How to live more sustainably: A comprehensive guide
Introduction by 9Trees’ Director Michael Cunningham
Here at 9Trees, we are often asked open questions such as ‘What can I do about the climate crisis? Should I change my diet? Why is diet or consumption important? Do individual changes really make much of a difference?
We really enjoy receiving these questions. We know that the first step of any journey is the hardest and simply asking these questions puts you on the road to making powerful changes.
To say thank you for asking us these questions and to do justice to these questions, we want to provide a fuller answer. We know that, despite our best efforts to make this blog totally comprehensive, there will be more tips and resources out there. But we hope that it can spark discussions and help you start thinking about some of the issues.
If you have additions you want to add, perhaps resources to omitted useful information, or even tips or criticism, please get in touch. We can only learn through conversation and research. This will lead to the growth of our ideas.
We know that tree planting is not the only answer, but part of a bigger change, societal and individual. And we also know that, together, we have the power to change and the future is in our hands, and we can create the future we desire. The important thing to do is to just start with one thing, it does not matter if it’s small or imperfect. Just start! And share what you are doing with those around you, your friends and your family; encourage them to do just one thing too. Then, after a week or so, maybe swap what you’re doing and add one of your friend’s changes to yours. This way, we can learn from those around us to build up what we can do.
Have fun with it!
Michael Cunningham, August 2022
Navigating all of the possible things we can do to help people and planet can sometimes feel like navigating through a maze with no clear way out. We hope that this blog helps you!
How to live more sustainably: A comprehensive guide
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by climate change to the point of burying your head in the sand and praying the powers that be come together. This feeling of disempowerment falls into the category of ‘crisis fatigue’; where the continual sounding of an alarm about an intangible and massive threat paralyses behaviour change. Especially in today’s digitally connected age, constant streams of mass information and negative news desensitise us to environmental problems. With abstract figures remote to our everyday lives, it’s tempting to off-shoot environmental responsibility and dissolve ourselves of individual behaviour change.
However, there are two strong reasons to overcome this temptation. Firstly, while governments evolve into a greener future at a rate seemingly slower than the melting glaciers, we can catalyse more immediate change through daily actions as both consumers and citizens. Secondly, although we make these changes as individuals, we can be individuals together. We have the power to change and create the future we desire.
In Western society, we often put so much emphasise on our individuality but what about our power as a collective?
The power of collective action
We grossly underestimate the cumulative impact of collective action. The Covid-19 pandemic provides proof of how individual behaviours can have extraordinary effects en masse. During the first covid wave, countries across the world adapted to wearing face masks, quarantining and working from home. This rapid response to the pandemic created some eco silver linings: animals returned to public spaces, China’s emissions were reduced by a quarter and New York’s carbon monoxide emissions nearly halved. Although these were temporary side effects, they remain indicative of collective action’s power.
Together, our individual actions count. Just eating vegetarian meals every day reduces your carbon footprint by 8 pounds whilst car-sharing saves 20 pounds of carbon dioxide per gallon. (If you are a super saver let us know! #9treesUK #MinimisingMyFootprint)
This does not mean that we must shoulder all of the responsibility to the point of feeling disempowering guilt. Indeed, the 100 companies responsible for over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions are majorly culpable, and no one should feel guilty for making choices that were engineered to be chosen. Fortunately, consumers are demanding more ethical and sustainable products to lead more environmentally friendly lives. Social networks have empowered consumers to become both critics and creators.
There are so many actions we can take, both as consumers but also as citizens of democracy. But most crucially, just pick one thing! By committing to one small change, you’re more likely to succeed and feel spurred on to share that change with others. Approach one small change after the next with family and friends to steadily build a support network. Read on to find out what that one change could be…
Key changes you can make as a consumer
Although research shows the ‘Big 3’ lifestyle changes to reduce one’s carbon footprint are adopting a plant-based diet, less flying and less driving; there are many other ways to help the environment and, in tandem, improve your quality of life. From embracing minimalism to rethinking your commute to work, read on for a list of carbon curbing actions to embed into your everyday life.
