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Making small, everyday changes can add up to a big difference to the planet, say experts

“We’re doomed. Doomed,” was the catchphrase of Private James Frazer, the fictional Home Guard platoon member and undertaker in the BBC’s much-loved BBC television sitcom ‘Dad’s Army.” Today many people feel anxious and overwhelmed when they think about climate change – the biggest single threat of our time. There’s even a word for it, ‘eco-anxiety’ a chronic fear of environmental doom.  It’s easy to feel helpless but we can all make a difference by making simple, everyday changes. See below for some ideas and inspiration on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle.  

Switch to renewable energy 

 “Change your energy supplier to an eco-friendly option. Choosing 100% renewable sources like solar and wind reduces your carbon footprint and helps accelerate the switch to cheaper, greener energy,” said Malcolm Wallace, Winchester City Council’s first Green Party councillor. 

Good Energy and Ecotricity have each received the highest Which? Eco Provider score and Ethical Consumer’s Best Buy label for products that meet high ethical standards. Both companies are also recommended by Friends of the Earth as they offer only 100% renewable electricity, are fossil fuel and nuclear free and oppose fracking. Plus, they each give a £50 donation to Friends of the Earth when you switch. 

Insulate your home and save on energy bills 

Improving your home insulation is one of the most effective ways to save energy and money. “Less than half of homes currently have the recommended amount of roof or loft insulation and only one in three properties have cavity wall insulation,” said Cllr Wallace. Focus on plugging gaps that let in cold air and let warm air out. Draught proofing windows, doors and chimneys is a quick and easy fix. You might also consider improving the insulation on your water tank and pipes. “Improving your home’s energy efficiency is not only good for the environment but can also save you money,” said Wallace.

Ditch disposables 

Plastic packaging will pollute our planet for generations to come. The world is literally awash with more and more disused plastic bottles, foam burger boxes, disposable coffee cups. “Plastic has found its way into all aspects of our day-to-day living,” said Wallace, adding: “Reducing plastic usage may not seem easy but can make a big difference. Using your local zero-waste shop is a great way to shop without plastic.” These shops reduce plastic waste by allowing customers to refill their washing liquids, cleaning products and more. Another tip is to choose fruit and veg without plastic packaging in your supermarket.

Choose local products 

There are lots of veg-box schemes out there now. Failing that, buy from your local farmers’ market. “When you buy local products – from food to clothes – you contribute to the local economy and reduce your carbon footprint. Local products don’t need to be transported so far, which reduces carbon emissions,” said Wallace, a retired engineer and product manager.

While you are at it, try to eat seasonal food. This means eating produce that’s naturally ripe and ready to harvest in your local area, instead of imported foods from different climates around the world.  Eating organic, seasonal food from local farms or that you’ve grown at home can make a big difference in cutting down your food miles, helping to reduce carbon emissions.  Britain’s strawberry season kicks off in May, reaching its peak in June and July. Next time you’re tempted to buy strawberries out of season, think about the energy cost of growing them in huge greenhouses.

Eat less meat 

According to Friends of the Earth, 14.5% of climate changing gases come from dairy and meat production. Eating a sustainable diet with less but better-quality meat is not only better for the planet, it’s better for our health too, say green campaigners. Henry Dimbleby, who has written a book ‘Ravenous: How to get Ourselves and the Planet into Shape’, reckons the single most powerful thing anyone can do is eat less meat. Consider expanding your veggie recipe repertoire. You’ll find loads of culinary inspiration online. 

We waste about a third of all food fit for human consumption in the supply chain, say green campaigners. If it were a country, food waste would be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.  In recent years, supermarkets have started to sell imperfect veg. Check out the wonky looking fruit and veg counter to save it going to waste.  Another tip is to write a weekly menu plan and make a shopping list, so you only buy what you need. 

Recycle more and buy less

If you want to adopt a greener lifestyle you will need to buy less stuff and recycle more. Retired graphic designer and university lecturer Tracey McCulloch, has some top tips too. A keen gardener and Green Party member from Portsmouth, she recycles clear plastic cake boxes as mini greenhouses for new seedlings. “They are little propagators. I just planted my tumbling tomatoes and lettuce in some. Lolly sticks are good for labelling the small and covered seedlings.” 

