Sometimes it can be overwhelming when we're told left, right and centre what we could do to make our world (both personally and bigger-picture wise) a better place. Here are some really simple things that you can do today which will have a positive impact on the planet.
1. Say hello to a stranger
I do this all the time when walking. If if meet anyone, I say hello. About 95% of people respond and the bonus is that you sometimes get a lovely smile or two. It will make you happier and give others happiness too. Being green isn't just all about recycling :)
2. Plant some seeds or a plant
If you're short for space, you could have an indoor plant or a window box. For some reason, our Rocket always self seeds in the cracks of our paved area by the back door. It certainly doesn't require much space, here's a photo:
Many places now have community gardens where you can get involved. Here are a couple of examples in our area; Priors Park Community Garden in Tewkesbury and Cheltenham's Sandford Park has an Edible Garden.
3. Green your shopping
Do this by swapping one item that you buy regularly for its green equivalent, eg start buying organic pasta or organic tinned tomatoes and don't look back. It may cost a little more, but you're less likely to waste any, plus the planet and your body will thank you for it. Or perhaps you usually buy some fruit or vegetables in plastic bags and you could ditch the plastic and buy them loose.
4. Eat a vegetarian meal
Go veggie tonight, or tomorrow (or both), or make your meal vegan if you're already veggie. If you're already vegan, try something new. We eat veggie/vegan food at least four times a week, I love creating new meals and have many simple, tried and tested recipes - let me know if you'd like one.
5. Avoid that aisle
Supermarkets love you to buy things you didn't know you needed (in fact you almost certainly don't need them). If you don't go down the aisle, you'll never know what you weren't missing. People impulse buy all sorts of things from smoothie makers to BBQs, there are gadgets for this, that and the other which often don't get used more than once. This way, you won't need the car to carry them home and you'll save some pennies (probably some pounds actually).
6. Pick up a piece of litter
Then recycle it (or bin it if it's not recyclable). Here's a previous blog I wrote all about Litter. Today I picked up part of a motorbike, (a reasonably small part!) a strip of metal, a biscuit wrapper and a golf ball. All have now been recycled.
7. Walk your journey
Next time you're going somewhere in your car that you could walk or cycle, try it. Sometimes it's actually quicker and more convenient and you don't have to pay to park. You could ask a friend, neighbour or family member to join you.
8. Stop the junk
You can stop the junk mail that gets delivered with your post. Yes you can recycle these annoying flyers, but Recycling isn't always best. It's much better not to have them in the first place and they certainly mount up. You just have to fill in a form and send it to the Royal Mail, here's the link: Opt Out
9. A secret good deed
Do something kind for someone, but don't tell them. It can be as simple as posting an unsigned postcard with a lovely picture, bringing in your neighbour's bin for them or...I can't tell you what mine was today as it's secret.
Summary:
How many of these things will you do today? Let me know which change(s) you made.
1. Say hello to a stranger
I do this all the time when walking. If if meet anyone, I say hello. About 95% of people respond and the bonus is that you sometimes get a lovely smile or two. It will make you happier and give others happiness too. Being green isn't just all about recycling :)
2. Plant some seeds or a plant
If you're short for space, you could have an indoor plant or a window box. For some reason, our Rocket always self seeds in the cracks of our paved area by the back door. It certainly doesn't require much space, here's a photo:
Many places now have community gardens where you can get involved. Here are a couple of examples in our area; Priors Park Community Garden in Tewkesbury and Cheltenham's Sandford Park has an Edible Garden.
3. Green your shopping
Do this by swapping one item that you buy regularly for its green equivalent, eg start buying organic pasta or organic tinned tomatoes and don't look back. It may cost a little more, but you're less likely to waste any, plus the planet and your body will thank you for it. Or perhaps you usually buy some fruit or vegetables in plastic bags and you could ditch the plastic and buy them loose.
4. Eat a vegetarian meal
Go veggie tonight, or tomorrow (or both), or make your meal vegan if you're already veggie. If you're already vegan, try something new. We eat veggie/vegan food at least four times a week, I love creating new meals and have many simple, tried and tested recipes - let me know if you'd like one.
5. Avoid that aisle
Supermarkets love you to buy things you didn't know you needed (in fact you almost certainly don't need them). If you don't go down the aisle, you'll never know what you weren't missing. People impulse buy all sorts of things from smoothie makers to BBQs, there are gadgets for this, that and the other which often don't get used more than once. This way, you won't need the car to carry them home and you'll save some pennies (probably some pounds actually).
6. Pick up a piece of litter
Then recycle it (or bin it if it's not recyclable). Here's a previous blog I wrote all about Litter. Today I picked up part of a motorbike, (a reasonably small part!) a strip of metal, a biscuit wrapper and a golf ball. All have now been recycled.
7. Walk your journey
Next time you're going somewhere in your car that you could walk or cycle, try it. Sometimes it's actually quicker and more convenient and you don't have to pay to park. You could ask a friend, neighbour or family member to join you.
8. Stop the junk
You can stop the junk mail that gets delivered with your post. Yes you can recycle these annoying flyers, but Recycling isn't always best. It's much better not to have them in the first place and they certainly mount up. You just have to fill in a form and send it to the Royal Mail, here's the link: Opt Out
9. A secret good deed
Do something kind for someone, but don't tell them. It can be as simple as posting an unsigned postcard with a lovely picture, bringing in your neighbour's bin for them or...I can't tell you what mine was today as it's secret.
Summary:
- Smile at a stranger
- Plant some seeds
- Green your shopping
- Meat / dairy free day
- Avoid the aisle
- Litter pick
- Walk your journey
- Junk the junk mail
- Secret kindness
How many of these things will you do today? Let me know which change(s) you made.
Funnily enough I already do 7 of these already. Vegan / Vegetarian suggestion will not be an active choice for myself as I believe vegetables etc. are already part of my sustainable lifestyle diet. Following one kind of food source in your diet is something I strongly disagree with. Keeping your options open is more realistic in my view. However, life is all about individual choices. ��
ReplyDeleteYes, it's all about choice. These are just ideas that readers may like to consider.
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