Start Small with the ‘Stuff’
When it comes to stuff, less is definitely more. A recent study found that the more ‘things’ in someone’s life, the more stressed and anxious they became. Incorporating a minimalist approach results in buying fewer products and producing less waste. The less entries into the cycle of consumerism and the more into the circular economy, the better. With this recycle, repair and reuse ethos in mind, here are some tips for tackling the carbon footprint of stuff:
The environmental and social cost of what we buy is often hidden from us and not reflected in its price tag. Because of this, we should try to ensure that we are consuming responsibly.
Invest in good-quality, lifelong products
Repurpose items, this ingenious list provides 100 DIY hacks for otherwise wasted household items.
Borrow, rather than buy, useful home appliances through initiatives like the ‘Library of Things’.
Choose brands with real environmental consciousness, using apps such as ‘Good on You’ and ‘Giki’ which rate and evaluate a brand’s sustainability.
Reduce your plastic usage around the kitchen and bathroom with refillable Ecover cleaning products or consider creating your own homemade products to support sustainable cleaning.
Contact companies and give feedback on whether they’re over-packaging products. Encourage them to take climate action.
Buy or sell second-hand clothes and items through charity shops and online platforms including: Vinted, Depop, and many more.
For a wedding or event, rent rather than buy with top event attire rental sites such as By Rotation, Onloan and Rotaro.
To repair and refurbish faulty electronics, check out the ‘Restart Project’
Mend and alter clothes with the user-friendly app ‘Sojo’
Purchase refurbished phones for up to 70% off with Backmarket. Use the referral code: d14bd1bff86b7d23
2. Food, Glorious Food
Global food production accounts for over a quarter (26%) of global greenhouse gas emissions. Food, and the power of our wallets, plays an integral role in curbing the climate crisis. Reducing the intake of meat and dairy products is one of the most impactful ways to reduce your environmental impact. The most impactful food to avoid is industrial meat, which tops the charts in terms of environmental damage and emissions. The carbon footprint of one cheeseburger is equivalent to 9 pitta falafels!
Health-wise, studies suggest a plant-based diet is amongst the best; yet moving to a more sustainably sourced and unprocessed mixed diet is also healthy. Whether you’re a meat lover or vegan, there’s plenty of ways we can all achieve synergy with the planet’s food systems.
Industrial meat and dairy has by far the bigger environmental impact of all food we eat. Moving towards organic plant-based diets is a way out of this. Organic, locally-reared meat adds nuance to this and can be sustainable when on a small scale.
The 9Trees team embraces people from all over the environmental spectrum. As we continue with this conversation, here are some thoughts which will help us reduce our carbon footprint. It’s worth considering where your food comes from – as water intensive crops from abroad could be replaced by food produced on our doorsteps.
Buy local, seasonal produce from the weekend market to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, preservation and prolonged refrigeration.
Check out Groundswell - Regenerative Agriculture Show and their ‘Feeding Britain from the ground up’ to see how there’s enough land for sustainable agriculture in the UK.
It’s not all or nothing, start by reducing meat portions, opting for a ‘Meatless Monday’ or explore delicious plant-based recipes and meat alternatives.
Try the Climatarian diet and simply swap beef and lamb to well treated pork and poultry in everyday meals to save a tonne of CO2 emissions a year.
Find your inner Freegan and seek out food that would otherwise go to waste, from the reduced section of the supermarket to catching bakeries for the daily giveaways, just before they close.
Grow your own herbs and veggies whilst discovering a horticulturist hobby, carrots and basil are some beginner-friendly options.
Feeling adventurous? Snack on insects as a viable protein source from ‘Eat Grub’; eating insects is a promising approach to dietary carbon reduction as insects are a nutrient dense superfood and low carbon food source.
Read about Solar Foods, where food will soon grow out of thin thanks to cellular agriculture.
Opt for UK, free range and organic chicken and eggs.
