The changes needed for the eco-crisis are no less urgent, and although some are restrictive, many can actually improve the quality of our human experience! The change should be led by the government, as for Covid-19. Nevertheless, we can send out ripples, where the actions of one person get multiplied, where a community, company or country will start to influence others. We don’t all have to be like Greta Thunberg, but we can all play our part.

Personal Actions

Steps you can take that will make a difference to help address the crisis.

Many of these suggested actions have been taken from There is No Planet B by Mike Berners-Lee and also L is for Lifestyle by Ruth Valerio.

Diet

Buy and eat food that supports biodiversity. Plant-based foods are much better than meat and dairy. Especially avoid cows, sheep and goats (methane-burping ruminants) as farmed animals require ten-times as much land to produce the same nutrients. Try to avoid products made with (unsustainable) palm oil.

Information and ideas offered by Friends of the Earth and Green Eatz. Try organic boxes (Soil Association).

Supply Chains

Look at the source of food you buy, the clothes you wear and the equipment you use. How many miles has it travelled, and how? How much precious water was used?

Use your LOAF! which stands for (in priority order) Locally produced, Organically grown, Animal friendly, Fairly traded (Fairtrade). Use the Good Fish Guide (also available as a handy mobile app) from MSC.

Renewables

Support energy efficient low carbon technology - insulate your house, put up solar panels, push for your pension to divest from fossil fuel instead of investing in solutions the world needs. If you need a car, buy electric. Switch to a green energy supplier.

Values

Spend time thinking, talking and developing values where everyone has equal worth; respect and care for the world; and insist on truth everywhere; and teach our children to do the same. Use FactCheck and Snopes to uncover media and political falsehoods.

Enjoy simple things more – walks, books, local holidays (or if further afield, meet people who think, see and live differently from you, coming back with a wider view of the world and a greater sense of global empathy).

Energy Demand

Decrease energy consumption in your home, e.g. by turning the thermostat down and wearing jumpers. Fly less if at all – pledge to be flight free!. Reduce car use, especially for short distances, and drive slower (less than 60mph). Instead, use shared transport such as the bus or train, or car sharing.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We have a problem with Stuff: we have too much of it, too much of it is toxic, and we don’t share it very well. But that’s not the way things have to be. Watch Story of Stuff about the lifecycle of material goods. Support the movement to buy less.

Let’s waste less (especially food) and make things last longer - then recycle. How to Recycle, campaign against plastic and reduce bathroom plastics. Recycling options search near you and other WRAP campaigns.

Support

Support organisations and campaigns that are advocating political and personal action on climate change - such as Tearfund and Christian Aid. Look at how your money is invested in light of Ethical Consumer advice.