The arrival of a new year is a good opportunity to consider any changes we might want to make.
Rather than making sudden adjustments, you might prefer to identify changes you’d like to make and work towards them in a steady, more long term manner.
If you are making plans and looking ahead to 2023 we have put together our top 5 suggestions:
1. GO PLANT BASED – get inspiration from the wealth of advice and tasty products on offer during ‘Veganuary’. Go plant based for the month – it might become your new way of life or at least lead to a longer-term change in your diet that has positive benefits for the planet. Visit our page for tried and tested Recipes.
Meat & dairy are responsible for 14.5% of man-made global greenhouse gas emissions.
2. PLANT A TREE – take a direct step in tackling climate change. Garden centres remain open and the seasonal window for planting trees is also open, as long as you pick a day when the ground isn’t frozen! If you don’t have space for a tree consider a shrub instead. Have a look at our Tree Planting Guide.
Planting trees, shrubs and plants is one of the most effective and cheapest ways of taking CO2 out of the atmosphere.
3. TURN DOWN THE HEAT – put another layer on instead and set your central heating timer carefully so you don’t heat your house unnecessarily. Also remember to turn off lights when they aren’t in use, and switch to LED bulbs. Visit our At Home page for advice.
Turning down the thermostat by 1º will save you 10% on your annual fuel bill.
4. RESIST ONLINE SALES – think about what you really need, cut consumption and waste. Don’t buy more than you need – refuse, reduce, reuse, repair and recycle! Remember that online shopping, particularly with express delivery, has an environmental impact. Visit our Shopping page for advice.
The fashion industry accounts for 92 million tonnes of waste per year.
5. SPEAK UP – Winter days are short and our activity is restricted, but we can still speak up for the environment. Email your local MP on environmental issues. Challenge big businesses on their behaviors. Question your bank and pension provider on their investments. The greater the customer demand, the faster we will see change. Visit our page on Campaigning & Volunteering.
Social media and online review platforms mean the constituent/consumer is more powerful now than ever before.
We wish you a very Happy New Year!