Pet food, baby food and coffee pouches can be recycled along with plastic bags and wrappings at selected retailers. “Several new places have sprung up locally for plastic packaging, though obviously not enough,” said McCulloch who recycles her cat’s food pouches. Find your nearest collection point. www.recyclenow.com

Invest in reusable cups

Ditch single use plastic water bottles and consider swapping to more sustainable alternatives. Pack a refillable water bottle and invest in a reusable coffee cup or thermos flask for when you’re out and about. Billions of single-use cups are binned every year, polluting our planet. Very few are recycled because of the plastic film on the inside despite labelling suggesting otherwise. In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, this is a win-win as it will save you money, too. Most big chains offer discounts if you bring your own cup.

Use planet-friendly cleaning products

The laundry detergents, bleaches, washing up liquid we choose can cause toxic chemicals to enter waterways and harm aquatic life. Many products contain a cocktail of chemicals, such as sulphates, triclosan and phthalates to name a few. Among the more environmentally friendly brands are Ecover and Smol. 

McCulloch said: “We use Smol dishwasher tablets and (laundry) washing capsules.” Smol packaging is all made from new boxes, but it is FSC certified and they are either fully recyclable or compostable or both, says the company. Smol is a subscription service and cannot be bought from supermarkets, cutting out the middleman. They are delivered to your home whenever you need them and affordable at £5.80 for a pack of 30 tablets at the time of writing (March 2023). On the downside, the ingredients aren’t plant based. 

Ecover laundry detergent is plant-based and received Ethical Consumer’s best rating for its approach to toxic chemicals because it has policies banning the use of chemicals, such as phthalates and parabens.   The bottles are made with 100% recycled plastic and are refillable at refill stations dotted across the country. 

Another option is to go completely natural with SoapNuts, the fruit of a wild Nepalese tree. The shell contains a natural soap called saponin, and after use, can be thrown in the compost.

Walk, cycle and take public transport 

Use the bus, cycle or walk rather than drive whenever possible. As well as being better for the environment, walking or cycling improves your health and fitness levels. For longer journeys, use public transport. Wallace said: “Taking the train or bus can be a great way to get a few minutes back to yourself or to connect with friends on a journey. Transport accounts for over half of all greenhouse emissions in the Winchester District,” said Wallace.  Driving will add to your carbon footprint unless you have an electric vehicle. If you drive to work, try to carpool.

Get composting

If you have a garden, you don’t need to rely on the council food waste bin collection service. “We have a compost bin,” said McCulloch who lives with her husband Ian, a retired research librarian and ex-Green councillor turned local party coordinator. “We put our (food) scraps in a little kitchen caddy on the counter and when it’s full we chuck them in the large compost bin in the garden. We ordered some worms online and they are happily munching through the compost. We get some lovely, rich compost from our compost bin.” Their garden also benefits from - horse manure donated by a friend with her own stables in Wickham. “I have horse poo Emma in my phone contacts. I  get a lot of free, well-rotted manure from her,” said McCulloch.

Consider rewilding part of your garden

Be a lazy gardener. It’s better for the planet. It might look super tidy after you’ve mowed the lawn and raked up all the leaves but by removing material you are also breaking the natural cycle of growth and decay that keeps soil healthy and locks in carbon. Wallace explains: “Letting your grass grow longer between cuts allows wildflowers that may be lying dormant to grow, is more drought-resistant and encourages more wildlife, such as bees and hedgehogs, to come into your garden. Britain has lost nearly half of its biodiversity since the Industrial Revolution.  Re-wilding efforts are working to reverse this trend.” 

Still feeling doomed?  Wallace said: “Challenge yourself to make one change to move to a greener lifestyle. Next month, make another change and so on. Each change doesn’t have to be huge but lots of small actions add up to making a big difference. We don’t need a few people tackling this perfectly; we need all of us doing it together imperfectly.”