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Climate Change

Small ways we can make a difference & making it more accessible: ideas and resources.

55 replies

KoraBora · 12/02/2019 23:30

Sorry if this is a bit messy, it's been running through my head in a stream of consciousness and trying to get out is always difficult.

I really want to reduce the amount of waste I produce and lessen my impact upon the environment. But I often find it very overwhelming. I've read blogs and the like but it seems like so much work and I can never achieve that level of perfection or expense. I have recently been reading a book called Atomic Habits by James Clear. In the book he talks about the British Cycling Team and how they went from being so bad that some manufacturers didn't want to sell them their bicycles to dominating the world. It was done through lots of tiny improvements, a 1% improvement in loads of different areas. All these tiny improvements add up to huge changes. If we all made a tiny improvement we can make big changes.

It doesn't have to mean perfection either. Take tampons. The best solution is to use a mooncup, but it has a high initial outlay and is largely unsuitable for teenage girls who want internal protection (I found it tough enough using tampons then). But while mooncup are the best choice I would say the worst choice is the plastic applicator tampons. Using tampons with a biodegradable cardboard applicator is an improvement. Non applicator tampons is an improvement again. Don't aim for perfection aim to improve and start to pressure companies to stop providing the worst option (plastic applicators) when an equally easy (cardboard applicators) option exists.

I really wanted to use cloth nappies. But I have bad anxiety and a busy head and I knew I wouldn't stay on top of cloth nappies so I use disposables. I am now researching cloth nappies. I may not make a full switch but if I buy one single cloth nappy, soak it when necessary (and we all have enough poopy clothes regardless) and wash with my normal wash, even if I just use that nappy twice a week I will save 104 nappies a year from landfill. That cloth nappy can be reused, passed on and reused more. I don't need to be the perfect cloth nappy user to start making changes. I may find cloth nappies easier than I thought and add more.

I guess it is making the changes easier and more accessible so we can build on them if we can.

What I would really like to do is for us (I can't do it alone) to start a number of threads broken down into different areas (I.e. beauty, food storage, baby, recycling, transport). We could look at different areas, go through ideas, tips, try things out and make improvements. Ultimately we could provide a good master list/resource maybe in the form of a new website to allow people to make small positive improvements that are accessible to them with zero judgement. Like beeswax wraps may be the most eco friendly way to wrap your sandwiches, but thick plastic bags which could be washed and reused like the Ikea ones are a better choice than cling film or cheap bags which rip easily and have to be thrown away after a single use. Step ups are often easier to achieve.

Discussion threads could be linked on different boards so style and beauty for toiletries etc and housekeeping for cleaning products to widen the reach.

Above all I want it to be a positive environment without condemnation. No matter what anyone thinks about climate change surely no one can argue with less waste, lower energy bills and a more pleasant environment for us and future generations. If people want debate threads they can, of course, have them but debate isn't part of the information threads unless it is about what option is truly lower impact I.e. glass is heavier than plastic and more expensive to transport, is locally produced meat more environmentally friendly than quinoa shipped from South America?

So, if you made it this far, are you interested? Ideas, tips, condemnation Blush.

OP posts:
Poolbank · 07/05/2019 22:49

Great ideas here. The main
Mantra ishould be small consistent steps make a difference and communicate communicate communicate. We can set an example and shame/ encourage our friends to do the same. I also find that a few minutes planning makes a huge difference. What is more important than saving our plant
Great stuff
PS read today that the Uks coal fired power stations had been of line for the longest period ever. Great news but isn’t gas just as bad in terms of co2 emissions. Turn down the heating in unused rooms and invest in solar panels it make sense for me

Lancelottie · 09/05/2019 14:31

No, gas isn't quite as bad. The reason is that cola is (almost) entirely carbon, so the only thing burning to give you heat is carbon, so the emissions are almost entirely CO2. With gas, you are burning hydrogen as well as carbon to create the heat, so some of the emissions per unit of heat are CO2 and some H2O (water, in other words).

Then it all gets complicated as you consider water vapour feedbacks and lifetimes in the atmosphere, but that's the short version!

