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TAKING ACTION TO reduce
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Individual changes that will make a difference to the global climate crisis

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  1. Food wastage & composting
     

  2. Water consumption
     

  3. Plastic consumption
     

  4. Annual flights
     

  5. New purchases

Looking at what all of us as individuals can do;

 

  1. Food waste – currently estimated at 10%. Pay closer attention to Use By dates. Freeze excess for another day – those take away boxes from the George & Dragon are great for this! Compost as much as you can in your garden – peelings, uncooked fruit & veg, coffee grounds, teabags (if no plastic content).​
     

  2. Water consumption – if you have a water meter you could take regular readings or use the readings on your annual statement to monitor your usage. Stop using a sprinkler for lawn / garden. Install water butts from your gutters and use this for garden watering. When you next replace appliances (washing machine, dishwasher) look for water consumption data – always run with a full load or see if your washing machine has a half load programme.
     

  3. Plastic consumption – don’t buy bottled water EVER, our free domestic supply is perfectly drinkable – use a refill bottle for when you are out and about. Have your refill coffee cup ready for when pandemic restrictions ease. Refuse excess plastic wrapping material in shops and supermarkets – buy loose produce, take reusable net bags, take away boxes are ideal for butcher and fishmonger.
     

  4. Annual flights – as travel returns to normal think really carefully about how much you choose to fly, support the UK with a regular staycation option, much of Europe and even further afield is readily accessible by rail, use long haul flights VERY sparingly. Consider making a carbon offset contribution via a recognised charity – many projects exist, for example helping communities in the developing nations invest in solar power and less polluting stoves.
     

  5. The “stuff” we buy comes with a carbon footprint because of the materials needed to produce it and the transport to get it to us – and recycling / disposing of items causes a further carbon burden. Making things last a bit longer, look for repair options before replacing, being a bit less fussy about the latest gadgets, consider “previously loved” (posh second hand!) items.

TAKING ACTION TO change
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Longer term individual actions that will make a difference to the global climate crisis

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  1. Switch to a green energy tariff
     

  2. Go Vegetarian 2-3 times a week
     

  3. Switch investments to green companies
     

  4. Invest in solar panels
     

  5. Switch to an electric/hybrid car 

And with a little more effort we could change these things, some may take a little longer, some need investment, but all will make a difference.

 

  1. Green electricity tariffs are now at least as cheap as others, many supplier options are available on the comparison sites. There are a few offering “green gas”, which is typically achieved by using ~10% of gas from biowaste digesters and including a carbon offset payment to cover the balance.
     

  2. Unless you really want to, we’re not saying give up all meat. But eating much less red meat (make it a treat), looking for local meat supply and organic when available, and exploring vegetarian menus for 2 to 3 days a week  - will make a great difference.
     

  3. If you have savings invested and/or can influence a private pension – look at where your funds are being put, many “green” options exist, in fact many advisors see this as a better than market average choice because so much attention is being given to this sector. And conversely, the pressure on businesses such as petrochemicals will keep ramping up with carbon taxes likely to feature as a disincentive to force market change.
     

  4. Solar panel prices continue to trend downwards – although the heyday of feed-in tariffs has gone, there are still incentives available.
     

  5. Electric vehicles – remember that the sale of new petrol/diesel cars and vans will be banned from the end of the decade, hybrids will be allowed for longer. Next time you need to change our car, make it electric or hybrid. We believe prices will drop as demand increases, battery technology is improving in leaps and bounds. If you charge your car from your own solar panels you’ll be setting an amazing example of how life can be sustainable but no less enjoyable.

 

In summary if you can do all 10 of these actions you could be reducing you carbon footprint by up to 45%. Not all are easy - what’s important is to make a start, choose the things you know you can stick with and begin to make a difference”

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