What’s your New Year Resolution for 2023?
If there’s one thing you can do every day this year to help the planet and decrease your carbon footprint, it is to Reduce your consumption, Reduce waste and Reduce your emissions.
Every time you go to buy something ask yourself- do I really need this? can I buy it second hand? can I buy it locally? where will it end up? Do you really need extra clothes? another pair of shoes? a new car? a new phone? the gym equipment you won’t use; the extra toys that will end up in landfill…all that food that gets wasted…all that online storage of stuff you don’t really need …that consumes energy and our planets finite resources.
The benefits of reducing your consumption- are more money! – not spending on unnecessary items and saving on energy consumption means more money in the bank for you!
Reduce your material consumption
- buy less – do you really need more clothes..another phone…more stuff?
- if you have to buy why not try second hand options first rather than use up more of the earth’s resources
- choose quality over quantity – buy something that is made to last and that can be repaired
- buy local and sustainable- check what the product is made of and where it’s from, and think about where it will end up
- choose ethical retailers- what are the company’s values and ethos? Where and how do they source and make their product?
- always carry a water bottle and reusable coffee cup and reusable shopping bag, to help cut down on buying one off plastics
Reduce food waste and your red meat intake
- buy local seasonal food products where possible
- buy less red meat and local and organic
- even better- grow your own vegetables
Reduce your energy consumption
- Insulate the hot water cylinder
- Don’t leave hot taps running and take short showers over a bath
- Turn down thermostats
- Use appliances like washing machines at the most efficient time of day
- Turn off computers, lights, and other appliances when not in use
- Don’t store unnecessary computer files and photos in the cloud
Reduce the number of emissions you contribute to-ie reduce the number of flights you take, reduce the number of car trips; take public transport or cycle!
Reduce the amount of time you spend worrying about the climate crisis, and spend the time being active in helping to reduce climate change by using your vote and your voice!
Reducing your material, energy and red meat consumption means you’ll be feeling good about the planet with more money in your pocket- a win win!