3. Move lighter
Transport remains the largest emitting sector of the UK economy, accounting for 27% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. The poor air quality from exhaust fumes also poses serious public health dangers, contributing to an increased risk of respiratory diseases and dementia.
The alternatives below combat such risks by providing a wealth of physical and mental health benefits:
Improve fitness by walking and catching more public transport where possible
Cycle around with city rental bikes, ride-to-work schemes or purchase a second-hand bike
Car share through community lift-sharing groups and meet new people
Video conference instead of flying for meetings, interviews and conventions
Travel across Europe via sleeper train, or check out the No-Fly Travel Club for city breaks
If you do need to fly, book economy rather than business class and save a third of the CO2 emissions
Pay a little extra for reputable carbon-offsetting schemes that fund sustainable development, such as Sustainable Travel International.
For a longer voyage, cross the sea on cargo ships or discover more adventurous alternatives through Flight Free UK.
Curious about curbing the carbon emissions of your flying habits? Buy 1 tree with us for an EU flight, or 2 for international flights! Plus, as 30% of people in the UK own a dog, we can also offer to balance a small dog for 1 tree per year and large dogs at 2 trees per year. Read about our Subscriptions Special Planting for more information.
The transport sector moves us about but with a big cost to the environment and society, for now and into the future. Where possible, public transport, car sharing, and e-bikes are preferable.
4. Digital Change, Divest Away
The carbon footprint from our digital gadgets often seem the most invisible of all, with the allusive ‘cloud’ and server farms located out in the plains of Texas. However, studies estimate emissions from digital technologies to be between 2.3 – 3.7 percent of global CO₂ emissions, which is equivalent to the emissions of the entire aviation industry.
Reduce streaming, the source of 75% of global data traffic, and opt for downloading instead.
Empty your email inbox regularly to reduce data storage and avoid unnecessary courtesy emails.
Why not change your Signature to ‘In the name of saving the climate I may not reply, please assume I have received and agree to your following email.’ Or add, ‘I have joined the climate fightback by supporting Non-Profit ‘9Trees CIC’ planting biodiverse woodlands throughout the UK and nurturing them for 50 years!’
Consider switching phone providers to Ecotalk, which utilises bill money to rewild land in the UK.
Switch financial loyalty to upstart financial firms like Triodos, Monzo and the Ecology Building Society. These firms put the banking sector on a more sustainable footing by bankrolling green initiatives rather than using depositors’ money to fund fossil fuel projects.
You can invest directly in a more positive future yourself through the numerous ethical investment opportunities found in Seedrs, Energise Africa and Ethex.
Divest from banks, insurers or pension schemes that are heavily invested in the fossil fuel industry (HSBC, Barclays etc). See who the worst offenders are.
If you do switch banks, write to the bank and tell them you’re moving money elsewhere because of their ecological impact.
Support local shops and second-hand sites over corporate giants such as Amazon
Supporting local and second-hand shops in favour of corporate giants like Amazon is a great way to save both pocket and planet.
5. Build a Climate Friendly Nest
With energy prices soaring, creating a more energy efficient home is more important than ever. These small behaviour changes at home can help you cut your energy bills and carbon footprint.
Layer up on the thermals and turn down the thermostat a couple of degrees
Eliminate Plastic from your home cleaning, check our ekologik, the plastic free cleaning products.
Replace light bulbs with LEDs
Switch off lights whenever not in use
Buy a water-efficient shower head.
Set timers for appliances to run through the night when demand is low, or during the brightest part of the day to utilise solar.
Turn televisions off overnight
Install a smart meter to keep tabs on energy consumption.
Draught proof windows and doors to make your home more energy efficient
Switch energy supplies to a green tariff to invest in renewable energy sources i.e. Good Energy buys 100% renewable electricity from independent generators and sells it on to customers. Ecotricity also invests profits in building new sources of clean energy.
