Category: Counting On …

Reflections and actions during COP26 and going on

Counting on …. day 303 

8th September 2022

Environmentally kind resolutions include greening our energy use. This could be switching to a green energy supplier; swopping all light bulbs with an LED equivalent; being conscious of how much energy we use and reducing by turning appliances off when not in use, and use them for shorter periods of time. The work of kitchen aids – such as cake mixers and coffee grinders can be done by hand – and the work of vacuum cleaners especially on hard surfaces can be done with a brush; hair can be rubbed dry with a towel; daily showers can be alternated with a good basin wash. 

This month, compared with the same month last year, we have consumed 90% less gas and 50% less electricity.

Counting on …day 301

6th September 2022

Consuming less can also mean discarding. Do a survey of your dustbin. What are you throwing out? Could any of it be recycled, repaired or reused? Do some of the things that you buy come with too much packaging? Could you shop differently? What would it take to half the amount of rubbish you produce each week? What would it take to reduce it to zero? 

https://www.derjogger.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Reduce-Repair-Reuse-Recycle-Titelbild.png

Counting on …day 300

5th September 2022

Consuming less is one clear way of being kind to the environment. Consuming less is not about being parsimonious nor being a kill joy. It can involve buying second hand – pre-loved – items. It is equally about ‘loving’ what we do have. Why not look through your wardrobe or your cupboard and pick out a favourite item that you have had for a long while, and appreciate its personal history. 

Counting on …day 299 

4th September 2022

Environmentally kind resolutions can include our gardens – making space and caring for nature. You might set aside part of your garden for wildlife. Climate  change places extra pressures on wildlife so give them a helping hand by encouraging wild plants (weeds) to colonise part of your garden. Nettles are very good for ladybirds and butterflies, dandelions flowers are good for bees and dandelion seeds are tasty food for goldfinches.

For further thoughts see  https://greentau.org/2022/04/04/the-green-tau-issue-39/ and 

Eco Tips: Welcoming Garden Birds

Counting on …day 298 

3rd September 2022 

Cycles of all shapes and sizes benefit from regular cleaning and maintenance: and you are rewarded with a speedy and comfortable ride. Even in the summer cycles get dirty with a grime that clogs moving parts. Once cleaned, lightly oil the chain. Check brakes and adjust or replace as necessary: in wet weather well adjusted brakes are an essential safety measure.

As the nights begin to draw in, make sure that you have a set of functioning front and rear lights. 

Counting on … day 297

2nd September 2022

As the summer holidays end and schools go back, it feels as if a new term is starting for us all. This can be a good time for setting in place new intentions or resolutions about how we live and how we care for the world around us. 

Whilst the weather is still mild, it is a good time to develop the habit of active travel – using walking, cycling and public transport as our go-to means of getting around. Good for the environment and good for both our physical and mental health.

Counting on … day 296

1st September 2022

Today is the beginning of creation-tide which is a season observed by many churches and denominations across the globe. Last year I put together a series of images, one for each day, under the title of Falling in Love Again. Here is the link to the first one – https://greentau.org/2021/09/01/falling-in-love-again/

Counting on … day 295

31st August 2022

A message from our milk delivery service: “Rinse, Return, Repeat. Did you know, our glass bottles are reused an average of 25 times before being recycled? But, this is only possible with your help!

We’re sometimes unable to re-use returned glass bottles if there are too many traces of juice and milk left behind, and this is an important part of ensuring our cycle is zero waste.”

– a message which equally applies to plastic food cartons that we put out for recycling.

Counting on…. Day 294 

30th September 2022

Much of the plastic that ends up polluting the oceans gets there via streams and rivers. And the plastic that ends up in the streams and rivers is either litter that has been thoughtlessly discarded or plastic that has fallen or been blown out of recycling bins. We can help in three ways – firstly not thoughtlessly discarding plastic (which I am sure we wouldn’t). Secondly by picking up litter and disposing of it safely. Thirdly by ensuring that the plastic in our recycling bins is flattened as much as possible and packed (eg stacking similar sized pots or trays together) so that there are no loose pieces that can easily be dislodged. Aim for a neat and condensely  packed  bin.