In our 150th year we are aiming for 150 ways to “Be Green.” To give you some ideas. I will publish a list with some suggestions each month.
Some of these you will already know.
Some of these will not be relevant to you.
BUT…some of them, hopefully, will make you think and re-consider how you live.
If everybody in the church takes on board 5 things, that adds up to a huge change for the good. More would be even better! When setting your goals, aim for things that you know you will be able to achieve and continue for the years to come. This is not a short-term problem we are trying to solve
1.Use reusable face masks rather than throwaway ones. You could even make your own using leftover offcuts of fabric. (Sadly these will be with us for a while, I think).
2.When doing video calls, like Zoom, Facetime or Skype, turn off your camera. It saves 96% of the energy used in the call.
3.Have a spring clear out and give things you don’t want any more to a charity shop so others can use them.
4.Take fewer air flights – Oh we’ve just done that! Don’t go back to old ways after the pandemic.
5.If you are out on a walk take a bag with you and pick up any litter you see. People are less likely to drop litter if there is none there already.
6.Grow your own fruit and vegetables. Much tastier, fresher and loads fewer food miles.
7.Check out your council’s Local Plan. Be knowledgeable about your local green areas and where there are plans for building or development.
8.Turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth.
9.If you have saved money over the last year and have some to invest, think about investing in start-up companies that are working towards green goals.
10.Turn your heating thermostat down a notch and wear a jumper.
11.Buy fruit and vegetables that are in season in this country.
12.Check that your house walls are properly insulated. Get cavity wall insulation if you don’t have it already.
13.Plant wild flower seeds. Not only will you enjoy the flowers you can also enjoy a wider variety of wildlife enjoying them too.
14.Be informed, in an enjoyable way. Watch a David Attenborough programme, such as Blue Planet.
15.If you are buying new furniture make sure the wood is from sustainable forests.
16.Don’t print out documents if you don’t really need a hard copy.
17.Now we can meet people in our gardens, don’t be tempted to use a patio heater. Put on a coat or get a blanket. Otherwise, it is too cold to be outdoors.
18.As the days are getting warmer and the sun is up for longer, adjust the timer on your heating so it isn’t on when you don’t need it.
19.Only use your car when you have to. Walk or cycle when you can. You will feel better too!
20.Now the weeds are growing like mad in the garden build a compost heap. If you really don’t have room for one, then make sure you put your garden waste in the green bin.
21. Hedgehogs are coming out of hibernation and beginning to move around much more. Leave food out for them but only give them cat or dog food or specialist hedgehog food. Don’t leave bread or milk for them – this can make them poorly.
22. Buy items that carry the Fair Trade logo.
23. If you are thinking of buying a new appliance for the house, don’t buy a high-tech gizmo if you can do exactly the same job without all the bells and whistles. It will use less energy and have taken less resources to make it.
24. Buy loose fruit and vegetables where possible. Avoid extra unnecessary packaging.
25. Talk to your friends about environmental issues. The more normal the subject becomes the more people will take it on board.
26. Don’t use disposable wipes to remove make-up. You can get washable cotton pads instead.
27. Have a shower instead of a bath.
28. Use an alternative to peat compost in seed and potting compost, and in growbags.
29. Don’t use too much laundry powder or liquid. They usually tell you to use more than you need. Try reducing the amount you use bit by bit. Your clothes will probably be just as clean.
30. Dry your washing outside rather than using a tumble dryer.
31. Ensure your car tyres are correctly inflated. If they are too soft you will use more fuel.
32. If you are sending greetings cards to anybody avoid any with glitter. It is made of plastic and inevitably will get out into the environment.
33. Put used bath water or washing up water on the garden. Established shrubs and trees will like it, just be careful near soft plants and new seedlings.
34. Now we might be able to plan a holiday, offset the carbon produced by your holiday travel. See this as part of the cost of your holiday.
35. You may already be feeding birds, but remember to put out water for birds and other wildlife. This is even more important in hot and dry weather.
36. If you are using an appliance that can be plugged in to the mains, use that rather than batteries if you can. Mains electricity is much more efficient.
