CLIMATE aCTION PROJECT
Promoting action for climate change
There are many actions we can individually take to combat climate change. Here are some ways you can value and protect our nature resources and continue to benefit from nature in our health and economy.
Reduce your transport miles
Take a ‘staycation’, avoid unnecessary daily journeys, travel using green energy, check the mileage on things you buy.
Reduce, reuse & then recycle
Let's get rid our oceans of plastic! 42% of plastic packaging was recycled in 2017 in the EU, compared to 24% in 2005. 👍
The highest recycling rates of plastic packaging waste was recorded in: 🇱🇹 Lithuania (74%) 🇧🇬 Bulgaria (65%) 🇨🇾 Cyprus (62%, 2016 data) 🇸🇮 Slovenia (60%) 🇨🇿 Czechia (59%) 🇸🇰 Slovakia (52%) 🇳🇱 The Netherlands (50%)
How much plastic packaging waste do you recycle? 🔎
Data: Eurostat © Cartoon by artist Gatis Šļūka
Reduce paper receipts
Did you know that many receipts are NOT recyclable? You can help by refusing receipts, requesting digital or leaving unrequested receipts with the issuer. Other myths of UK recycling are explained online here.
#sustainabilitymatters #carbonfootprint #climatechange #zerowaste #circulareconomy #takeaction
Re-use water bottles
Find out where you can refill your water bottle using this free app from City to Sea.
Check the type of plastic
How recyclable is your packaging?
Check what your area recycles
Confused if your item can be recycled or if item can be recycled in your local area? Try the recyclenow tool.
Participate in food waste trials
Householder action nearly 3X more important than businesses
Graphic from the Government Food Waste in England Report
#sustainabilitymatters #carbonfootprint #climateaction #takeaction
Maximise your impact
See what improvements are needed most where you live, try this postcode checker from Friends of the Earth.
See also this quiz from CNN on the most effective ways to curb climate change.
Reduce your junk mail
Here’s how to reduce unwanted Junk Mail: www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
#sustainabilitymatters #carbonfootprint #takeaction #zerowaste
Volunteer
Every November is the 4 Weeks of Action campaign to support local Wellbeing & Mental Health, Zero Waste, Community and Homelessness, through one-off volunteering.
Students in Sheffield can sign up at: Sheffieldvolunteering.com
Not a student/Not in Sheffield? Check out other opportunities to take action at: Doit.org
#wellbeing #mentalhealth #zerowaste #community #homelessness #takeaction #volunteer
Demand real green energy
Check if you really have 100% green energy. Suppliers that sell 100% renewable electricity are not required to generate this themselves, nor have contracts in place to buy it directly from generators. Many only match fossil fuel energy use with green energy and say they are 100%.
Ask your company where your green electricity is generated from and if it is supplying 100% renewable energy to all its customers. Don't forget your right to complain if you are misled.
Reduce home energy use
Check out this Government website to find local energy grants and ways to save energy in your home: www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk
See this video on how #smartenergy choices makes an 11% difference.
Read the Government myth-buster on smart meters.
#missingpiece #climatechange #takeaction #gozero #sustainabilitymatters
Save on heating costs
Find out the best type of renewable energy to install in your home using this calculator.
Increase your nature access
Image from Groundwork Manchester
Reasons why you should pledge to plant a tree for our #BigClimateFightback on 30 November 👇
Source local cooking oil
Don't forget to buy locally produced cooking oil if you use it. Where cooking oil is produced impacts the environmental value of renewable energy: 80% of biodiesel is from used cooking oil and biodiesel makes up 56% of verified renewable fuel.
Check product credentials
Always buy Palm Oil Free if you can. Read the above article.
#sustainabilitymatters #carbonfootprint #climatechange #gozero #takeaction
Gift & celebrate sustainably
In the run up to #BlackFriday, don’t forget these tips for a more environmentally friendly Christmas.
Find out how to wrap gifts without sticky tape here.
Manage mental health risks
Look after your health and the environment: try the MIND menu to reduce your intake of dairy and red meat.
Support change at work
See what is technically feasible for every industry with this 2050 calculator. What will you contribute?
Swap & buy local or vintage
A clothes swap drive piloted at Sheffield SU. The results? Higher quality clothes than straightforward donations. What a great way to refresh your wardrobe and recycle your clothes. Saving the planet, supporting charities and saving money.
How much plastic is in your clothing, how long will it last and how far has it travelled? Good reasons to buy local or second hand and avoid fast fashion.
Carshare and save
Check out this useful Carshare App from Liftshare.com.
Celebrate eco driving
Looking good: my University going ‘whole hog’ in promoting its electric vehicle fleet.
Read this handy guide to the different ways to make your car choices more environmentally friendly:
Save up to 25% and reduce your carbon emissions through fuel efficient driving: www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk
#carbonfootprint #climatechange #sustainabilitymatters #gozero #takeaction.
Understand: risks & science
MetOffice explains why we have exponential rising temperatures and the need to act now.
Find out how carbon emissions will impact future health.
#gozero #climatechange #wellbeing #science #takeaction #carbonfootprint
Educate: problems & solutions
Read this article on why we need to both minimise carbon dioxide release now and plant trees to reduce existing levels.
Understand the outlook for transition to a sustainable Europe from European Environment Agency report here.
Share your opinion
Reshare these useful videos or make your own:
You also have the power to help us all
Promote local trade
#WhereYouShopMatters - support your local high street, local traders, retailers and manufacturers and think about spending with some of our fantastic independent businesses.
Get your local kit from: www.totallylocally.org/stuff/
