What you can do

Climate change is a big issue. Start by picking one thing. Start small, and start now.

If you’re unsure about where to start, feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the problem, or are worried that choosing greener options may be more expensive. It’s normal to feel like this.

 

Here are some ideas to get you thinking differently about what you could do including daily decisions, within your reach, that would save you money and reduce your carbon emissions. Things like driving less, asking, “could I buy second hand instead of new?” or opting for more plant based foods which are often cheaper than meat products.

Why not try a vegetarian option?

The current food production process of farm-to-plate contributes 26% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. That’s huge! Eating less meat, especially red meat is one of the simplest and cheapest things we can do to reduce our impact on the environment.

Want to start small? Why not pledge to have meat free Mondays? Or step it up by pledging to only eat meat on weekends. Eating more veggies and a diet richer in plant-based foods will not only help the environment, it’s also better for your health. Win, win.

Make your pledge

Helping to tackle climate change is important to me because without a healthy functioning natural world, we will not have the clean air and water we need as humans to survive. My pledge is to eat as little meat as possible. I aim to have at least 6 days meat free each and every week.

Dr Matthew Sawyer

Director – SEE Sustainability

Before you leave work, what can you turn off?

Unplugging unused electronics, or turning them off at the wall, reduces our carbon emissions because much of our electricity comes from fossil fuels.

Did you know that keeping an electrical product like your computer monitor on standby can still use up to 90% of its normal power?

Turning off lights and electrical appliances when they are not in use is an easy way to cut your carbon emissions and keep energy bills lower which we need now more than ever.

Make your pledge

The small things I do on a daily basis to reduce my carbon footprint are: I have introduced more plant based meals: I plan meals to ensure no food waste: I use recyclable bags: I have car free days: I avoid buying items with excess packaging: and I turn my WIFI and TV off at the wall when I go to bed.

Anna Barrett

Sustainable Procurement Manager AGH Solutions Ltd.

Is there an option with less packaging?

Plastic packing has many benefits to the way we live today. The problem with plastic packaging is that there’s so much of it, and while some is recycled, most ends up in landfill. Plastic ends up in the oceans, in rivers and lakes causing pollution, and killing wildlife.

Picking products with less plastic packaging, like loose fruits and vegetables is a great way to help tackle climate change by reducing plastic waste.

Make your pledge

My pledge is to consciously reduce the amount of stuff I buy that’s wrapped in plastic or comes in plastic containers – like fruit, veg, meat and juice. I’m trying to think about the carbon footprint of what I’m buying, asking has it flown 1000s of miles to arrive here?

Kathy Scott
Deputy Chief Executive at the Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network

How do you travel to work?

Traveling to and from work is an essential daily routine for most of us. But how we choose to travel to work, or even to the shops, is also one of the biggest day-to-day climate decisions we make. Using public transport or car sharing will reduce emissions and can also save money. Choosing active travel, such as walking or riding a bike for shorter journeys, is a brilliant way to reduce your carbon footprint, get to know your local area better, connect with nature, and get more exercise.

Make your pledge

Helping to tackle climate change is important to me because I want future generations to be able to enjoy all the things I enjoy. The small thing I do daily to reduce my carbon footprint is eating a vegetarian diet. My new pledge is to walk more to meetings instead of driving.

Richard James
Public Health Specialty Registrar Improving Population Health Programme West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership

Download the toolkit

All great journeys start with an idea, a question, someone willing to act first. If you’re passionate about tackling climate change, you’ll find useful resources to help create a movement in your team, workplace or organisation here. Download your toolkit and begin the movement of change!