,
landscape with native plants adapted to local average annual precipitation so
that watering is unnecessary.

7. 5. Reducing water pollution
• Use manure or compost instead of commercial inorganic fertilizers to
fertilize garden and yard plants.
• Use biological methods or integrated pest management to control
garden, yard, and household pets.
• Use low-phosphate, phosphate-free, or biodegradable dishwashing
liquid, laundry detergent and shampoo.
• Don’t use water fresheners in toilets.
• Don’t use pour pesticides, paints, solvents, oil, antifreeze, or other
products containing harmful chemicals down the drain or on the ground.
Contact your local health department about disposal.

8. 6. Reducing solid waste and hazardous waste
•Buy things that are reusable, recyclable, or compactable, and be sure to
reuse, recycle, and compost them.
•Buy beverages in refillable glass containers instead of cans or throwaway
bottles, and urge companies and legislators to make refillable plastic (PET)
bottles available in the United States.
•Use reusable plastic or metal lunch boxes and metal or plastic garbage
containers without throwaway plastic liners (unless such liners are required
for garbage collection).
•Carry sandwiches and store food in the refrigerator in reusable containers
instead of wrapping them in aluminium foil or plastic wrap.
•Use sponges and washable cloth napkins, dish towels, and handkerchiefs
instead of paper ones.
•Use pesticides and other hazardous chemicals.
• Use less hazardous cleaning products.