37. Have a conversation with a teenager to find out what they would like you to do.
38. If you have a Smartmeter learn how to use it to make your energy use more efficient.
39. If you are thinking of changing your car, make the fuel efficiency a really important part of your decision making.
40. Eat pork or chicken instead of beef, preferably locally sourced.
41. If you use Google as your search engine, try out Blackle. It does the same search but on a black screen, saving energy.
42. Recycle aluminium foil but save it and make it into a ball at least the size of a tennis ball before you put it in your recycling bin.
43. Don’t flush wet-wipes down the toilet.
44. Support charities that aim to bring clean water to developing communities.
45. Save water – bath with a friend!!
46. Install PV solar panels on your roof.
47. Open a window on the cooler side of the house and close curtains against the sun. Don’t use air conditioning to keep cool.
48. Use rechargeable batteries in your portable appliances.
49. Sign “The Time is Now” declaration. Click the link https://thetimeisnow.uk/declaration or search for “the time is now declaration”.
50. When on holiday abroad (if you manage to go any time soon!) support the local economy. Engage in the local culture rather than staying at all-inclusive resorts.
51. Dry your hair walking around indoors instead of a hairdryer.
52. Put a water-saving device like a hippo in your toilet cistern. Or you could just use a brick, but wrap it up first or you will get brick dust in the pipes.
53. Learn how to read an environmental impact statement in corporate accounts and then use that information to when you purchase things. Use consumer power.
54. Avoid anything that is single use. Much better to re-use than recycle.
55. Let me know that you are reading this. It is quite discouraging not to get feedback.
56. Don’t buy bottled water. Have a reusable bottle and fill it from the tap.
57. Borrow books from the library, or swap books with friends and neighbours, rather than always buying new ones.
58. Put your investments in ethical funds, that don’t fund coal or oil use.
59. Buy local produce, maybe from a local farmers’ market or WI.
60. Instal a hedgehog tunnel in your fence. Try to get the whole neighbourhood to join in so the hedgehogs can roam around.
61. Make a note of the date for the WMCT outdoor service on Climate Change –19th September at 2pm on Kingston Fields. Offer to help if you can – see Diane Giffard.
62. If you enjoy a sport, hobby or pastime try to think of something you could do (or you are already doing) to make it more environmentally friendly.
63. If you come up with an idea let me know so we can pass it on to others.
64. If you are involved with organising a wedding, ask for rose petals to be used instead of confetti.
65. Look up the UN sustainability goals and try to do something to support them.
66. Don’t change your car frequently. Car manufacture takes up valuable energy and resources. Disposing of old cars is also a problem.
67. If you have a pond make sure any animals that fall in can get out. Put in a ramp or some pots near the edge.
68. Recycle as much of your waste as possible.
69. Change your energy supplier to one that uses renewable sources.
70. When decorating your house don’t buy new paint but get creative and make your own work of art using all those leftover tins.
71. Put low energy, or even better LED, light bulbs in your house. If you tried low energy light bulbs when they first came out and didn’t like them they are worth another go. Great improvements have been made in how they work.
72. If you are setting up outdoor lighting, for patio areas or for intruder alerts, try to use LED lights that are solar powered.
73. Go for a walk and appreciate the nature around you. Stop, look and listen to what is there.
74. Include the environment in your regular prayers.
75. Don’t fill your kettle if you are only making one cup of tea. Just heat the amount of water you will use.
77. Learn about the powersave functions on your computer. Use the sleep and hibernate functions more quickly. Try to repair anything that is broken rather than throwing it away and buying new. Check to see if the Repair Café in Woodbridge can help if it is something that you can’t do yourself.
78. If you are thinking of changing your car, get an electric one.
79. Install loft insulation if you don’t have any. If you do, then check it is thick enough and maybe add another layer.
80. if you don’t have it already, fit secondary double glazing. There are styles to fit most windows these days.
