Sustainable(ish)

Here in the UK we get through around 2.5 BILLION disposable cups a year – 1 million trees are felled just for coffee cups, and a typical cup uses around 05 litre of water in being made.And sadly, disposable coffee cups are very hard to recycle – a 2017 study found that only around 1:400 are recycled – due to the difficulty in recycling the plastic coated paper, and also I would imagine to the large amount of contamination that must occur when trying to collect them as a waste stream.The billions of coffee cups that are ending up in landfill every year are responsible for around 152,000 tonnes of CO2 which is equivalent to the emissions of 33, 300 cars. And it’s only going to get worse – WWF predict that our coffee cup usage will increase by 33% by 2030!So what’s the answer?Reusables I hear you cry! Well done, bonus points for you.And I’m sure that most of us have got at least one reusable cup kicking around at home. But how many of us remember to take them out with us every time. Be honest? Research from environmental charity Hubbub found that while 69% of us own a reusable cup, only around 1 in 6 of them remembered to use it every single time. Enter the Shrewsbury Cup – a simply brilliant project, the brain child of Ali Thomas and Sophie Peach, who both wanted to do something to reduce single use plastic usage where they live in Shrewsbury, and created this wonderful scheme that has been replicated many times, and if I’m not mistaken, might even be being used at COP26 as we speak LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Shrewsbury Cup- Website- Twitter- InstagramCanCan - reusable cup scheme being trialled in BristolThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Grab yourself a reusable cup if you haven't already got one!Suggest the scheme to your school, community group if they regularly use disposable cups Adding this to the list of projects I would love to run if/when I have time... How about you?!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! […]

COP 26. You can’t fail to have heard about it – my social media feeds are full of it, and even though these are very definitely skewed for eco stuff, it’s been all over the mainstream news and there’s been lots of great TV programming around it. But, erm, what is it?Hopefully I’m not alone in not really knowing – or having a kind of idea, but not really feeling like I could explain it very well to my kids, or my nan. And why all this fuss about it this time around? And what, if anything, will come of it?I was delighted to get the chance to put all these questions and more to someone who will be there in the flesh and on the ground. Laura Young, aka Less Waste Laura, is a climate activist, environmental scientist, public speaker and all round awesome human being, who will be in the Blue Zone (she explains what the Blue Zone is during the podcast!) for the whole of COP26 with Tearfund, the international development charity that she works for.So sit back, relax, and listen in to this beginners guide to Cop 26.Enjoy!  LISTEN... CHECK OUT...COP26 websiteLess Waste Laura- Website- Instagram- TwitterTearfundGlobal Day of Action (6th November) - see if there is a climate march near youClimate FringeKatharine Hayhoe's TED talkThey Work for You (find out who your MP is if you don't know)The Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...See if there is a climate march happening locally to you on the 6th NovemberCheck out and sign up for the 'virtual march' if there isn't one local to you and/or marching isn't your thing!See if there are any live streams or virtual events you can attendAsk your school or workplace if there is anything you can do - it's not too late to get something organised! 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! […]

Today we’re talking education, specifically eco-education. For me it feels like schools are a really big part of the jigsaw when it comes to changing hearts and minds, and to educating and empowering us all around the changes that we can make, both individually and collectively. More and more schools are running eco clubs, and hosting Green Days or Green Weeks, but ‘sustainability’ is a huge topic, and there is a very strong argument for making it the mainstay of the curriculum around which all the other topics hang. But how do we do this? When schools and teachers are already on their knees after 18months+ of Covid, alongside the ever changing goalposts of Department for Education, and ensuring that our children have those most of vital of all skills - the ability to recognise a fronted adverbial. Nope, no clue here either. And I’ve written two books!Today’s guest is here to help! Paul Turner is a geography teacher and education lead at the Ministry of Eco Education – "a collaboration of teachers working together to put sustainability at the heart of education."Hear all about the project, their ambition to have half of all primary schools on board by 2025, and importantly, how you can persuade the schools you have connections with to get involved.Enjoy! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Ministry of Eco Education- Website- Twitter- Webinar - How to put sustainability at the heart of education (25th Oct '21)Paul Turner on Twitter[098] - Eco Schools (podcast)The Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Sign up for the webinar on the 25th Oct, or pass on the details to your schoolAsk your school/your children's school/schools in your local area what their plans are for bringing sustainability into the curriculum - the more parents that ask, the more likely the schools are to act!Signpost your school to the Ministry of Eco Education website Anyone else hugely excited by this?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! […]

