Action 61: Recycle blister packs used for packaging tablets and pills. Superdrug have recycling collection points in all their stores. And not does that just recycle material that would otherwise go to waste, it also earns money which supports the Marie Curie charity.
Action 60: Make geranium cuttings. By cutting of a healthy branch from a geranium plant, and potting it up, you can grow a whole new plant. These can be overwintered indoors ready for the spring.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/propagation_pelargoniums1.shtml
Action 59: Turn sheets edge to centre. When sheets become worn and thin in the middle, cut them in half length ways. Hem the raw edges and then stitch together the two outer edges. The outer edges of the sheet will have plenty of life left in them.
Action 58: Sponsor a seed bank. Climate change and the destruction of natural habitats is threatening many plant species with extinction. Seed banks, such as the one at Kew, collect and safeguard seeds from as many plants as possible to ensure that they are not lost forever.
https://adoptaseed.kew.org/adopt-a-seed.html
Action 57: Second Hand September is a good reminder to us not to hoard things we don’t need or don’t use. These can be given a new lease of life in someone else’s home – so why not have a autumn clear out and feel less cluttered?
Action 56: Autumn brings in new fruits and vegetables that are much to be enjoyed – different varieties of squash, apples and quinces and pears, cobnuts, sweet corn …. Why not have a vegan fortnight and see how many different dishes you can make?
Pumpkin Risotto
Dice one small onion and a couple of garlic cloves. Fry gently in a little rape seed oil.
Add 250g arborio rice and stir well. Allow the rice to gently brown before adding a little hot water and stir well.
Once the water has been absorbed, add a little more and stir. Add ground pepper and some yeast flakes for extra flavour. You might also like to add a little rosemary or thyme.
Dice half a small pumpkin, or squash, and add to the rice. Continue to stir and add water until the rice is nice and plump.
Finally add a knob of vegan butter and some chopped walnuts and serve.
Action 55: Nature has a tendency to be over abundant in its fruits, and this year, having had plenty of rain, there is a lovely crop of black berries. Whilst these will feed various creatures, there will be enough for us to garner a few too. Sweet chestnuts are another fruit people forage – but if you go into Richmond Park, please don’t collect them as the resident deer do rely on these for their food.
Action 54: Give your bike a thorough service so it is ready for the colder months ahead. Or book it in with a bike shop for a service.
With warm and water proof clothing you can enjoy cycling throughout the months ahead. Sustrans offers advice and tips on cycling and its benefits – https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/2020/everyday-walking-and-cycling/how-to-cycle-in-the-rain-look-after-your-bike-and-keep-yourself-dry/
Action 52: Plant a tree. Autumn is a good time to plant trees – if you have space why not plant an apple tree in your garden? Alternatively why not sponsor a tree? Trees, as they grow, support many different creatures as well as absorbing carbon dioxide.
The National Trust aims to plant 20 million trees by 2030: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/plant-a-tree?intcmp=plant_atree_summer21_propertypages_teaser
Action 51: When the Count Down began some six weeks ago, one of the first actions was to talk to a friend about the climate crisis. Why not repeat the action? You could talk about the things you have done and learnt over the last 50 days.
The Green Tau 