It can seem as if all the things we could or should do to tackle the climate crisis, involve discomfort, hard work, extra complications etc and yet only produce a potential benefit that will accrue some years in to the future.
So instead here are some things that are fun, easy, enjoyable, rewarding, and/ or have an immediate effect.
- Swopping to a green energy supplier – https://greentau.org/tag/renewable-energy/
- swopping to a environmentally friendly bank – https://greentau.org/2021/12/04/counting-on-day-21/
- swopping to an environmentally friendly insurer when house/ contents/ car or bike/ travel insurance one’s due for renewal
- Green your pension – https://greentau.org/2021/09/07/count-down-45/
- Reading a book – even more environmentally friendly if it’s second hand or borrowed from the library
- One of my top treats: going to a local independent coffee shop for coffee and cake. Look for one that sources its beans responsibly.
- Combine the two and enjoy a coffee whilst reading a book!
- Invest in a reusable takeout coffee cup or flask (the latter allows you to take a good cup of coffee with you for later) https://greentau.org/2021/08/02/count-down-10/
- Invest in a reusable water bottle – https://greentau.org/2022/07/24/counting-on-day-255/
- Riding a cycle and gaining increasing confidence
- Declutter your home. Having just the things you want and need is liberating and those things you don’t need or like can be re-liberated via a charity shop, second hand sites etc.
- Going for a walk through green spaces (although just at the moment they may look a little on the yellow side – in 2022 we had a drought whilst 2024 is providing to be wet and therefore green)
- Swop dairy for oat milk in your coffee – https://greentau.org/category/count-down/page/10/
- Eat a good quality vegan ice cream – try Hackney Gelato or Booja Booja
- Swop liquid soaps and shampoos for solid plastic free products.
- Look out for B Corp companies – they will be making a positive difference – https://greentau.org/2022/02/24/eco-tips/
- Grow some mustard and cress seeds or sprout some sprouting seeds for a home grown salad – https://greentau.org/2021/07/29/count-down-6/
- Alternate days swop your shower for a wash – you will still be clean but it will noticeably save both water and energy
- Visit a local museum or art gallery – many are free but you may want to support them with a donation or by buying something you like in their shop/ café.
- Go and see a film or play at your local cinema/ theatre: paying for experiences rather than things is likely to have a lower environmental impact. Theatres and cinemas can both make significant steps to reduce their impact on the environment – https://juliesbicycle.com/our-work/creative-green/
- If you have the space, set up a bird feeding station – https://greentau.org/2021/09/08/count-down-46/
- Bake your own bread.
- Embrace vintage or second hand clothes – https://greentau.org/2021/09/01/count-down-39/
- Take up sketching
- Have a vegan week – borrow a recipe book from a friend or local library or look online for inspiration – https://greentau.org/tag/vegan/
- Go out for a (plastic free) picnic – https://greentau.org/tag/plastic-free/
- Go out for breakfast – either a picnic or try out a local independent café.
The Green Tau 