81. Collect old plastic drinks bottles and use to make planter, bird feeders or cloches for your plants.
82. Organise a group litter pick in your area.
83. When your toothbrush is worn out re-use it for cleaning in awkward corners.
84. Support charities that aim to bring clean water to developing communities.
85. Learn about communities around the world who are most affected by sea level rise.
86. Use beeswax wrapping for sandwiches instead of clingfilm. It can be re-used many, many times.
87. If you have an “Eco” setting on a household appliance, like a washing machine or dishwasher, use it. It might take a little longer but you will use less energy.
88. When recycling, sort your rubbish carefully and make sure you put it in the correct bin. If you are in East Suffolk council area, note that what you can put in the green bin has changed.
89. If you are buying a new household appliance, like a fridge, choose one with the best energy rating.
90. Don’t drive round with loads of heavy clutter in your boot. The heavier your load the more petrol you will use.
- Find any draughts coming into the house and use draught excluders. Where did all the door snakes go?
- Lobby your MP to do something. COP26 is approaching so they will have the environment on their minds.
- Dry washing on your radiators when the heating is on, rather than using a tumble drier.
- If you take medication, don’t throw away the empty blister packs your pills came in. Superdrug will collect and recycle them. As a Circuit we are organising a collection.
- Don’t wait for your kettle to switch itself off automatically when in it boils. This can take a while and in that time you are wasting electricity.
- Use public transport instead of your car.
- If you are paying into a pension or taking your company pension after retirement, (ie. just about all of us) contact your pension company and get them to sign up to the “Green your pension” campaign. See this website for details https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/
- Plant bee friendly plants in your garden.
- Eat at least one vegetarian or vegan meal each week. Gradually increase this so you reduce your meat consumption.
- Twin your toilet – yes that is a thing. It can transform lives in other parts of the world.
- Wash your car only when absolutely necessary (once after the winter to get rid of the salt and perhaps once if you have been on country roads during or after rain).
- If you are washing your car use a bucket not hosepipe.
- Get an allotment – or at least get on the waiting list! You can share with a friend of neighbour to make the work a bit easier.
- Think about where your clothes have come from. If they are very cheap the people who made them probably didn’t get a fair wage and safe working conditions.
- Car share for shopping trips. Go shopping with a friend or neighbour. You might even stop for a coffee and chat together.
- Stop junk mail by using the mailing preference service – saves paper and time.
- Keep a list of what’s in the freezer on door (on scrap of paper) so you don’t need to spend time rummaging letting out the cold air. You are more likely to use items before they are too old, too.
- Save yourself a job and only iron what is absolutely necessary – saving time and energy.
- Thinks about installing a heat pump to heat your house.
- Use the WWF carbon calculator to see how you are doing, and for tips on how to get better.
111. If you are planning planting in your garden for next year think about including a wide variety of types of plant.
112. Include a pond or small water feature in your garden.
113. Organise a discussion group about the climate crisis amongst your friends or other social group you belong to.
114. Re-use packaging as plant pots & trays. You can use toilet and kitchen rolls to sow seeds and then plant out the whole lot as it will decompose.
115. Don’t wash all your clothes every time you use them – reuse and spot clean (underwear and sweaty teenagers are exceptions!).
116. Put your investments in ethical funds, that don’t fund coal or oil use.
117. Use sites like https://www.ilovefreegle.org/ Facebook marketplace, or https://uk.freecycle.org/ to share or sell what you don’t want.
118. Keep food in your freezer organised so you can find things easily. Close the door when you can, don’t leave it open while you search through a box of food.
119. Print double-sided when you can.
120. Use recycled, unbleached paper for printing.
121. Turn lights off when you don’t need them.
122. If you use coffee pods have you tried refillable ones rather than disposable?
123. When you need new car tyres choose energy efficient ones.
124. When you eat beef try to buy meat from animals that have been grass-fed rather than intensively reared.
125. Visit https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ for lots of good ideas eg use stale bread to make bread crumbs and freeze.
126. Use alternatives to plastic wherever possible.
127. If taking sandwiches out on a trip or to work reuse plastic boxes such as ice-cream tubs.
128. Feed the birds.
129. Replace the washer on dripping taps