Ways we can make a difference

Try one, let it become the 'new normal', then move on to the next,

Try to eat everything we buy
On average, each person wastes c80kg food a year
Reduce the amount of beef and lamb we eat
UK produced beef emits at least 5x that of UK chicken
Swap one meat meal a week for a vegetarian one
Eat fruit and veg in season - chart available
Avoid fruit and veg air-freighted or grown in heated glasshouses
They have about 100x the carbon emissions of sea-freighted ones

Turn the thermostat down a notch
Reducing temperature by 1degreeC cuts emissions , and reduces bills by 1-3%
Turn appliances off instead of leaving on standby
Reduces emissions and typically saves £30 to £60 per year
Move to a truly green and ethical 100% renewable electricity provider
Many providers with “green” tariffs are doing very little to increase renewable energy generation, but Ecotricity, Good Energy and Octopus are highly rated by Which? and the Church of England
Check, and upgrade as necessary, insulation
A typical uninsulated home loses 25% of heat through roof, 33% though walls and 10-20% through floor. Visit Energy Saving Trust
When ready, switch to a heat pump

Move bank account/ISA to a provider with a low carbon footprint. Visit Make My Money Matter and My Mother Tree

Use public transport where possible
About a quarter to a sixth the CO2e of small petrol car
Fly less, fly economy and avoid ocean cruises
An individual’s return economy flight to Hong Kong emits 3.5 tonnes CO2e (10 tonnes in business class). Ocean cruise ships emit more CO2e per person than flights and cause other environmental harms.
Avoid SUVs
They emit 4x more CO2e than a small petrol car and 7x more CO2e than a small electric one
If driving, share lifts where possible
Get an electric car

Source: How Bad Are Bananas by Professor Mike Berners-Lee

Buy less – Ask 'Do I need this?'
Where possible, repair broken items. If not possible, recycle
Packaging – remember the hierarchy
Reduce – buy goods without, or with less or refillable packaging
Re-use – where possible, clean and re-use the packaging
Recycle – if none of the above are possible, recycle
Buy fewer, better-quality clothes and make them last
Buy pre-loved clothes
Global fashion industry responsible for 10% global greenhouse gases and 20% waste water

Talk to family, friends, colleagues, neighbours about your concerns for the climate
Share what you’ve learned
Join a group eg Eco Church, Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace
Call on the businesses we deal with, and our local and national politicians, to play their part in ensuring there is a liveable planet for our children and grandchildren