Reduce
Reduce:
This is about reducing your impact on the environment; this can be done by consuming less and making more sustainable choices. Take a look at our gallery, and hover over the images to discover you can reduce your eco-footprint - remember that even the smaller things make a difference!
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Why is it so important?
It is vital that we all try to reduce our eco-footprint in order to live sustainably. Many of us don't realise the effect we have on the world and it is more important than ever that we begin to change our damaging habits. We cannot keep living the way we are - as a globe we consume too much and throw too much of it away. This has a direct impact on our natural environment which affects habitats and other populations.
There are loads of small changes you can make which will contribute to a greener world and in most cases, a healthier lifestyle. Have a look at the link below to calculate how many planets you would need to support the way you live at the minute, and for some more ideas on how you can make a difference.
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Due to our high emissions, temperatures have risen, which leads to droughts in many poorer countries, impacts agriculture and also endangers animals. In addition to this, sea levels are also rising, which increases the risk of flooding.
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The government have implemented a 2 degree temperature rise limit of which we do not want to reach, however the globe has already warmed o.8 Degrees Celsius. It is expected that there will be an additional 0.5 degree increase as the earth reacts to the enhanced greenhouse gases which we have already emitted. this is 1.3 degrees increase in temperature, it is becoming increasingly worrying how close we are getting to the two degree guard rail.
We can slow this down by changing the way we live and reducing our individual eco-footprints
Buy local fresh and organic produce, as it is much better for you and requires less pollution from transport.
Reduce car emissions, by cycling everywhere!
Reduce the amount of wasted water you produce by turning off the tap quicker.
Reduce your eco footprint by limiting how much meat you consume.
Only buy what you need to reduce wasted products, and materials
Reduce your environmental impact by subscribing to emails, rather than posted mail.
Cook your own food, to reduce the amount of processed food you consume.
Reduce your emissions by switching to more sustainable power sources, such as solar panels
Switch all of the light bulbs in your home to energy saving, or LED bulbs to protect the environment!
Reduce your emissions by letting clothes dry naturally, rather than using a tumble drier.
Wherever you go, remember to clean up after yourself by taking your rubbish with you.
Plant a tree to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere
Wrap up in a cosy blanket rather than using your heating all of the time.
Donating possessions is a great way to clear your home without wasting things
Have your own compost bin to reduce the amount you throw away
Buy fruit when it is in season to reduce transport emissions where fruit is forcefully grown and distributed.
Only turn on the dishwasher when it is full to avoid wasting water.
Ensure your house is insulated very well to reduce the amount of heat lost
Shut your curtains on cold days to keep the heat inside
To save power turn off your electronics overnight
Reduce the amount of time that you spend staring in the freezer, as it must work harder to stay cold.
Does it really matter when I eat specific foods? yes, it REALLY does. Eating food when it is out of season means that it must be forcefully grown, then ripened and stored and transported. This is an extremely in-ecofriendly process. Below is a list of the fruit and vegetables which are in season when.
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January: beetroot, Brussel sprouts, parsnip, apples
February: cauliflower, chicory, leeks, pears
March: purple broccoli, rhubarb, spring onions
April: New potatoes, radishes, watercress
May: asparagus, spinach, spring onions
June: artichoke, carrots, courgettes, runner beans
July: broad beans, cucumber, onions
August: peas, potatoes, raspberries, plums
September: butternut squash, marrow, blackberries
October: celery, kale, chestnuts, elderberries
November: pumpkin, swede, quince, walnuts
December: turnips, leeks, apples
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Between 20 and 40% of fruit and vegetables are rejected by supermarkets every year simply because they are misshapen, and do not fit the cosmetic specifications of the shop. We can reduce this by not being so fussy in what we buy.
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Approximately 7.2 million tonnes of food is thrown away every year. It is important to only buy what you will eat.
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A fluorescent bulb can use 75% less energy than a regular bulb. Replace your incandescent bulbs and replace them with new energy saving bulbs or LEDs.
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Every time you open the fridge door, approximately 30% of the cool air escapes. Limit your time staring at the food content with the door wide open.
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Standby is a state in which electrical possessions are not on and working, but often they display red glowing lights, and still require power. They can use up to 85% of the energy they use when the device is actually on. Please turn electrical objects off completely, this means unplugging them, or turning them off at the wall socket, not just switching the 'off' button.