Weekly Green Tau

Counting on … day 16

16th January 2024

Reusing rather than replacing can also apply to clothes. Some of our favourite pieces of clothing are often items we have had for many years. I have jumpers that go back 40 years and a kilt that is even older (I had it second hand as a child).

Reusing can also including passing on clothes such as from older to younger children, or between generations. I have several items originally worn by my mother. My husband has items that belonged to his father whilst some of his father’s clothes have already  been appropriated by our youngest son who loves the 1930s style. 

An alternative way of reusing clothes is to repurpose or reshape them. A pair of trousers that becomes ragged at the knees can be repaired or it can be repurposed as a pair of shorts – potentially leaving you some extra material from the bottoms that can be used to patch something else or to make a small bag. A skirt, dress or trousers etc that are too large can be reshaped to fit a smaller figure. Flaired trouser legs can be narrowed. If you don’t have these skills yourself, you might find someone else who has via a repair cafe or a tailor. 

 Another way of reusing clothes is to buy second hand ones from a vintage of charity shop – and to likewise pass on items you no longer wear. 

Greenpeace reports “Partly because of all this plastic use, and the energy needed to process it, the fashion industry produces 8-10% of global CO2 emissions (4-5 billion tonnes annually).”

Further reading – https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/fast-fashion-climate-change-pollution-violence/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60382624

Counting on … day 15

15th January 2024

Re-use rather that replace

Just because a phone/ TV/ tablet/ computer is not this year’s model, there is no good sense in replacing it every year. It  better to keep it for as long as it is usefully useable. Mobile phone users typically replace their phones every 2 to 3 years which may reflect the length of the initial contract and/ or the life of the battery. Mobile phone batteries can be replaced (and the old one recycled when they are no longer adequately holding charge). Operating systems can also be updated to ensure the continued functionality of the phone – usually you will receive an online prompt to do this.

 A brand-new smartphone generates an average of 85 kilograms in emissions in its first year of us, of which 95% comes from manufacturing and shipping. (1) Spread over 2 years its footprint falls to approximately 45kg a year  and over 3 years approximately 30kg a year. Keeping the same phone for each extra years reduces its in-use carbon footprint.

Equally if you are looking to replace your mobile phone, buying a refurbished second hand one will similarly reduce its in-use carbon footprint. 

When a mobile phone literally has no usable life in it, make sure that it is properly recycled to ensure its component parts are reused and not discarded via landfill or an incinerator, polluting the environment. You can even do this via Oxfam and help reduce poverty at the same time.

(1) https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-and-telecom-predictions/2022/environmental-impact-smartphones.html

Further reading – https://greentau.org/2021/11/29/green-tau-issue-24/

Counting on … day 14

14th January 2024

Turn off lights and appliance when not in use

During the oil crisis of the 1970s there was a widespread encouragement to switch of the lights and save energy.  Nowadays – perhaps because LED light bulbs make the cost of light cheaper – we seem to have forgotten that easy energy saving action. LED bulbs are definitely the most efficient way of lighting our homes, but even so the  Energy  Saving Trust says “Always turn lights off when leaving a room. The quickest way to start saving is just remembering to turn lights off when you don’t need them. The typical household could save almost £25 a year just by switching off the lights as you leave the room.”

For more information on using LEDs visit their website – https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/lighting/

The Energy Savings Trust also estimate that we can save around £55 a year turning appliances off rather than leaving them on standby mode. Ovo Energy refers to this wasted energy as vampire power!  Find out more at – https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/save-on-standby-energy

Prayers for creation

14th January 2024

Trust in the Lord and be doing good; dwell in the land and be nourished with truth.
  Let your delight be in the Lord and he will give you your heart’s desire.
Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him, and he will bring it to pass.  Psalm 37:3-5

You Lord are the bread of life;

feed us with your wisdom.

Our meat is to do the Father’s  will.

guide us in all we do

Whenever we eat or drink

Let it be to the glory of God.

Reading Matthew 25: 34-36 (The Message)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’” 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; •
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

Response
Praise to you O God, for the rich creation of this world 

for which you have created humans to be the gardeners.

From this day all generations will call me blessed; •
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.

You have blessed us with fruit bearing trees and plants, 

ensuring food throughout the seasons.

He has mercy on those who fear him, •
from generation to generation.

Your wisdom guides those who, in each generation, 

are honest and humble enough to seek it

He has shown strength with his arm •
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

Yet each generation sees the damage 

caused when there are those who disdain your will. 

Casting down the mighty from their thrones •
and lifting up the lowly.

Raise the spirits of those who work at the grassroots, 

give them strength to overcome the deceits of big business.

He has filled the hungry with good things •
and sent the rich away empty.

Bless the work of food banks and charities that feed the hunger, 

and teach those with wealth to be sacrificial in their giving.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, •
to remember his promise of mercy,

Help nations and communities to work together

for justice and for peace. 

The promise made to our ancestors, •
to Abraham and his children for ever.

May generations to come reap the harvest,

not of our greed, but of your grace .

Amen.

