Sustainable(ish)

In this episode I’m chatting to Ben and Petra who are both trustees of Zero Carbon Guildford which is one of a growing number of Climate Emergency Centres that are starting up all over the UK. Zero has an amazing community space in the centre of Guildford where they have a zero waste shop and a vegan café , and  and also host a brilliant array of projects from a baby clothes library through to climate cinema and a community fridge. And super importantly they are working to bring local community groups together around a shared goal of by 2030 by developing a community-led climate action plan.This is yet another super inspiring episode, and I have my sneaking suspicions that many of you will listen to this and think “Yes! I want one of those where I live” so I tried to ask as many questions as possible about the logistics of getting something like off the ground. For any of you who are interested in finding out more, Zero Carbon Guildford are running an event on the 10th Feb both in person and live streamed, in conjunction with the Surrey Climate Commission sharing how they have created climate hubs in Surrey, with tips for how you can do the same where you live. It goes without saying that I love, love, love what these guys are doing – I hope you’re as inspired as I am, and it would be amazing to think that maybe someone listening to this podcast now has the spark of an idea for creating something similar where they live – do get in touch and let me know if that’s you!Enjoy this episode, and as ever, please do leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts – this is how we get more ears on the podcast and more people hearing about brilliant projects like Zero Carbon Guildford.Enjoy! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Zero Carbon Guildford- Website- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter- Events10th Feb - Creating a Community-Led Climate Hub - in-person and livestreamedClimate Emergency Centres websiteThe Knackered Mums Eco ClubThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Listen and get inspired!Look and see what local climate-y community groups there are near you Pick a project to trial that you think would bring people together (Repair Cafes and swishes tend to go down well!) Would you love a Climate Hub in your town?Let me know in the comments KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

Today is another cracker of an episode and is about something that we haven’t really dived into before on the podcast – eco anxiety.I’m chatting to Megan Kennedy Woodard, a coaching psychologist, and one half of Climate Psychologists, alongside her husband Patrick. Together they have co-authored Turn the Tide on Climate Anxiety, a brilliant book wth the tagline “Sustainable action for your mental health and the planet”It’s a pretty safe bet that if you’re listening to this podcast then you will probably have run the full gamut of all the climate feels – from anxiety, to rage, to despair, and everything in between. In this book Megan and Patrick explore the science behind climate anxiety, the whole range of emotions we might be feeling, and crucially, what we can do about it. It’s more than simply a book about climate anxiety, it’s kind of a workbook to help you to explore, and identify your emotions related to climate stuff, and then it’s packed with tools, tips and ideas to help move you from climate anxiety to climate action.I think this is a super important episode – we see more and more studies saying that more and more of us are feeling anxious about the state of the planet, and that can leave us in a state of overwhelm and despair – and it’s very hard to take action from that place. Please do share with family and friends – this, as with all climate stuff, is something we need to talk about more. And As ever, if you enjoy this episode, and the podcast in general, please do leave and rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts.Enjoy! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Climate Psychologists- Website- Facebook- Instagram- TwitterTurn the Tide on Climate Anxiety- Please do support your local independent bookshop! Or see if you can get a copy from your local library- Or you can buy it direct from the publishers here- Find it here on World of Books- Or here on HiveThe Knackered Mums Eco ClubThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...See if you can get hold of a copy of the book! Ask your local library if they have a copy - if they don't, they will often order new books inSee if you can start a conversation about your climate feelings with a friend or family memberRemember this phrase from the book: "Perfect gets nothing done" How are your levels of climate anxiety?Do you have any coping strategies?Let me know in the comments KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

