First Steps Towards Sustainable Living

 

So what can you and I do to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions? 

Is the little I can do worth it?

Yes, whatever any of us can do is worth it, especially if we travel much or buy a lot of stuff, but there are all kinds of changes we can make to how we live which will make a real difference.

Travel, Transport, Manufacturing and Heating/Cooling are the biggest sources of CO2.  Transport is the largest emitting sector of GHG emissions, producing 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020 (406 MtCO2e). 

In 2020 domestic transport was responsible for emitting 99 MtCO2e (million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent), a 19% reduction from 2019 and the largest fall in emissions on record, which is encouraging, but we can't afford to be complacent.

So I thought it might be good to start by thinking about how we travel and how much we buy.

The Joy of Walking

If we are fit and healthy we can make less unnecessary journeys by car we will be producing less CO2 emissions. If we walk to the post box or the corner shop and notice the birds singing or a little flower along the way and mention that to someone else, perhaps they will realise they could enjoy walking short distances too. Increasing the amount we walk instead of drive will improve our health and quality of life.

So what's stopping us? We might feel we don't have time, often because we're stressed and worried about everything we need to do. Just a short walk for ten minutes or so could help us feel less stressed, think more clearly and be more productive. 

Tiredness is another problem. Sometimes walking for 5 or 10 minutes several days a week will energise us and it could increase our stamina over time. If it doesn't help it's probably time to discuss the problem with our GP unless we already know the cause.

Walking more and driving less will save us money. The less we drive, the more money we'll save and the less greenhouse gases and pollution we'll produce. Walking  can lift our mood and improver our health too. 

Pollution from traffic is very bad for people's health and the busier the roads, the more polluted the air will be. The less we drive, the better for the health of everyone around us, unless our vehicle is run on renewable energy. 

If you need to buy a car consider buying an EV if you can afford one with a battery life to suit your needs.

Have you found ways to drive less? Do you have any tips for people who are finding it hard not to drive everywhere however local? Do you drive an EV? If you have anything helpful to say about any of these things please tell us in the comments section.

The Joy of Enough

Most of us buy more stuff than we need, myself included. Most of us think we really need more than we actually need, myself included. 

What's important will vary from person to person, but sometimes we think we need something because we grew up thinking we needed it, or were persuaded by an advert we need it, or think we need it because our friends have one and seem to like it. 

How much do we use the things we think we need? If we're thinking of buying something new, how have we managed so far without it?      Will we find it very useful or enjoyable for very long? Are we sure we don't already have one? I'm sure I'm not alone in having bought something I forgot I had because it had been out of sight at the back of a cupboard or drawer. There are benefits to a tidy and decluttered life.

The less we buy, the more money we will save and the less greenhouse gas emissions we'll be responsible for. Once we have everything we genuinely need the rest is really clutter. Although I'm one of those people who enjoys a certain amount of clutter in the form of decorations like vases, candlesticks and cushions. I find they make my home feel cosy. Much of what I have of that sort I've had for a decade or more and some has been inherited. We all need to decide which less essential items help to make our house feel like a home and how much we need. Keeping the things we have for longer and replacing them less often all helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

If you find you get bored with your soft furnishings easily perhaps have a set for Summer and a set for Winter so you can have a change of scenery without buying new things so often.

What's helped you resist the urge to buy more than you need? Feel free to share your favourite tips in the comments.

Whatever you do, however small it's the first step on the journey to a more sustainable, more environmentally friendly life and very possibly a healthier, happier life too.