There are many things people can do about climate change (the new book, “How to reduce your carbon emissions and save on your bills lists over 100), but people are busy and don’t have time to research what they should do or how they can do it, so each month one action is selected as a Just One Thing you can do.
December:
give experiences rather than stuff
This Just One Thing is provided courtesy of Anne Snelson (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anne-snelson-bsc-dipm-mba-93a6701_on-the-2nd-day-of-our-sustainable-christmas-activity-7401511716133679105-DIOr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAEjLEIB1e5oumvzClP0uo5HJMONEXj7JOY)
If we don’t actually need more stuff can we swap to things we and our loved ones really want?
❓ Could we make some gifts experiences instead?
How about a:
👉 Relaxing massage?
👉 Theatre night out?
👉 Day at the footy? or even
👉 A lesson in cooking from nature?
Why not give some hints about things you really need? It stops that horrendous feeling when you open your fourth box of smellies/socks/weird teas/shortbreads and think "What on earth am I going to do with this?!"
❓ And what do you get for the ‘person who has everything’?
🐯 🌴 Why not gift them a tiger or some trees?
(Check out The Woodland Trust and WWF - they have lots of ideas!)
❓If finance is tight why not agree a "Christmas of Connection"? Then create a card and voucher, promising some time off together.
👉 Experts say it's much better for our mental health than focusing on ‘things’!
If we don’t actually need more stuff can we swap to things we and our loved ones really want?
❓ Could we make some gifts experiences instead?
How about a:
👉 Relaxing massage?
👉 Theatre night out?
👉 Day at the footy? or even
👉 A lesson in cooking from nature?
Why not give some hints about things you really need? It stops that horrendous feeling when you open your fourth box of smellies/socks/weird teas/shortbreads and think "What on earth am I going to do with this?!"
❓ And what do you get for the ‘person who has everything’?
🐯 🌴 Why not gift them a tiger or some trees?
(Check out The Woodland Trust and WWF - they have lots of ideas!)
❓If finance is tight why not agree a "Christmas of Connection"? Then create a card and voucher, promising some time off together.
👉 Experts say it's much better for our mental health than focusing on ‘things’!
November
Repair rather than Replace
The Action in a nutshell
By repairing, we cut waste and save all the materials, energy and cash needed to make and transport new things. Repair has greater climate impacts because it displaces production of new stuff, which reduces many kinds of environmental harm, including greenhouse gas emissions and resource extraction.
Repairing is becoming easier with the growth of community repair projects and Repair Cafes. These are welcoming spaces which bring people together to share skills and do something positive and practical together. By taking time to mend items for people, community repair projects encourage people to rethink the value of the things we own which are celebrated and welcomed rather than seen as disposable. It’s also a way of appreciating and valuing the skills of volunteers.
There are now over 800 Repair Cafes in the Community Repair Network – you can find your nearest one here: : Find a repair group - Community Repair Network
Its potential impact
It's is been estimated (Stephen Privett, 2019) that each repair saving an average of 24Kg CO2e (a little over 1 pair of jeans worth). If data from the Hampshire Repair Cafe Network is representative, the total saving from Repair Cafes would be 8 kilotons (kt) CO2e or 430,000 pairs of jeans.
By repairing, we cut waste and save all the materials, energy and cash needed to make and transport new things. Repair has greater climate impacts because it displaces production of new stuff, which reduces many kinds of environmental harm, including greenhouse gas emissions and resource extraction.
Repairing is becoming easier with the growth of community repair projects and Repair Cafes. These are welcoming spaces which bring people together to share skills and do something positive and practical together. By taking time to mend items for people, community repair projects encourage people to rethink the value of the things we own which are celebrated and welcomed rather than seen as disposable. It’s also a way of appreciating and valuing the skills of volunteers.
There are now over 800 Repair Cafes in the Community Repair Network – you can find your nearest one here: : Find a repair group - Community Repair Network
Its potential impact
It's is been estimated (Stephen Privett, 2019) that each repair saving an average of 24Kg CO2e (a little over 1 pair of jeans worth). If data from the Hampshire Repair Cafe Network is representative, the total saving from Repair Cafes would be 8 kilotons (kt) CO2e or 430,000 pairs of jeans.
October
Move your Money
The Action in a nutshell
One of the most impactful actions suggested in “How to reduce your carbon emissions and save money on your bills” is to “Choose responsible bank, mortgage and pension providers”. This is now easier than you might think because you don’t have to sacrifice anything since the latest research shows that clean energy stocks outperform the major equity indexes.
The recommended UK banks and building societies are:
Use https://www.banktrack.org/banks to find out about your bank and any dodgy deals it’s involved in.
Find a list of green banks here: https://bank.green/sustainable-eco-banks
Find a ranking of Asset Managers here: https://shareaction.org/reports/point-of-no-returns-2025?token=kdFYUsAe6aL84Oj0_uIyQAILL63J8K0B
Its potential impact
its impact is difficult to quantify. However, it can be one of the most effective things you can do because of the signals it sends and the potential multiplier effect. If your financial advisor, bank or pension provider is aware that you’re choosing providers based on environmental and carbon considerations this may influence them, especially if other customers do as well.
One of the most impactful actions suggested in “How to reduce your carbon emissions and save money on your bills” is to “Choose responsible bank, mortgage and pension providers”. This is now easier than you might think because you don’t have to sacrifice anything since the latest research shows that clean energy stocks outperform the major equity indexes.
The recommended UK banks and building societies are:
- Chelsea Building Society
- Co-operative bank
- Coventry Building Society
- Leeds Building Society
- Monzo
- Metro Bank
- Nationwide Building Society
- Nottingham Building Society
- Skipton Building Society
- Starling
- Triodos
- TSB
- Virgin Money
- Yorkshire Building Society
Use https://www.banktrack.org/banks to find out about your bank and any dodgy deals it’s involved in.
Find a list of green banks here: https://bank.green/sustainable-eco-banks
Find a ranking of Asset Managers here: https://shareaction.org/reports/point-of-no-returns-2025?token=kdFYUsAe6aL84Oj0_uIyQAILL63J8K0B
Its potential impact
its impact is difficult to quantify. However, it can be one of the most effective things you can do because of the signals it sends and the potential multiplier effect. If your financial advisor, bank or pension provider is aware that you’re choosing providers based on environmental and carbon considerations this may influence them, especially if other customers do as well.
september
Plane to train
The Action in a nutshell
Rail travel emits around a fifth of the carbon (CO2e) as air travel so it’s well worth swapping where possible. In fact, in France, air travel is banned where there is a rail alternative which takes less than 2.5 hours.
Its potential impact
The savings from some of the air routes from London with a direct rail service are:
Additional guidance
To explore rail options in Europe you can use https://www.raileurope.com/ or https://rail.ninja/
Rail travel emits around a fifth of the carbon (CO2e) as air travel so it’s well worth swapping where possible. In fact, in France, air travel is banned where there is a rail alternative which takes less than 2.5 hours.
Its potential impact
The savings from some of the air routes from London with a direct rail service are:
Additional guidance
To explore rail options in Europe you can use https://www.raileurope.com/ or https://rail.ninja/
August
The Action in a nutshell
In a time of water shortages and hosepipe bans it’s a good time to consider how your garden (if you have one) can reduce your carbon emissions, save you money and help the environment. Key actions include using a water butt, composting waste and growing your own herbs, fruit and veg.
Its potential impact
As well as saving water and reducing carbon from avoiding the transport associated with purchasing fruit and veg, you can benefit from spending time outside and nurturing your garden.
Additional guidance
The RHS provides useful guidance here:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardening-for-the-environment