Today we're talking all things reuse and renew with Daniel Carolan and Samantha Carty from SUEZ. SUEZ are a waste management company here in the UK, and are responsible for the collection and sorting of household waste in many areas around the country, including Greater Manchester Combined Authority, where they're spearheading a super exciting project - a Renew Hub!The Hub and the donation containers at recycling centres across Greater Manchester divert people's unwanted but still usable or fixable items from landfill. They're collected, cleaned and repaired if needed and then sold on at an affordable price in three Renew shops. All of the money raised goes to good causes, including the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity tackling homelessness and Recycle for Greater Manchester community fund, helping community groups in their local area that are focussed on reducing waste. The Hub also provides employment and training opportunities for people who for a variety of different reasons might be struggling to find work.It really feels like a win-win-win scenario, and I couldn't help thinking that every region in the UK needs one of these schemes!Have a listen, and do let me know your thoughts in the comments! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...The Recycle for Greater Manchester websiteThe 'Renew' section on the website- Facebook page- Instagram pageIf you're local to Manchester, you can find the three Renew shops here:- Woodhouse Lane, Recycling Centre, Altrincham, WA14 5TB- Arkwright Street, Oldham, OL9 9LZ (entrance next to the recycling centre)- Boysnope Wharf, Recycling Centre Liverpool Road, Eccles, M30 7RHNothing New in '22 - blog postNothing New in '22 Facebook groupThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Have a look and see what 'renew' resources you might have locallyHave a go at mending or repairing one thing this week - You Tube is your friend if you're not sure where to start!Look for the next thing you need to buy secondhand Are you as over-excited by the project as me..?!Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

Those of you who have been following for a loooooong time might remember that my 'journey' into all things Sustainable(ish) started with My Make Do and Mend Year - a year of buying nothing new with my family.2022 marks the TEN YEAR anniversary of that life changing (I know it's a cliche, but it genuinely has changed my life!) year, which feels absolutely bonkers.10 years ago our kids were 4 and 1, and I remember saying at the time that it would undoubtedly be a whole different experience with older kids/teenagers. So now I'm going to give it a go...!And I'd love you to join me - are you up for #NothingNewIn22?Listen in to hear more about our experience first time around, why you might want to join in, and how it all works. LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Nothing New in '22 Intro VideoNothing New in '22 - blog postNothing New in '22 Facebook groupThe Day the World Stops Shopping - podcast episodeMy Make Do and Mend Year - all the blog posts from the original year!The Knackered Mums Eco ClubThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Come and join us! What do you reckon - are you in?Let me know in the comments! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

In today’s episode we’re discussing 'IRL' (in real life!) Sustainable(ish) Christmas’s in all their glorious imperfections and with all the compromises that come with trying to keep everyone happy whilst trying to simultaneously save the planet.With this episode I wanted to hear from real people, people like you and me, who are trying really hard to do the right thing, but at the same time feel that push pull of consumerism and family and societal demands at this time of the year. To hopefully alleviate any guilt you might be feeling and to share the idea that this is a tricky time of year for lots of us. I  recognise at the same time how privileged we are to be able to have these conversations about being overwhelmed by too much stuff, and too much food, when there are so many struggling with the exact opposite.I hope it’s helpful to hear a few other experiences of attempting sustainable(ish) Christmas’s – have a good one, stay safe, and I will catch you in the New Year! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Christmas-sy podcast episodes- 12 not so fun festive facts - Make a start on a sustainable(ish) Christmas- The carbon footprint of Christmas (and what we can do about it) - Conscious giftingChristmas-sy blog posts- 12 not so fun festive facts- Beginner's guide to a crap-free Christmas- 12 easy ideas for a Sustainable(ish) Christmas- How we just about survived Christmas buying nothing new, and how you can too- Sustainable(ish) options for nativity costumes - The (festive) waste hierarchy- Gifts for children that aren't stuff- Plastic-free(ish) stocking fillersThe Full FreezerPlay 'n' ChocRecycled sari gift wrapThe Knackered Mums Eco ClubThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Enjoy your Christmas!Meet me back here in the New Year for a sparkly new series of episodes - I've got some great guests lined up What's your easiest switch been for a more Sustainable(ish) Christmas?And what's your Christmas confession..?!Let me know in the comments!! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

