Have an eco-friendly new year!
So, the New Year is here - a time when you might set yourself some New Year’s Resolutions. It’s good to consider how you want to improve as an individual by, for example, exercising more often or setting aside a bit of ‘me-time’ each day. However, have you ever thought about what you could do this year to improve our environment?
Each year, many people set themselves a resolution on reading. This year, you could read one or two books that are specifically on climate change or sustainable living. My book recommendation for you is ‘Minimal’ by Madeleine Olivia: it is all about how you can reduce your carbon footprint and how to live more sustainably. The book covers everything from reducing your food waste to looking at how your shopping habits affect the environment. This book is easy to navigate as it is split into chapters and you can pick and choose what you want to read. You can purchase it as a physical copy, an eBook or an audio book.
Another resolution you could set yourself is to support a climate strike this year! It is so important to use your voice; using your voice is particularly important if you are under the age of 18 and can’t vote yet, as using your voice in a protest is the only way your opinions will be heard. We are already starting to see the devastating effects of the climate crisis on how people, and wildlife too, are being affected. For example, you will most likely know about the Australian Wildfires that started last year and are still happening right now. The least that we can do, if we are able to, is to go and show up for them and demand action from our government and world leaders.
Thirdly, you could support local independent shops, as opposed to high-street chains. Generally, local independent businesses have better environmental standards and are more sustainable than chain shops. You could also look into what products you are buying and how their packaging may impact the environment. Recently, a shop called Zero opened in Heathfield. They sell unpackaged/bulk/refillable food and household products. Buying these products is important as it cuts down on plastic and waste significantly.
Finally, you could make a resolution to look at how/what you are eating and make a conscious effort that you have vegetarian or vegan meals each week. In my household, we do ‘Meat-free Mondays’ - perhaps this is something you could implement into your life this year and beyond? Eating vegetarian and vegan meals is important as it cuts down carbon emissions, decreases world hunger and reduces energy consumption. It is beneficial in many ways to our environment and it is also good for you, too. I hope that these ideas help you and I wish you a happy and eco-friendly new year!
Lottie Marco, year 11
Each year, many people set themselves a resolution on reading. This year, you could read one or two books that are specifically on climate change or sustainable living. My book recommendation for you is ‘Minimal’ by Madeleine Olivia: it is all about how you can reduce your carbon footprint and how to live more sustainably. The book covers everything from reducing your food waste to looking at how your shopping habits affect the environment. This book is easy to navigate as it is split into chapters and you can pick and choose what you want to read. You can purchase it as a physical copy, an eBook or an audio book.
Another resolution you could set yourself is to support a climate strike this year! It is so important to use your voice; using your voice is particularly important if you are under the age of 18 and can’t vote yet, as using your voice in a protest is the only way your opinions will be heard. We are already starting to see the devastating effects of the climate crisis on how people, and wildlife too, are being affected. For example, you will most likely know about the Australian Wildfires that started last year and are still happening right now. The least that we can do, if we are able to, is to go and show up for them and demand action from our government and world leaders.
Thirdly, you could support local independent shops, as opposed to high-street chains. Generally, local independent businesses have better environmental standards and are more sustainable than chain shops. You could also look into what products you are buying and how their packaging may impact the environment. Recently, a shop called Zero opened in Heathfield. They sell unpackaged/bulk/refillable food and household products. Buying these products is important as it cuts down on plastic and waste significantly.
Finally, you could make a resolution to look at how/what you are eating and make a conscious effort that you have vegetarian or vegan meals each week. In my household, we do ‘Meat-free Mondays’ - perhaps this is something you could implement into your life this year and beyond? Eating vegetarian and vegan meals is important as it cuts down carbon emissions, decreases world hunger and reduces energy consumption. It is beneficial in many ways to our environment and it is also good for you, too. I hope that these ideas help you and I wish you a happy and eco-friendly new year!
Lottie Marco, year 11