People were using common sense before the environmental movement ever began. We didn’t need doctors to advise us that breathing smoke from burning trash was not a good idea or that polluted drinking water could make us get sick and die. Nobody thought that breathing smog was healthy.

We still need common sense. The difference is that research provides us more information and a better understanding of how to make our environment healthier. “Environment” includes air, water and soil. By derivation it also includes food, medicine and all other substances that we breathe or ingest. More knowledge helps us use common sense more effectively. The first and most useful tool in the environmental arsenal is still the human brain! Some starting points:

• avoid obvious pollution such as burning of trash, dumping of toxins into water or undesignated areas, pouring poisons down the toilet, and littering.
• avoid subtle pollution: pouring unused medicines down the toilet; burning leaves and trees trees; ignoring failing septic systems and faulty exhaust systems.
• keep the use of salt and sand on roads to a minimum.
• divert storm water runoff to wetland sites or holding ponds.
• encourage recycling. Provide adequate containers for paper and plastics, toxic materials and unused medicines.
• keep the use of insecticides, weed killers and fertilizers to a minimum.

Another part of common sense: better to share the responsibility for sound environmental practices. We all live in the same environment. People appreciate tactful reminders and encouragement to do their part. Ask your customers for suggestions and post their ideas.

More heads are better than one.

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