Now this is a cracker of an episode...I ummed and ahhed about whether to publish  this one now (in the run up to Christmas), or to wait until the New Year, but decided to go with now. Because this episode is all about shopping, or rather stopping shopping, and it feels like now might be a time when we’re all perhaps uber aware of just how much extra we’re buying at the moment. The intention is not to make you feel guilty in the run up to Christmas, but just to start the conversation and the thought processes – please don’t hate me!Consumption has overtaken population as the number one driver of the climate and ecological crisis, and has actually sky rocketed in just the last 20 years. We’re consuming more than we ever have before, quicker than ever before. And it’s having a profound impact on the planet’s health and our own health, both physical and mental.So what would happen if we just stopped shopping?This is the question posed by environmental  journalist and author J.B. Mackinnon his new book The Day the World Stops Shopping . And this is what JB and I dive into in this episode.Enjoy! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...J.B. Mackinnon- Website- TwitterThe Day the World Stops Shopping - Bookshop- Hive- World of BooksRight to Repair websiteBuy Me Once - website of goods curated for longevity and repairabilityWhy buy nothing new? (blog post)10 top tips for buying nothing new (blog post)The Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...It feels really wrong saying this after an episode proposing stopping shopping, but do bag yourself a copy of The Day the World Stops Shopping - ask your library if they have a copy, or use one of the links above for more ethical alternatives to AmazonSlow down your own consumption - could you cut your spending by 4% in 2022...?Share your outfit repeats, your secondhand finds, your mends, your battered old mobile phone on your social media feeds - start a conversation about consumption and slowing downIf you have something that breaks, and can't get parts or spares, e-mail the manufacturer and ask why Were you surprised to hear about how much consumption has sky rocketed?Let me know in the comments!! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

I talk a lot on this podcast about changes that we can make as individuals, and as households but possibly don’t talk enough about the other spheres of influence we have where we can create change. Businesses and government have big roles to play too, but whilst most of us are unlikely to have the ear of our MP or the PM, the majority of us have some kind of connection with businesses – whether we work for them, run them, or simply buy from them.Earlier on this year, Boris called on small and medium businesses to ‘lead the charge’ in the race to net zero, which I remember thinking at the time felt a little unfair. I would imagine that most small business owners want to do the right thing and make their businesses more sustainable, but there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of information out there about quite what they can do.This is why it was brilliant to be able to chat to April Sotomayor from Investors in the Environment in the this episode, for some really down to earth and practical advice for anyone wanting to start to work on their business footprint. Now I’m taking a wild guess that most people listening probably aren’t CEO’s of businesses, and are statistically more likely to be employees, but remember the power that you have as an employee, as a part of the business, to be asking questions, and encouraging positive change -  this is a huge sphere of influence that many of us have that we often forget and is actually somewhere we might even see a bigger impact than with our individual changes.So listen in, check out some of the links below, and then have a little think about where your power lies in the business you work in. And if you don’t feel like you have any, then who does? And how might you be able to start a conversation with themLet me know how you get on! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Investors in the Environment- Website- Twitter- Linked In[101] - The Power of You (podcast)The Power of You (blog post)Katharine Hayhoe's TED talkThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Brainstorm your 'spheres of influence'  where you workThink about how you might introduce a 'climate conversation' with your line manager or senior management teamBe brave! Would/could you speak to your business about making a climate action plan?Let me know in the comments!! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

So then.....COP26 is all done and dusted, and the circus has moved on out of town.There was a LOT of coverage (at least there was in my little social media bubble!) and it was amazing to see climate issues as headline news nearly every day through out the fortnight.And there were a helluva a lot of opinion pieces written, tweeted and spoken - many of them contradictory, and at times (all the time?) it felt hard to really get a sense of what happened and where that leaves us.Luckily for us, the amazing Laura Young (aka Less Waste Laura) who came and gave us a Beginner's Guide to COP26 just a few short weeks ago, and who was actually there in the flesh and in the Blue Zone (where all the negotiations were happening) to give us her take on the good bits, the bad bits, and everything in between.I think for me, the take home is that progress was made, not enough, and not fast enough, but progress nonetheless. And that actually, in so much of this stuff, governments will always be the slowest and last to react (super frustrating when they should the quickest and first..), and the fact that they are now reacting and taking is positive. But importantly, as Greta says, we don't need to wait for them. We are the ones with (a lot of) the power. We can act without them. We can create change in our own homes, communities, and workplaces. And that is huge.Enjoy! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...COP26 websiteLess Waste Laura- Website- Instagram- TwitterTearfund[118] - A Beginner's Guide to COP26 (podcast)[101] - The Power of You (podcast)The Power of You (blog post)Katharine Hayhoe's TED talkThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Make a 'ta-da!' list of all the climate actions and changes you've already made - share it on social mediaBrainstorm your 'spheres of influence' Write to your MP, local council, school headmaster, boss - let them know that this is an issue that is important to you and ask what their climate plans are Do you feel a bit more informed about COP26 now?Let me know in the comments!! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

