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When you are relaxing at the weekend, out shopping, or on holiday – cutting your carbon footprint is probably the last thing on your mind.
Yet you can easily cut tonnes off your total by making a few simple choices. |
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Holidays
Possibly the single best thing you can do to cut your carbon footprint is to avoid flying and find an alternative, perhaps more interesting way, of getting to your destination. Air travel creates more carbon dioxide than any other form of transport, particularly short haul flights - because most fuel is used on take off and landing.
So by choosing to travel by car, or even better public transport, you can make a massive difference. |
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The Man in Seat 61 has some great tips about traveling in Britain, Europe and further afield without flying.
Check out Ed Gillespie's Slow Travel blog, as he travels round the world in every conceivable means of transport (other than by aeroplane)
How about an Unusual Holiday in Wales - you could stay in a canal boat in the Brecons, a tipi in Pembrokeshire or a lighthouse in Haverfordwest!
The Green Tourism Business Scheme has details of some gorgeous holiday destinations in the UK
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Everything we buy creates carbon dioxide in its manufacture, transport, and disposal. Manufacturers do need to reduce packaging and make products longer lasting - yet we can also contribute to cutting carbon by buying local, recycled and re-usable products.
Vast amounts of the fruit and veg (and other products we consume) are flown or shipped in from abroad, clocking up thousands of "food miles". One study showed that the ingredients from a typical Sunday lunch could travel as much as 24,000 miles - when the same ingredients could be bought locally. |
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Buying local produce also helps local producers and the local economy. Check out Somerset Farmers Market for local markets and delivery schemes, or Big Barn for a map of producers in your area. For tips on growing your own visit Garden Organic.
Reduce, re-use, recycle - Invest in a canvas shopping bag, and avoid plastic bags.
You can buy a vast range of recycled products from wine glasses and stationary to shoes and toilet roll. Check out Ecocentric or Recycle Now for some funky, stylish, household products and gifts. |
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