</head> <body background=side1.png> <img src="nat.jpg" usemap=#ecosystem border=0> <map name="ecosystem"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,2,220,52" href="ecosystem.htm"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,56,220,112" href="biodiversity.htm"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,118,220,162" href="../index.htm"> <area shape="rect" coords="3,170,218,274" href="issues.htm"> <area shape="rect" coords="223,3,462,51" href="../../blog/index.htm"> <area shape="rect" coords="828,2,1177,58" href="../../statistics/index.htm"> <area shape="rect" coords="221,358,521,415" href="../../school/index.htm"> <area shape="rect" coords="895,363,1176,415" href="../../tourism/index.htm"> </map> <h1><pre> Until fairly recently, mankind acted as if he could endlessly ex ploit the Earth's ecosystems and natural resources like soil, water, fores ts and grasslands and extract minerals and fossil fuels. However, in th e last few decades, it has become increasingly evident that global ecosyste m has the capacity to sustain only a limited level of utilisation. Biologi cal systems cannot go on replenishing resources if they are overused or misused. At a critical point, increasing pressure destabilizes their natu ral balance. The two most damaging factors leading to the current rapid deple tion of all forms of natural resources are increasing 'consumerism' on the p art of affluent sections of society, and rapid population growth. Both factors are the results of choices we make as individuals. <b><font size=7> What can be done to conserve Natural Resources at individual level ?</font></b> 1. Turn off lights and fans as soon as you leave the room. 2. Use tube lights and energy efficient bulbs that save energy r ather than traditional bulbs. <u>A 40 W tube light gives as much light as a 100 W bulb</u>. 3. Keep the bulbs and tubes clean. Dust on tubes and bulbs decre ases lighting levels by 20-30%. 4. Switch off the television or radio as soon as the program of interest is over. 5. A pressure cooker can save upto 75 percent of the energy requ ired for cooking. It is also faster.
6. Keeping the vessel covered with a lid during cooking, helps t