During the Covid lockdowns, a WWF study found that British people reduced their carbon footprints by about 17%.
But what will happen as we return to business as usual? Can we use lessons learned from the Covid crisis to start living in ways that are more satisfying and more sustainable?
Carbon-saving expert Mukti Mitchell is confident that such a change will be beneficial, and has put together a list of seven ways to slash your personal carbon footprint.
‘I’ve found over 25 years that the things I do to reduce my carbon footprint usually make me happier, healthier and save me money. So I’m convinced that going towards zero carbon Britain is going to improve the quality of our lives.
‘Here are my seven simple steps for living a higher quality, lower carbon life. Just try one or two and see if you feel uplifted.’
MUKTI MITCHELL
Low-carbon living expert
1. For the most delicious, nutritious and healthy food, buy local, seasonal and organic (a great one for foodies!). Also try reducing meat and dairy by having one vegan day per week. This can improve health, introduce you to new dishes and save you money.
2. For short journeys, walk or cycle to get the benefits of exercise and being outdoors. E-bikes can be a great help for journeys of up to 5 miles.
3. Take a local holiday or staycation and get to know your own area better. Save on the stress caused by long-distance travel.
4. Insulate your house. Be warmer, save money on fuel bills and get a high return on your investment.
5. For household items, buy high quality and enjoy something which doesn’t break down or need replacing for a long time. Buying secondhand can enable you to get higher quality products for the same amount of money, which is very satisfying.
6. Switch to a renewable energy supplier and feel good about your energy use.
7. Within Europe, take one less flight and go by train or ferry. Savour the experience of slow travel and you’ll enjoy the journey as well as the destination.
You can learn more about why all these actions save CO2 by visiting carbonsavvy.uk. Here you can also use the carbon footprint calculator to find out your CO2 baseline.
Mukti Mitchell’s Carbon Ambassadors Course, starting 28 May, 2021, will offer a complete understanding of carbon reductions and quality of life in seven easy sessions.
With special guest speakers Penney Poyzer, Peter Owen Jones, Satish Kumar, Nic Marks, Barbara Hadrill and Jonathan Smith, the course is run jointly by the Resurgence Trust and Carbon Savvy.
Click here to book your place on the course – you can choose to do all seven sessions or attend separate ones. Every participant will receive a free copy of Resurgence & Ecologist magazine.
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