Photo by Thomas Ehling Telling people how to live their lives isn't always popular, which is why many environmentalists prefer carrot to stick. We aren't going to fix this by telling people they are doing the wrong things.Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the UK Committee on Climate Change Instead, they want to elicit change by … Continue reading Give fear a chance
Which party will save the planet?
Action: VOTE! Photo by Heather Mount It’s THE issue of our age - perhaps even the issue of our species - so the increased attention on the environment in this election is long overdue. And with the experts warning again and again that we need strong leadership with urgent, radical policies, the actions of our … Continue reading Which party will save the planet?
Toilet paper – One small wipe for a man; one giant smack in the face for mankind?
Small steps... Check the virgin wood fibre content of your toilet paper, eg. via an FSC certification.Try one of the cheaper, more sustainable and more hygienic alternatives to paper, as used by the world's vast majority.If your butt insists on paper, go for a brand made from 100% recycled wood fibre. Photo by Fikri Rasyid … Continue reading Toilet paper – One small wipe for a man; one giant smack in the face for mankind?
Wood – carbon neutral fuel, or climate red herring?
One regular cause of friction in our house is the lighting. My wife would happily light up the entire house even when sitting in just one room, whereas I’m all for the easy wins when it comes to saving energy so walk around turning them off. After all our years together we’ve settled into a … Continue reading Wood – carbon neutral fuel, or climate red herring?
Why worry about saving energy on a green tariff?
Photo by Tim Foster As you'd expect from someone frantic enough to write a blog about the state of the climate and the mass extinction of life on earth, we're signed up to a 100% green electricity tariff. So we used to think that, as long as we could afford the bills, it didn't actually … Continue reading Why worry about saving energy on a green tariff?
But what about China?
Photo by Chuttersnap "The climate fight will be won or lost in countries like China and India, not here in the UK - we're a tiny fraction of the problem and already leading the world in our carbon reductions. So why risk our jobs and economy? Why limit our lives? Why disrupt our cities with … Continue reading But what about China?
It’s good to talk
Small steps... Demonstrate the change you want to see.Take what opportunities arise to talk about it; be an unashamed ambassador for your choices. The quiet power of the ripple effect(photo by Jordan McDonald) Three recently witnessed events that highlight to me how far we have to go: Sitting in our school car park waiting for … Continue reading It’s good to talk
To fly or not to fly
Small steps... Recognise the true cost of a plane ticket beyond the purely financial.Wherever possible, swap the plane for a train.Protest against any airport expansion until the current infrastructure is carbon-neutral and running at capacity.Encourage businesses to reduce flights and offset.Don't be a frequent flyer but, if you have to go by plane, go economy, … Continue reading To fly or not to fly
Entitlement and hairshirts
'No, I'm used to it now so I WON'T give it up!'(Photo by Ryan Franco) Apparently it's called 'generational habituation': what for our great-grandparents was unattainable soon became, for our grandparents, a luxury. That luxury then became, for our parents, a little more everyday and now, for our generation, it's not just commonplace but expected, … Continue reading Entitlement and hairshirts
Green electricity – Part 2
Small steps... Wherever possible, REDUCE ENERGY USE.Get your electricity from a supplier offering '100% renewable' power.Better still, distinguish between the truly green suppliers and the 'greenwashed': sign up to one that directly invests in renewable generation. There's green and then there's GREEN.(Photo by Annabelle Tipper) For years, I've cheerfully subscribed to 100% green tariffs on … Continue reading Green electricity – Part 2
