Small ways to save the planet
Climate change is an emergency for our times, affecting young people more than anyone else. Alice Cronin offers ideas for what individuals can do to help the planet
We all know the facts. The global temperature is on the rise and evidence of climate change is more prominent than ever. In 2021, the BBC suggested a global survey illustrates the extent to which young people are negatively impacted by climate change, with 45% of young people approached saying that feelings towards climate change affect their everyday lives. So, what can teenagers do to help the planet?
Minor changes to our lifestyle can not only contribute to improving the planet’s health, but it can also help us feel more in control, putting power into our own hands.
One of the topics of conversation has to be what we wear. Young people can be conscious of their outfits in relation to the latest trends, what’s on the social media platforms and what’s being demonstrated by influencers. Greenpeace states that the fashion industry produces 8-10% of global emissions. That’s nothing, right? Wrong. By buying into the fast fashion lifestyle, you are essentially funding the global climate crisis, with total emissions from the fashion industry equating to 4-5 billion tonnes of carbon produced each year. And what has become increasingly concerning is the exploitation of sustainable fashion by major companies. This is called ‘greenwashing’ and occurs when companies portray a false representation of their ‘eco’ policies. Unfortunately, this has become increasingly common, with H&M and Zara being two of the main suspects, according to Capital Monitor. And much to our dismay, the customers are at the heart of these issues when arguably, it is the companies that greenwash who are at fault. But what can we do? One of the ways we can cut down our carbon footprint, cut down the cost and look fabulous while doing it is by shopping second hand. There is a huge stigma around secondhand fashion amongst young people, especially concerning charity shops. In reality, charity shops don’t stock the stereotypical stained bobbly hoodie with no drawstrings that we expect. In fact, many charity shops sort through stock before putting them on the shelves and send off clothes not fit for sale for recycling. Not only could you grab yourself that Ralph Lauren knit sweater you’ve been eying up for a fraction of the price, but you would also be helping vulnerable people and the planet. Don’t forget to bring your reusable bag with you!
A second way we can help the planet is by being more aware of what we’re consuming. The Vegetarian Society states that 3 million people in the UK are vegetarian. People can be vegetarian or vegan for many different factors including economic, health, religious and environmental reasons. They’re all for good reasons, however, as PETA suggests 2400 gallons of water is used to produce just 1 pound of meat. They say: ‘You can save more water by not eating a pound of meat than you can by not showering for six months!’. Additionally, cutting meat out of your diet or by decreasing your consumption of it, you can help your health. Red meat can have negative impacts on your health, including increased risk of heart diseases and certain cancers, according to Healthline. If you’re familiar with eating meat regularly, try Meat Free Monday in your household. With so much choice on the market for veggies and vegans now, you are bound to find a new stable for your household, whether this is the humble veggie burger or a creative tofu Buddha bowl. Don’t know where to start? Check out the BOSH! website for some tasty plant based meals.
Products that are plastic free and cruelty free are definitely not free of kindness to our planet. Cruelty free cosmetics are products that are not tested on animals, and the sad reality of the cosmetic industry is that some animals are being confined to small spaces, to have harsh chemicals put on their skin and in their eyes. By buying cruelty free cosmetics, consumers can prevent this from happening. Just look for the Leaping Bunny Logo, the international verification symbol of a cruelty free product. Plastic free cosmetics can also help the planet. The WWF suggests that by 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than there will be fish (by weight). By making changes from products that are plastic packaged to recyclable or biodegradable, we can help prevent this shocking situation from happening. Shampoo and conditioner bars have become increasingly popular in the recent years. A personal favourite brand of sustainable and environmentally friendly toiletries has to be Grüum. This website sells cruelty free and plastic free products, and often give away shampoo bars or bundles, as well as their tote bags with the iconic slogan ‘Plastic doesn’t go with my outfit’.
Although these tips may be small, they can make a big difference if put into practice and can reduce your carbon footprint, and therefore contribute to a healthier planet. The inspiration for this article was ‘Simple Acts to Save our Planet: 500 Ways to make a difference’ by Michelle Neff, which helps those starting to question how sustainable their lifestyle is and want to make small changes to help the planet. And, yes, it was purchased from a charity shop!
Sources of information:
BBC NEWS
Greenpeace
Capital Monitor
The Vegetarian Society
PETA
Healthline
BOSH!