Gas prices are going through the roof, energy bills are soaring, and energy companies are dropping like flies.Why is this happening, and what is the best thing for us to do as consumers, for our household budget and for the planet?Tune in to this episode with Jon Fletcher from green energy comparison site Big Clean Switch, where I ask him 'all the questions' about exactly what is happening, and where this leaves us, as people wanting to do our bit for the planet.I hope this is helpful - let me know in the comments! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Big Clean Switch - Website- Newsletter- Facebook- Twitter[045]- How to switch to a renewable energy tariff with confidence, with Big Clean SwitchA beginners guide to switching to a renewable energy tariff The Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Sit tight for the moment! (Unless you've got stacks of money and can absorb the price increases, in which case switch away!)Sign up to the Big Clean Switch newsletter so you can keep up to date with the latest advice, and be ready to switch when they adviseTake steps to save energy at homeSpeak to your employer about whether your company/organisation could switch to a renewable tariff Has this helped you to understand what's happening and why with energy prices?Let me know! 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! […]

Strap yourself in, this episode is all about emotions and feelings - specifically emotions and feelings related to the climate crisis and the teensy matter of the planet burning and us all going to hell in a handcart. That kind of stuff.Before we dive in, hopefully it goes without saying that I’m not a therapist, or a psychologist, or in any way qualified to give actual advice about any of this stuff – this is in effect, me having a bit of a rant and verbalising some of the stuff spinning round my head. In the hopes that maybe it will resonate, and if you’re also feeling like this, then you’ll know that you’re not alone.These are BIG emotions. BIG feelings. Overwhelming feelings. And whilst we need to sit with them, and acknowledge them, if you feel like they’re getting on top of you and are starting to interfere with your daily life and your enjoyment of things you would ordinarily enjoy doing, please do seek professional help. I will pop some links below for anyone who might find them helpful.Do let me know your thoughts (and feelings) on this one. LISTEN... CHECK OUT...The SamaritansClimate PsychologistsClimate Psychology AllianceHope is a Verb - wonderfully uplifting, and beautiful book, from Emily Ehlers (aka EcoEm on social media)The Knackered Mums Eco ClubThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Grab a piece of paper and have a brain dump - don't censor it, write down anything that comes to mind. No one is going to read it.Pick a time when you're feeling resilient and in a pretty positive frame of mind. Pick a person who you trust, and who you think would be a good first person to chat to about this. And then ask the question: "Do you ever worry about the climate crisis?" and see where the conversation goes.Do one thing. No matter how small. A litter pick is brilliant as it's outside, there's some activity involved, you get to see a difference and there's a very good chance someone will tell you what a wonderful person you are. But anything counts.If you're really struggling, talk to someone - my inbox is always open, and there are lots of people out there who can help.  How was this one for you?Have I just over-shared? Or has it been helpful to hear someone else talk about this stuff? 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 this episode I’m chatting to James Murray, editor of Business Green, and contributor to a recently publish book How to raise a global citizen – a book with the tagline "For the parents of the children who will save the world".We chat about why we’re both not really very keen on that tagline, the pressure that is on parents in our rapidly changing world, what it means to raise a global citizen, and share some thoughts and ideas for how we might start to do just that.As always, if you enjoy the show, please do  leave a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts – it helps get more ears on the podcast, which in turn hopefully inspires more people to take imperfect eco action.Enjoy! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...How to raise a global citizen- On Hive- On BookshopBusiness GreenJames Murray on TwitterJames' blog posts about parenting in a climate crisis- The joy and the fear- Fear and loathing on the climate beat- Noah's rainbow - raising children in an age of climate crisisA beginners guide to switching to a renewable energy tariff Make your money matter[044] - How to get your MP to take action on the climate crisis Katherine Hayhoe TED talk - The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about itThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...James' top tips!- Change your energy provider to a renewable tariff- Eat a bit less meat- Fly a bit less- Change your pension to a sustainable fund- If you are in a position to, think about an EV as your next car. And think about how you might be able to drive less and walk/cycle more- Talk about climate! How do you feel about 'raising a global citizen'?It sounds pretty full on to me - but remember intention and imperfect action is a great starting place! 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'm still not quite sure how this happened, but in this episode I'm chatting to the co-CEO's of Friends of the Earth! Listen in as I chat to Miriam Turner and Hugh Knowles about their roles as co-CEOs, Friends of the Earth's 50th anniversary, and how Friends of the Earth can help to support us taking climate action in our local communities. LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Friends of the Earth UK- Website- Facebook- Twitter- Instagram- Postcode locator- Take Climate Action (find a climate action group near your)Chris Johnstone and Joanna Macy - Active Hope[044] - How to get your MP to take action on the climate crisis The Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Check out the Friends of the Earth website and see which of their projects and campaigns tickles your fancyFind out if you have a climate action group near youUse your voice - take a deep breath and try to have more conversations about climate - your worries and fears, and also the positive stuff you're doing Did you enjoy this one?! 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! […]

