Simple ways to help combat the climate and biodiversity crises.

Havering Friends of the Earth have shared some handy tips on how we can all help ease the climate crisis. The climate group are a very friendly group who do vital work in our community.

Please read their advice on some small but important measures we can all take to make a change for our planet.

Rethink:

The primary cause of climate change and global warming is the burning of fossil fuels, in transport, and to heat our homes. 

We all need to Rethink our use of oil, coal and gas.

Do you really need to use your car for that journey?  Can you not walk, cycle, or take public transport? Could you buy an electric vehicle? 

Is your house well insulated? Unfortunately, gas bills are high in Havering because many houses are not well insulated. 

Have you considered solar power, or a heat pump? Do you use an energy company that supplies ‘green electricity’?

When you think about the food you buy – has it travelled for miles to reach the shop, using aviation fuel and pumping more pollution into the air? Please buy local produce, (or grow your own).

2. Reduce:

To prevent waste and pollution we need to Reduce the amount we consume.  

Perhaps you could Refuse single-use products, especially if they are made of plastic?

Or could you Re-use something instead of throwing it away?  Plastic containers can be used to keep pencils in or other odds and ends! Or as plant-holders, etc. Bigger items can often be Refurbished, and most goods can be Repaired.

Sometimes it is good if you can Recycle – but this should really be a last resort, because recycling uses more energy.

3. Re-wild:

Wildlife is disappearing as a result of industrialised agriculture.

Can you do without pesticides? There are natural ways of getting rid of pests such as greenfly, but pesticides kill off even friendly insects and creatures. Slug pellets also kill hedgehogs!  

Please don’t use plastic grass – it damages the soil, and kills off worms and other creatures that are food for birds. Peat-based compost is also a no-no: peat should be left in the ground to absorb CO2!              

Can you encourage more pollinators by planting a variety of flowering plants (especially native plants)? Can you encourage your council to plant more trees? Trees also help fight global warming. 

Could you leave an area of your garden un-mown? Wildflowers and grass seeds are valuable food for insects and birds.

Cold you make a compost heap? Rather than using artificial feed in the garden, why not recycle the nutrients that are already in plants, by allowing them to rot down and make rich soil?  

4. Join a group: together we will be more effective in protecting the environment.

These notes have been prepared by Havering Friends of the Earth – contact Ian Pirie 07538959777 (ian_michael_pirie@btinternet.com).  There are other local organisations working to protect the environment, and we can put you in touch with them.

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