Lancelottie · 09/05/2019 14:31

That would make a LOT more sense if it hadn't corrected coal to cola. Don't try to use that as a fuel.

fivecupsoftea · 12/05/2019 13:55

Great thread. I want to make my own washing up liquid. I’ve googled recipes, but I’m unsure where to source the soap and whether liquid soap or soap flakes is better? I’ve looked online at Tesco’s, but can’t see any suitable soap - I wondered if I could just buy their own brand bar of soap at about 16p and grate it? I see there is Castile soap on amazon, but that will be delivered in a cardboard box and is also quite expensive. Any suggestions?

MelanieCheeks · 12/05/2019 14:12

So far I have:

Cut down on meat
Make my own lunches, in reusable tubs
Laundry egg from Lakeland
Reusable water bottle and coffee cup
No new clothes
Solid shampoo and soap
Taking ferry and bus instead of flying
Reduce food waste

I am still too reliant on car, so that's my ñext target.

abitoflight · 05/06/2019 21:46

Was wondering about buying a microwave steamer
I know they are plastic. I used a 2 tiered one years ago - water at the bottom and 2 layers for veg etc above. Quick and simple.
Surely uses less gas or electricity than boiling veg? Thoughts?

RandomMess · 05/06/2019 21:51

We have a hob top steamer use it every day 🤷🏽‍♀️

3girlsExpert · 05/06/2019 21:57

sorry i have not checked mums net for a bit - was too busy, but I am super happy to see more and more discussions about environmental awareness. I have 3 girls myself and want them to have a green planet to live on, and thats why my new business donates % of our revenue (from each sale through our website) to the World Land Trust (Action fund to support most urgent green conservation projects). We also give some great ideas on our blogs - for example a beehive as an idea for Fathers Day present ha ha. vouchershares.co.uk/blog/fathers-day-deals-and-fathers-day-card-ideas-for-fathers-day-2019/ Buy overall - i run vouchers website and i don't mean to advertise it here too much, but grate to see like minded people here - the more we do together on recycling waste and protecting our land in any possible way - the more chances our children (and my 3 girls) will have brighter future.

nevernotstruggling · 06/06/2019 10:15

@Lancelottie I am dying at cola GrinGrin

ifonly4 · 19/06/2019 10:52

I've slowly been making one or two simple changes, and came on here for more ideas, so thanks for the thread OP. Recently I've stopped putting loose produce in plastic bags, started using hard soap and if I need to buy something in a container, make sure it can at least be recycled, ie deordrant. We were dismayed to find a recent takeaway came in plastic containers, but have turned this into a positive and use them for our sandwiches, rather than cling film, bags. We're lucky to have takeaways, shops withing a 10 min walking distance so only use the car if it's pouring with rain, need to do a massive shop. We reuse bottles for water. I noticed one manufacturer has started using recycled plastic for fabric conditioner, so keeping my eyes out for more. DD sent me a link for Nature care sanitary towels on offer in Holland and Barratt, whcih she wants to try.

Is there anywhere obvious that recycles plastic wrappers, has anyone literally just returned them to the supermarket? Also, can anyone let me know what the solid shampoos and conditioners are like to use please.

DD doesn't live with us, but very proud as she has university offers for sustainable development. Hopefully I'll learn a lot more from her.

WindsweptEgret · 22/06/2019 09:29

Switch to a green energy supplier.
I've just switched to Ecotricity.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/254607

climate change petition gaining momentum
Thanks for the link, there's also one to make ECOCIDE a UK criminal offence, it's only been up a few days but it's currently at 4000 signatures and gaining 60 signatures an hour. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/263605

Littletabbyocelot · 29/06/2019 10:04

@73kittycat73 sorry its taken me so long to see your question. Count the kicks do a lot of recycling, they have a big Facebook group. If you have a school pta, terracycle give money to schools for recycling all sorts.

onescaredmummy · 27/07/2019 17:32

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EdithWeston · 29/08/2019 09:11

It's quite dispiriting to see how much single-use plastic there is in food packaging, so I think countering that might be my starting point

Some supermarkets have bins where you can leave excess packaging (aren't they all menat to have them?) and that is a form of voting with feet, is it not? Making it the retailers' issue to deal with waste, and perhaps see how they bear down on it

I think I already buy far fewer clothes and makeup/grooming products than the typical MNetter, and feeling good about some habits can set up a really useful personal 'halo effect' which motivates towards a few more changes

ravenshope · 14/11/2019 05:08

I've finally woken up to all this. Already pescetarian and eat little dairy, never fly and don't drive, have no children but two dogs (none of these is for environmental reasons though).
Starting to look into plastic free alternatives to toiletries and through the Christmas board have come across companies that sell eg shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes etc.
Cleaning product-wise, what is an effective substitute for bleach re drains and toilets?