At first glance, healthcare and the NHS might not seem to be linked to the climate crisis. And doesn't the NHS have enough on it's plate at the moment without being expected to 'green' itself?Tune in to this great episode with GPs Dr Fran Cundill and Dr Matthew Sawyer discussing how sustainability and healthcare and inter-linked and how they impact each other, with climate action leading to healthier people and better health outcomes, and also how the healthcare system impacts on the climate.We can prevent 125,000 deaths (a quarter of all UK deaths) a year by meeting current climate goals13% of asthma cases globally are a result of traffic fumesAir pollution is also a significant contributor to heart disease, and also affects children's ability to learnA hotter, dirtier planet leads to poorer health outcomes and more deathsThe NHS has 1.3 million employees, making it the biggest employer in the UKThe NHS emits about 25 million tonnes of CO2e a year, which is about 4% of the UK's total emissionsPrimary care (GPs) is about 25% of the NHS, making GPs responsible for about 5.75 million tonnes CO2eAbout 60% of General Practice emissions are from medicines, the rest is from energy usage in buildings, other supplies needed etc.30-40% of medications prescribed aren't takenOne traditional inhaler has the equivalent footprint of driving 175 miles. Newer 'dry powder' inhalers are easier to use, as effective and have the equivalent footprint of driving just 4miles! (If you use an inhaler, keep taking it as prescribed, and if you're interested in exploring other options book an appointment to see your GP!)Dr Fran CundillDr Matthew Sawyer LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Greener NHSGreener Practice- Green Impact for Health Toolkit- Greener Practice Guide to Inhaler PrescribingCentre for Sustainable Healthcare- Courses for healthcare professionalsSEE SustainabilityGeneral practice non-clinical carbon calculatorAsthma UK websiteCarbon Literacy Toolkits for HealthcareThere is no Planet B - Mike Berners-LeeHow Bad are Bananas - Mike Berners-LeeThe Power of You (blog post)The Power of You (podcast)Katharine Hayhoe TED talk The Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Keep yourself healthy! - Eat well, exercise, spend time in natureIf you have regular repeat medications, only order what you need, and if necessary ask your GP for a reviewMake sure you return any unused medications, and empty inhalers to the pharmacy for correct disposalLobby your MP and local politicians to push for greener healthcareAsk your local GP practice if they are part of the Greener Practice group, and signpost them in the right directionAsk about patient participation groups, and if there is any way to feedback and make suggestions to your GP's practiceSee if there are any social prescribing groups or projects you can volunteer to a be a part of Had you given much thought to the impact of healthcare on the planet?Let me know in the comments!! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]

So then. How are you feeling?It’s coming up to the end of COP and two weeks of intense negotiation and shenanigans. Someone asked me this morning how I was feeling about it all, and my answer was confused. Or should that be COPfused – see what I did there…And I get a sense that I’m not the only one. My social media feeds have been full of posts – lots of them contradicting each other. On the one hand we’ve got the governments spin on things, which all sounds marvellous. And on the other, we’ve got the youth activists telling us it’s all been a massive exercise in corporate greenwashing and yet more blah blah blah. I don’t know what to think but I suspect the reality lies, as ever, somewhere between the two extremes. But it all feels a bit overwhelming. Really seeing, just how complicated and difficult getting any kind of international consensus is. And that’s just on the intention to do stuff, not actually doing it. It feels like the system is broken. Even COP, the system for changing the systems has felt a bit broken with lots of countries and people excluded, and stories that the biggest contingent there is from the fossil fuel lobby.So I wanted to share with you something I posted on social media around system change last week that seemed to strike a chord. Apologies if you’ve already seen it, but I feel like it bears repeating. LISTEN... CHECK OUT...The power of you (blog post)A beginners guide to COP26 (podcast)The Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Cut open your toothpaste tubes, body lotion, make up etc and scrape out what's inside!Think about the small ways you can 'embody' a mindset of slower, more conscious consumptionShare your changes, talk about your fears, have more climate conversations Does this resonate with you?How are you shaking the system?Let me know in the comments!! KNACKERED BUT WANT TO 'DO SOMETHING'..?Join the Sustainable(ish) e-mail list and kick off your imperfect eco-action with my '5 easy Sustainable(ish) things you can do from your sofa'! By signing up you'll also receive my weekly sustainable(ish) newsletter. You can make use of the unsubscribe link in every e-mail at anytime SIGN UP NOW! […]