Why protect the environment?

Most of us suspect that the planet is struggling with problems, whether it is the climate, the polluted environment or the loss of the planet's greenery. But this state of nature is also reflected in our environment: cities are unhealthy to breathe in, we ingest microplastics from the water every day, and tonnes of litter have to be removed from the countryside every year. Nature sometimes helps itself, but we humans can pollute it hellishly fast. Let us be good partners and help her manage our spontaneity. If we want our children to be healthy, we have to get involved.

Our attitude

Like others, we want a healthier environment and to eliminate the negative effects of human activity. We believe that a small action speaks louder than a thousand words.

• We select activities that everyone can take, and in small steps to do something for ourselves and for the environment.
• The impact of activities is measurable - try our applications that we try on ourselves!

So what are our themes? What will we influence as individuals or as part of a community?

1. Shopping, recycling and garbage

If the economy is doing well, people like to buy. And that's okay. Why not treat yourself to a crispy croissant? But we ask: do we have to wrap it in a microtene bag? Does it have to come to us from the other side of Europe? The average household in an advanced economy produces at least over a tonne of waste a year (in the Czech Republic 1.3 t www.samosebou.cz ). Multiply that by the number of families in the state and you get a "very respectable" number. It is becoming increasingly difficult for both developed and developing countries to dispose of waste efficiently in a way that does not burden the environment.

What is the right way to approach the things we buy?

• Let's only buy things we really need and consume. We will not help the environment by buying goods in bulk at sales because of the low price.
• If you are a shopping maniac and you can't be without shopping, send on the unnecessary stuff. You can sell them at a second-hand market or donate them.
• Let's shop locally. Shipping goods from the other side of the world puts 10 times more strain on the planet than if you shop locally. Plus, you're supporting the local economy.
• Reduce the use of disposable (especially plastic) packaging. If you eliminate the purchase of disposable bags, packaging or products (like straws or toothbrushes), you've got a thumbs up! E Each type of roll or vegetable does not necessarily have its own packaging. As well as saving the environment, you'll also save trips to the bin with your rubbish.
• In addition to buying a cloth bag, purchase your own coffee cup.. Cups, unlike plastic, don't recycle very well and usually end up in mixed waste. If you take your coffee out several times a day, you'll significantly reduce the waste that cups create over the course of a year.

2. Travel

By travelling responsibly, we contribute to clean air in cities, but we also support the planet's climate. And we can save money too:

• LLimit car trips at least occasionally and try to use public transport or suburban transport . You will not only save money and exhaust gases, but you'll also have time to read a book or magazine.
• Ride a bike. This mode of transport may not be for everyone. If you have health problems or ride through busy intersections, cycling is not the best solution for you. But if you live near a bike path, try using it occasionally. Just for the sake of interest - some studies say that in terms of emissions, the use of public transport is more suitable than cycling. But surely you agree that a city full of cyclists will be healthier than a city full of cars.
• Do not drive a car alone. If you make arrangements with three colleagues or friends on the way to work, two cars can stay in the garage and you all save significantly.

3. Maintenance of Green

Trees and greenery are important both for the world's climate and for making hot summers in cities bearable. With the current summer temperatures, cities are turning into hotbeds and city services are failing to adequately care for the greenery, which is increasingly dying. We are happy to encourage public interest in local trees through the WaterMe.cz app. We also support tree planting in villages and towns, as well as directly in the countryside where it is needed, especially now after the bark beetle calamity. After all, caring for trees can be so enjoyable!

4. Less common ideas: to reduce beef and paint roofs on white?

Some topics may seem new and unusual, but current studies support their effectiveness:

• Do not eat too often beef . Do not eat beef too often. If you can't imagine life without a good steak, have one occasionally, but the research is clear: large livestock (especially beef cattle) are a major source of methane, which contributes to the planet's greenhouse effect. Humans have always kept large herds of animals, but feeding today's billions of mouths also requires many times the number of cattle.
  There are other reasons to limit the frequent consumption of red meat:
  • Earlier in history, people did not routinely eat as much meat as we do today. Meat was eaten mainly on holidays and Sundays.
  • Health statistics show that frequent consumption of red meat contributes significantly to cancer. (Association between meat consumption and risk of breast cancer).
  • Large-scale farms - the conditions for animals to live in are not always good.
• Limit the use of lifts.
• Reduce the absorption of heat into the environment and choose the appropriate roof design. So-called green roofs are fashionable, where areas are planted with vegetation, but simpler solutions are also available. A suitable coating will reduce overheating of the area in summer. This will be appreciated not only by the people in the attic, but also by the environment. It is recommended to use light colours for roof painting. . If we can reflect back at least 1% of the sun's radiation, we can stop or significantly slow down the warming of the planet.

Water maintenance in landscape, cities and villages - the future theme of the application?

We don't have this topic in the app yet because it is not easily measurable from an individual's point of view. Nevertheless, it is another big "eco" topic of today. During the cold months, the water reserves in the landscape are replenished, there is seemingly enough water, but during the summer there is a significant water shortage. Streams and rivers dry up, farmers' crops dry up. Is there anything we can do about this as individuals?