Now you know how to behave, to respect nature and other users. But walking in natural surroundings is not the only way of helping to preserve nature.

Every day, in your behaviour and your actions, you can help nature and contribute to its protection. You will then become a citizen who cares about the effects of his or her actions on the environment. We call this an eco-citizen or an eco-player.

There are different ways of travelling around. We often tend to think that cars are the easiest, most comfortable solution. In certain towns, public transport systems are well developed and much quicker. If you can, use your bicycle as much as possible and suggest to your parents that they do the same! Don't forget that this nature which we all want to protect has also given you feet for walking!

When you are a consumer, i.e. when you buy, eat or use products, they are often packaged. No doubt you have heard of sorting waste. This means separating rubbish at the time it is thrown away, according to the material from which it is manufactured. We usually separate glass, plastic, old papers and cardboard, and aluminium containers.

Why do we do this? It is simply so that they can be recycled, and new products can then be made from the ones which have been thrown away. This reduces the amount of waste, and therefore rubbish tips, which will be banned by law in 2002. Don't hesitate to ask at your town hall for information on the waste sorting facilities in your town or village.

Water is a resource without which life would be impossible. When you run water from the tap, it is discharged and treated in a purification plant. It is purified. There are many problems in the world in relation to water. The more the population increases, the greater the water consumption. Purification takes much longer than consumption. In addition, the quality of water is becoming poorer and poorer due to the different domestic, industrial and agricultural pollution which is discharged into rivers.

The problem of water is the problem of the people who use it. Therefore it is everyone's problem. Don't forget, either, that while you are lucky enough to get water when you turn on a tap, there are many people in other countries who are not so lucky. Think of them sometimes.

If you ask yourself questions about your lifestyle and its consequences for the environment, don't hesitate to put your questions to the adults you meet: your parents or teachers. But you should also be aware that they do not always know all the answers!

Eco-consumption means being concerned about the effects of your consumption choices and acting accordingly.