Help! There’s a climate and ecological crisis facing us – but what can we do about it as individuals?
Rotherham Climate Action, alongside Sheffield Friends of the Earth, are hosting an online event on Saturday 27th February (10.30am to 12.00pm) to explore just that.
Many people recognise the climate crisis is a huge global issue and a threat to our very existence and it can be very overwhelming to think about. What, after all, can we do as individuals to make a difference? Well, quite a lot as it turns out!
If you’ve got your magazine and are reading it straight away, why not book your place at the virtual event? The presentations will cover what we can do at home, in our communities and in our workplaces.
For those not able to make the event, Helen Francis, Coordinator of Rotherham Climate Action, shares a few of the tips which can help us all do our bit.
At home
Swap to a green energy supplier: If you can, choose one that can do this for both electricity and gas. Many companies offer electricity from renewable resources but fewer offer the same from gas. (Good Energy and Ecotricity do!)
Buy bigger bottles: So many things come in plastic, but if you buy larger sizes the amount of plastic compared to the amount of product is much better. You can decant into smaller bottles for convenience. Even better – visit a shop where you can fill your own containers and reduce the need for plastic all together. Even some of the supermarkets are offering this service now.
In the community
Plant things: Whether this is a wildflower meadow at the edge of the park, planting some trees on the school field or some bulbs on the verges, every little helps with CO2 levels as well as sustaining the insects at the bottom of the food chain – and helping us appreciate nature into the bargain.
Recycle the tricky things: Lots of plastics come in a form that can’t easily be dealt with by the local authority schemes, but Terracycle collections can help you avoid sending loads of stuff to landfill. You can set up a scheme locally (think school or library) and choose what to collect – maybe toothpaste tubes, food pouches or crisp packets. All these and more can be recycled by specialists.
In the workplace
Power saving: How much energy is wasted at your workplace through computers being left on, heating turned up too high, lights being left on? Encourage your employer to set targets for reduction and play your part in leading others. (While you’re about it – check your employers are on an eco-tariff!)
Travel to work: We all know that for some, lack of travelling has been a big plus of home-working, but it’s often nice and sometimes necessary to go in. If so, can this be ‘active travel’? That’s walking or cycling – but it’s not always easy if there is nowhere to put your bike / store your ‘active’ clothes and have a wash’n’brush-up ready for the day ahead. Lobby your employer to provide these and encourage a car-pool mechanism, too. Think how well it worked out for Peter Kay!
If you’re reading this in time book your place at the Simple Steps to Combat Climate Change event on Saturday 27th February, from 10.30am to 12.00pm.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/simple-steps-tickets-138143666425
rotherhamclimateaction@gmail.com
www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk