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
A new form of democracy?
Nice building, but what are they actually DOING in there?!(photo by Michael D Beckwith) We live in a democracy where our leaders follow the people. Some might say that's its greatest strength but, in this time of environmental crisis, it could turn out to be its greatest failing. This is an emergency and for emergency … Continue reading A new form of democracy?
Bee-friendly living
Small steps... Make sure your garden or window box is bee-friendlyOnly use organic weedkillersBuy organic - support a food economy that doesn't ask insects to subsidise our choicesOffer a corner of your garden to a beekeeperGet yourself a Bee Saver KitAsk the government to reduce pesticide useAsk your council to draw up a pollinator action … Continue reading Bee-friendly living
Protest – from the barricades or from your armchair
Small steps... If stripping off in Parliament or sailing into Oxford Circus seem just a little too overstated, there are plenty more British ways to protest.Make sure politicians know they'll lose your vote and businesses will lose your money unless they act on climate change.Donate in support of those charities protesting on our behalf.Sign up … Continue reading Protest – from the barricades or from your armchair
Driving electric – Part 2
For those who've asked, a bit more on the numbers: It's been almost three weeks since we picked up our Nissan Leaf, long enough to accumulate some first-hand experience, and also to slightly broaden my understanding of EV use in general. First and foremost, I love it. And my wife loves it. For a couple … Continue reading Driving electric – Part 2
