Ideas for an
Eco- Friendly Summer
Thinking about what we might do to make a positive impact on the environment can be overwhelming, especially when confronted with stark statements such as 'we are facing a climate emergency'.
The good news is that there are small changes we can make in our everyday lives that when added together can make a difference. Below are some ideas to try this summer.
Unplug Before Travelling
Many of us will be fortunate enough to spend some time away from home this summer.
Even if electronic devices are shut off or in sleep mode, they still use energy, so before going on holiday this summer, unplug your devices from the wall sockets to save electricity.
Each UK household spends around £50 – £86 a year to power appliances left in standby mode or unused.
Eat Less Meat
Meat and dairy are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture industry.
Emissions occur from the production stage to processing, packaging, and finally being delivered. Farming releases two powerful greenhouse gases: methane from livestock during digestion and nitrous oxide, an indirect product of organic and mineral nitrogen fertilisers.
As most emissions result from producing and preparing meat and dairy, consuming less meat would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some people might opt to drastically change their diets to a vegan one but simply reducing your consumption of meat can have a big impact.
Wash Your Clothes Less
Synthetic material sheds microplastics in the washing machine, which reach the ocean. The ocean floor holds over 14 million tonnes of microplastics. This number is increasing, with textiles contributing 500,000 tonnes yearly. 16% of the microplastics released into the oceans come from washing these synthetic clothes. The toxic fibres degrade ecosystems and are ingested by sea life and, eventually, mammals, including humans.
Over-washing your clothes at high temperatures will also affect their quality over time. It’s also a great waste of water and energy from your washing machine. Also, be sure only to buy non-toxic detergents and avoid the use of tumble dryers.