Leaping Bunny
WWF
Grüum
Alice Cronin, Year 12
We all know the facts. The global temperature is on the rise and evidence of climate change is more prominent than ever. In 2021, the BBC suggested a global survey illustrates the extent to which young people are negatively impacted by climate change, with 45% of young people approached saying that feelings towards climate change affect their everyday lives. So, what can teenagers do to help the planet?
Minor changes to our lifestyle can not only contribute to improving the planet’s health, but it can also help us feel more in control, putting power into our own hands.
One of the topics of conversation has to be what we wear. Young people can be conscious of their outfits in relation to the latest trends, what’s on the social media platforms and what’s being demonstrated by influencers. Greenpeace states that the fashion industry produces 8-10% of global emissions. That’s nothing, right? Wrong. By buying into the fast fashion lifestyle, you are essentially funding the global climate crisis, with total emissions from the fashion industry equating to 4-5 billion tonnes of carbon produced each year. And what has become increasingly concerning is the exploitation of sustainable fashion by major companies. This is called ‘greenwashing’ and occurs when companies portray a false representation of their ‘eco’ policies. Unfortunately, this has become increasingly common, with H&M and Zara being two of the main suspects, according to Capital Monitor. And much to our dismay, the customers are at the heart of these issues when arguably, it is the companies that greenwash who are at fault. But what can we do? One of the ways we can cut down our carbon footprint, cut down the cost and look fabulous while doing it is by shopping second hand. There is a huge stigma around secondhand fashion amongst young people, especially concerning charity shops. In reality, charity shops don’t stock the stereotypical stained bobbly hoodie with no drawstrings that we expect. In fact, many charity shops sort through stock before putting them on the shelves and send off clothes not fit for sale for recycling. Not only could you grab yourself that Ralph Lauren knit sweater you’ve been eying up for a fraction of the price, but you would also be helping vulnerable people and the planet. Don’t forget to bring your reusable bag with you!
A second way we can help the planet is by being more aware of what we’re consuming. The Vegetarian Society states that 3 million people in the UK are vegetarian. People can be vegetarian or vegan for many different factors including economic, health, religious and environmental reasons. They’re all for good reasons, however, as PETA suggests 2400 gallons of water is used to produce just 1 pound of meat. They say: ‘You can save more water by not eating a pound of meat than you can by not showering for six months!’. Additionally, cutting meat out of your diet or by decreasing your consumption of it, you can help your health. Red meat can have negative impacts on your health, including increased risk of heart diseases and certain cancers, according to Healthline. If you’re familiar with eating meat regularly, try Meat Free Monday in your household. With so much choice on the market for veggies and vegans now, you are bound to find a new stable for your household, whether this is the humble veggie burger or a creative tofu Buddha bowl. Don’t know where to start? Check out the BOSH! website for some tasty plant based meals.
Products that are plastic free and cruelty free are definitely not free of kindness to our planet. Cruelty free cosmetics are products that are not tested on animals, and the sad reality of the cosmetic industry is that some animals are being confined to small spaces, to have harsh chemicals put on their skin and in their eyes. By buying cruelty free cosmetics, consumers can prevent this from happening. Just look for the Leaping Bunny Logo, the international verification symbol of a cruelty free product. Plastic free cosmetics can also help the planet. The WWF suggests that by 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than there will be fish (by weight). By making changes from products that are plastic packaged to recyclable or biodegradable, we can help prevent this shocking situation from happening. Shampoo and conditioner bars have become increasingly popular in the recent years. A personal favourite brand of sustainable and environmentally friendly toiletries has to be Grüum. This website sells cruelty free and plastic free products, and often give away shampoo bars or bundles, as well as their tote bags with the iconic slogan ‘Plastic doesn’t go with my outfit’.
Although these tips may be small, they can make a big difference if put into practice and can reduce your carbon footprint, and therefore contribute to a healthier planet. The inspiration for this article was ‘Simple Acts to Save our Planet: 500 Ways to make a difference’ by Michelle Neff, which helps those starting to question how sustainable their lifestyle is and want to make small changes to help the planet. And, yes, it was purchased from a charity shop!
Sources of information:
BBC NEWS
Greenpeace
Capital Monitor
The Vegetarian Society
PETA
Healthline
BOSH!
Leaping Bunny
WWF
Grüum
Alice Cronin, Year 12