EmpressLesbianInChair · 14/11/2019 06:18

Wilko have a ‘Doesn’t cost the earth’ eco cleaning range including toilet cleaner, or there’s Ecover.

theneverendinglaundry · 16/11/2019 19:34

Yes the wilko eco range is very good, and probably one of the cheapest eco ranges.

EcoEve83 · 25/11/2019 16:01

Small changes are the best way to go! I've been trying to make small changes in my lifestyle and I'm noticing a huge difference already with the reduction of waste I make and in my carbon-footprint.

-Switched single use coffee cups to a 'Huski Home' re-usable cup

-Switched buying plastic bottles to a re-usable water bottle

-Switched single-use makeup wipes to re-usable fabric makeup pads

-Started donating to 'MyTrees' when I can, a company that plant trees with Conservation International. I don't have a garden to plant trees so this is a fantastic option for me- they even run a prize draw every week to thank their donators, so it's a win-win on that front! Find them here: bit.ly/My-Trees

These are all small changes but were surprisingly easy to adapt to and I feel like I'm doing my bit to help combat climate change. Every little helps! x

gospelsinger · 04/01/2020 20:17

This year I will:

  1. Switch to green energy supplier
  2. Not fly anywhere
  3. Not snack on cheese, reduce meat consumption
Things I will continue with that I already do. 1.Buy no more than six new items of clothing in a year
  1. Take reusable cup and water bottle with me when on a journey
  2. Use washable San pro for most of time. With tampons for when at work.
  3. Grow veg (actually DH does that. I cook it.)
  4. Cycle where possible
  5. Try to reduce plastic where possible.
latenightcakes · 23/07/2020 22:10

Only just spotted this thread, love it and all the great ideas people have contributed.

One that I’m determined to work on, and it’s a bit of a pain in the a*rse, but has impact, moving some or all of your savings, Isas, pension funds away from the fossil fuel and petro chemical companies.

See if you can find investments that are more ethically and environmentally responsible.

Think about it, if more of us moved our money then these huge multinationals wouldn’t have the billions to pump into environmentally damaging industries.

shakymum · 05/08/2020 19:02

One small thing that most people, if not everyone, can easily do is add some greenery to the world. Grow plants, veg, trees in whatever space you can find. Small or large, aim for greener cities, towns and homes. Stop the inevitable march of concrete. If you live in a flat, grow something in a pot. If you have a garden, be ambitious and see what you can grow.

purpledagger · 08/10/2020 23:37

I agree with shakeymum. I grew sunflowers this year and was surprised at the amount of insects they attracted.

My garden is just lawn and not much else, but I'm determined to plant lots is flowers next year to attract insects and butterflies.

I also bought a bird feeder and keep it stocked with bird seed (which is surprisingly cheap).

TallGiraffe20 · 10/10/2020 18:44

We've really started to think about how our food impacts the climate recently. At the start of the pandemic, we had no idea of the impact our food had but all the articles about where our food comes from and why the supermarket shelves were bare really opened our eyes! I didn't realise the supermarkets were so damaging - I knew farmers didn't get a good price but not the impact of industrial farming that goes hand in hand with the likes of Tesco and Lidl.

We've started buying our food away from supermarkets and making sure it's organic. We try to go to the farmer's market or direct from the farm but it's hard being in central London. We've just started using Tend for the past couple of weeks. They let us order direct from different farms and have a big focus on sustainability which is great. Will let you know how it goes

climatepragmatist · 20/10/2020 13:33

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riotlady · 09/08/2021 21:53

@ifonly4 my local Sainsburys has a big bin for recycling soft plastic (like carrier bags or wrapping for bread)-not sure if it’s a nationwide thing but worth checking!