In the second of her ‘Save Money; Save the Planet’ series of LinkedIn newsletters 100 Ways’ founder Sue Skeats says she’s just read about a single mum in Norwich who’s juggling five different jobs to keep her and her daughter in ‘heating and eating’. And another story of a man who’d rather feed his dog than himself with the little money he has to live on. With the burden of rising bills and political chaos top of mind she argues it can be easy to forget there’s a looming climate crisis too.
But in the newsletter, Sue goes on to suggest easily achievable sustainability ideas to help people start making a difference – to their pockets as well as the planet. It includes one for parents or carers to share with the kids when they’re off school next week. We share them below.
Our wonderful psychology PhD researcher Claire Gregory says that making small changes like these, that fit easily into your life and are easy to maintain, can actually help change our behaviour. And help us all be that little bit greener. But she points out : “It’s important that we gather information before trying to change habits, to think about WHY you want to change your habits and why it’s important (in this case to do our bit in fighting climate change).
So, here we reprint the tips. They combine thought-provoking facts with handy [money-saving] hacks that also help us do better by the planet…
Putting the brakes on bad driving
Road travel accounts for three-quarters of transport emissions. Most of this comes from passenger vehicles – cars and buses – which contribute 45.1%. So, apart from keeping to the speed limit for safety (obviously!) slower speeds make for better driving. Did you know that driving at 50mph uses 25% LESS fuel than 70mph. Slam dunk. £££ saved!
Drink tap water, not bottled
Still drinking commercially bottled water rather than good old tap water? Professor Darren Reynolds, Health and Environment, Centre for Research in Biosciences and the Institute for Bio-Sensing Technology, University of the West of England, Bristol says: “‘Bottled water is no better for our health – and it’s 500 times more expensive than tap water. That’s the equivalent of paying £2,000 – £2,500 for a pint of beer!”
Top tap tip: keep your refillable water bottle with your phone and keys – and never forget to take it with you.
A stitch in time really can save nine (try it with the kids this half term!)
A shocking 336,000 tonnes of clothing gets thrown away every year in the UK while globally, every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or burned.
But enough of the doom and gloom. In a sneak preview of one of our 100 Ways we teamed up with Emma Mathews, founder of ethical sock brand Socko. Here she gives a quick video tutorial on how a stitch in time really can save nine; how your much-loved old garments can live to see another day. Drum roll please for… Darning for Dummies.
For the parents amongst you, why not grab all your old woollies and teach the kids some fun life skills this half term!
We hope you like these tips (please let us know what you think) – and let’s all get meaner and greener!
