A slew of outdoor events, panel discussions and awareness campaigns mark Earth Day every year. While as urban citizens, we are aware of various ways to conserve the green cover and the necessity to ensure that we are surrounded by congenial habitats to protect the flora and fauna amid concrete settings. But having said that, a close look at our own day-to-day activities would indicate that as individual we are still doing very little to protect the environment and foster a bond with Mother Nature. High-level planning and government policies may not render the desired outcome if we shy away from doing our bit and just depend on the authorities to bring about the change. This Earth Day, let's talk about various methods to go green...Summers can be the best time to have a rerun of the age-old cooling methods that can make our urban setup a better place to live in. Pot-in-pot fridge, clay coolers, herbal hacks and congenial architectural techniques could be the best solution to overheated spaces.It's has become the need of the hour that we acknowledge and understand the extent of damage that trash from homes and commercial establishments can cause to the environment. Although methods and regulations are in place to segregate and handle wastage in a better way, as educated adults we should do our bit not to litter personal or public spaces and teach our children the same.Tapping solar or wind energy in whatever little way possible can be a boon, particularly for city dwellers. Switching to a smart grid where one can monitor the power consumption of each household can yet another way to say that we care for our planet.Give your living room, balcony and even your office desk a green makeover by planting saplings that can not only tackle air pollutants but also add charm to your surroundings. Creating bird burrows and installing small bird baths at home are only going to help stay in touch with nature.There is no coming back from the harm that plastic can cause to the environment. But even though we are aware of the damage, limiting the use of plastic bags in our daily lives seem to be an uphill task. Paper, cloth and jute bags can be the best alternatives for plastic.With major cities of the country grappling with water shortages every now and then, it's time we realize that wasting water can land us in serious crisis soon. Groundwater depletion and rising pollution levels mean that water crisis is not only affecting humanity but also plants and animals. Conservation is the key.Keeping in mind the alarming rate at which the city is swelling with vehicles, very soon we will struggle to catch a breath of fresh air. Traffic congestions and air pollution are problems that can only be addressed if we decide to bring down the number of cars on road and instead car pool or switch to public transport to commute."As conscious citizens, we actually have a huge responsibility towards the well-being of our planet. But unfortunately, the efforts that we make, small or big, mostly end up as posts on our social media pages. However, there are people who are genuinely involved in conservation projects are an inspiration for many. Even though it's something like feeding a stray dog on the road or obeying traffic rules, doing your bit every day is important," says actress Samyukta Hornad."Over the past few years, Bengaluru's oxygen level badly dropped. Underground water resources are dwindling, and the city is getting choked with vehicular traffic and hazardous air quality. What we urgently need are three more Lalbagh Botanical Gardens in different parts of the city. The use of electricity, particularly street lamps and air-conditioners, needs to be monitored in a better way. As conscious citizens, we need to keep a check on our consumptions and adopt more eco-friendly ways of living," says environmentalist Vallish V Kaushik

Stay updated with all the Bangalore Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.