Counting on … day 13

13th January 2024

Install water butts

Obviously water butts are great for collecting water that can be used to water the garden during spells of drier weather. But they can also help reduce flooding. Flooding can be avoided or reduced if we slow the rate at which rainwater reaches the streams and rivers which are likely to flood. If rainwater has first to fill an -ideally – empty – water butt before it discharges into the drains, that will reduce the rate at which the rain water reaches the steam/ river. 

How we landscape our gardens can also have an effect. Hard surfaces such as concrete driveways or paved patios, will quickly discharge rainwater into the drains and hence the river system. Soft surfaces such as grass, flower beds and, best of all, trees will slow the rate at which rain enters the drainage system. The plants leaves will slow and collect the water, whilst the soil and plant roots will absorb rainwater.

For more information see – https://theconversation.com/if-more-houses-had-water-butts-it-could-help-with-drought-flooding-and-water-pollution-191469

https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/articles/reduce-flood-risk

Counting on … day 12

12th January 2024

Wash less

The 20th century was a time of great change in many ways including how we wash ourselves and our clothes. From a weekly bath to a daily shower, from a laundry day once a week to a daily wash  and tumble dry. Have we ever been cleaner? But do we need to be that clean? Were we that dirty in past eras? 

Over the last year, we have swopped from a daily shower to a weekly one. In between a wash in a basin suffices.  At the same time we have taken to washing our clothes less frequently, washing them only when they smell unclean as opposed to when the fragrance of the detergent has faded. We have swopped from washing the duvet cover every week, to flipping it over for a second week’s use.

These changes save both water and energy and we feel no less clean! It probably extends the life of some of our clothes too. 

For further thoughts see – https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jun/14/why-we-should-shower-less-hygiene-water-preservation?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/showering-daily-is-it-necessary-2019062617193

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/may/09/how-to-save-money-on-laundry-washing-dont-tumble-dont-soften-and-wash-less-often?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230529-the-people-who-dont-wash-their-clothes

Counting on …day 10

10th January 2024

Installing a heat pump may not be possible for everyone (or at least not at the moment but maybe in the future there will be a more concerted effort by the Government to make this possible) but it is a good way of reducing carbon emissions. Heat pumps are powered by electricity which increasingly comes from renewable sources and thus with minimal carbon emissions. 

All forms of heating – whether boiler or heat pump – will be use less energy if the space they are heating is well insulated. That includes things such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, double glazing etc.

It can also include measures such as thermally lined curtains which ideally are drawn at dusk to keep the warmth in, porches so that there is an ‘air lock’ between the inside and outside of the building, or draught proofing tape to ensure doors and windows fit securely.

Useful web sites –

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/energy/shopping-guide/eco-heat-pumps

Heat pumps

And a recent review of people’s experiences – https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jan/08/greener-cheaper-much-warmer-heat-pump-owners-laud-their-new-system?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Counting on … day 9

9th January 2024

Switching to a green energy supplier will mean that the electricity you use (or an equivalent amount as  all our electricity comes through a central grid) will be from a renewable source that produces minimal carbon emissions. Eg from wind turbines, solar panels, or hydro electric plants. It is easy to switch. 

For more information you might look at this web site – https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/energy-switching/why-you-should-switch

Or if you wish to find out which is the best green energy supplier visit Ethical Consumer’s web page – https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/energy/shopping-guide/energy-suppliers?check_logged_in=1- 

You will need to subscribe to get the full report but you will them benefit from wealth of  information on the most ethical options for numerous products from cat food to beauty products, shoes to supermarkets.  

We buy our electricity from Ecotricity and have found them to provide a good service.

Counting on … day 8

8th January 2024

Adjusting the heating levels in our homes

For many years the recommendation has been to heat living rooms to between 18 and 21°C. At the same time we have also been told that turning down the thermostat by 1°C- and putting on a extra layer – can save 10% of our heating costs. How far could or should we go in turning down the heating?

The WHO recommends 18 as a ‘safe and well balanced indoor temperature’ for people living in a temperate – or colder – climate.  (https://iris.who.int/rest/bitstreams/1161792/retrieve#page=54)

This sounds like good advice and I imagine assumes that we are wearing appropriate cold weather clothing such as vest and jumpers! Equally if we are active – doing the housework, walking backwards and forwards we will probably be quite comfortable at a lower temperature. The Health and Safety Executive Approved Code of Practice on the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations suggests the minimum temperature for working indoors should normally be at least 16°C or 13°C if much of the work involves rigorous physical effort.

Counting on … day 7

7th January 2024

Fly less/ don’t fly

Fly less or even quit flying although their. For longer journeys and holidays, let the train take the strain! It is amazing how far you can travel both in the UK and across Europe by train (and ferry) and there are an increasing number of sleeper trains allowing you to arrive at your destination in time for breakfast with a whole day ahead of you! 

If you plan to ski this winter in Europe, plan ahead and take the train.

Why not make a flight free pledge? https://flightfree.co.uk/

For more info – https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint

Personal experiences – https://greentau.org/2022/07/04/eco-tips-living-sustainably-and-travel/