Citizen Behaviour Change
We are more than consumers, we can act as citizens to ensure our voices are heard when shaping policies and driving change. Here are six ways to make a difference in your local area or digital sphere:
Our power is way beyond just being mere consumers. We are citizens too and using our power as citizens is a critical part of this process.
Education
Education is a powerful tool in encouraging people to change their attitudes and behaviour. Most important of all is the education and empowerment of young people, in order to create a culture of climate care. Right now, we can utilise technology, school curriculums, documentaries and so much more to share pro-environmental behaviours with children, peers and older populations.
As a citizen, the greatest impact one can have in fighting the climate crisis is to have less children, according to a study published in Environmental Research Letters. The study identified the most effective means by which people can cut their carbon emissions. Overpopulation and the deeply personal choice of reproduction has formed a controversial facet in climate change educational campaigns. It’s crucial to recognise that the argument applies to high resource consumption countries, such as America and the UK, where emissions per person are far greater than countries in the Global South. For more information on climate change and reproduction, check out the American organisation, Conceivable Future, which delves into the importance and nuances of such choices in an age of climate breakdown.
2. Vote for Climate Action
Vote for parties with strong environmental politics by reading about their environmental policies and record. As a starting point, this article by Carbon Brief lists the politicians who talk the most about climate change.
3. Write to your local MP
Contact your MPs, councillors and city mayors to stress the local demand to enact carbon neutral plans and show action.
4. Join a Climate Action and Environmental Group
Get involved in local climate activism to raise awareness and put pressure on politicians. Climate Action UK, Home - 38 Degrees, Extinction Rebellion, Share Action and Power for People are all impactful campaign groups offering involvement from signing petitions to peaceful protests and civil resistance.
Don’t be off-put by visions of hand cuffs at an Extinction Rebellion event, there are many impactful groups for the more risk-averse environmentalists among us! For example, Power for People lobbies politicians to accelerate the switch to renewable energy and provides sound advice on encouraging your MP to take climate action more seriously. If you are considering civil disobedience or civil resistance, there is extensive legal advice available to help ensure that, whatever you choose to do, your decision is an informed one.
5. Social Media Action
Sharing, liking and posting about positive environmental behaviours sparks conversation and climate action. In fact, a study by Keio University found visible links between social media and changing public perceptions, with the possibility of public opinion influencing political decision-making when addressing climate change. When sharing content, communication researchers suggest the most impactful posts focus on positive and realistic behaviour changes, such as easy zero food waste recipes. For more motivating ways to wield social media as a vehicle for climate action, read here.
6. Workplace Environment
Did you know that equality in the workplace promotes better sustainability goals? You can find out more about your workplace policy by checking the equality, diversity and inclusion with Acas.
The Power of Trees
Last but not least, plant trees. A study published in ‘Science’, estimated that a worldwide planting programme could remove nearly one-third of all emissions from human activities.
Whether you want to plant a single tree in your garden or a whole wood, there are an abundance of resources out there to do so. 9Trees brings together businesses, the general public and landowners on their mission to plant trees. You can spread the love for a friend or loved one with us through our Special Planting opportunity.
There are also community groups such as the Future Forests Network who provide great insight into tree planting schemes. To ensure you are planting the right trees in the right places, please read this.
More Resources
For more tips on minimising your environmental impact and calculating your carbon footprint, check out the WWF’s Footprint Calculator and The Climate App. If you are a business, then the Practical Guidance to Net Zero by Small99 is a great resource. For detailed information specific to where you live, look for local hubs through the Transition Network. If you live in Dorset,
Sustainable Dorset is a great resource. Many places have regional equivalents of such pages which cover all aspects of your life from finances to water usage.
Every Action Counts
Next time a cloud of disenfranchisement and climate fatigue hovers over your actions, remember that every act works in tandem with countless others to create meaningful change. This butterfly effect can ricochet through society and mitigate us from the worst impacts of climate breakdown.
Use your power as a consumer and citizen to turn small habits into big changes!
By Emma Tegg - Blog writer and Conservation Communicator