This episode was recorded live at Timber Festival over the summer and was my first every experience of a live podcast recording - I think it went ok!Timber Festival is an annual festival in the National Forest in the middle of England, that this year happened at the beginning of July - there was  a brilliant line up of talks, music, food and everything else you would expect from a festival (including rain..!). Because I'm a total geek I was particularly excited by the reusable cups, reusable wristbands and the compost loos! I'm chatting to Will Cottrell, Chair and Co-Founder of Brighton Energy Co-operative, about all things Community Energy - what it is, how it works, and how we as individuals, households, and businesses can get involved. LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Timber FestivalBrighton Energy Co-operative- Website- Facebook- Twitter- Solar SchoolsCommunity Energy EnglandSalisbury Community EnergyWiltshire Wildlife Trust solar schemesLocal Electricity Bill[044 ] - How to get your MP to take action on the climate crisis with Power for PeopleThe Sustainable(ish) FB group DO...Get in touch with your MP about the Local Electricity BillFind out if you have a community energy group near youWrite to your local council asking if they have ever considered community energy on their buildings Let me know your thoughts about community energy! 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! […]

Earth Overshoot DayHave you heard of it?You may have seen a post or two on social media telling you that today is Earth Overshoot Day, and you may well be wondering what on earth that is! Which is a great question.Here's the official definition:"Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year."Any clearer? Me neither.Tune in as I explain a little more, about what Earth Overshoot Day is, why it matters, and what we can do about it.Enjoy! LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Earth Overshoot DayConscious Consumption (podcast)Sustainable(ish) Guardian MasterclassThe Sustainable(ish) FB groupThe Knackered Mums Eco Club - come and join us for a month of plastic-free(ish) action in July! DO...Slow down your consumption- could you commit to buying a percentage of clothes secondhand?- could you walk or bike journeys under a mile?- could you reduce your meat consumption by 50%Have a conversation with a friend or colleague about Earth Overshoot Day, or post something on social media (you could even share this podcast... ) Had you already heard of Earth Overshoot Day?Do you find it a useful visual/conversation starter? AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times […]

Weird weather.We’re all feeling it aren’t we?We've had some of the hottest temperatures recorded in the UK, on the back of a cold cold May. And do you remember the really hot spring we had the year before? And a couple of years ago when it hit 20C in February and everyone was wondering around in t-shirts eating ice creams?I think most people have noticed the weird weather, but maybe not everyone has joined the dots just yet and realised that this is it – this is the climate changing. We can no longer expect the defined and reasonable reliable seasonal changes of previous generations. We are now living with a very changeable and unpredictable climate – the implications of which go way beyond us wanting to put the heating back on in May.Listen in to this chat with Joe Shute, journalist and author of Forecast: A diary of the lost seasons where we do that most British of all things and discuss the weather..Enjoy LISTEN... CHECK OUT...Joe Shute- TwitterForecast: A Diary of the Lost SeasonsA Shadow Above: The Fall and Rise of the RavenNature's CalendarNew Year Plant HuntGreat Green WallBig Garden Bird WatchEvery Flower CountsBig Butterfly CountThe Sustainable(ish) FB groupThe Knackered Mums Eco Club - come and join us for a month of plastic-free(ish) action in July! DO...Start your own weather and nature diary, and submit your data to Nature's CalendarTalk about the changing seasons and weather with your kids Have you noticed the changing seasons?How does it make you feel? AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN ALL GOOD BOOK SHOPS NOW! "Easily the most family friendly way to do your bit"The Sunday Times […]