What can I actually do to make a difference?
1. Talk about it
Spread the word - make sure that climate change and the action that is needed is not brushed under the rug, put aside or ignored. Keep talking about it. Talk to your friends, talk to your parents, keep sharing on social media. The minute we stop talking about it is the minute we start to lose the battle.
2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (in that order)
Think about everything you own and use - think of the life cycle of that product.
Before you throw something away, ask - Can I reuse it? Can I repair it? Can I recycle it?
Before you buy - do I really need it? Can I buy this product in a more sustainable way, paper packaging, can I buy this locally?
3. Lobby your parents
You may not be the one buying the weekly food shop but it does not mean you cannot influence what is on the shopping list.
A few easy amendments;
- Buy less beef and lamb
- Less single use plastic - buy loose fruit and vegetables, cans instead of bottles, and don't forget that reusable bag.
- Skip palm oil completely if you can, find a list of products that contain palm oil (external link)
- Crisp packets can be recycled - find your nearest drop off point on Terracycle (external link)
4. Lobby your school
Think of all the food waste, the electricity use. What about that huge school field that is hardly used all year - not by students or wildlife.
- Get your school to join an Eco Accreditation programme (external link) and see action taken from the top
- Start your own Eco warrior or ambassador group and drive action from the ground. Further information can be found on Youth Climate Coalition's (external link) website
5. Go higher
Lobby your Parish Council, ask questions and find out what they are doing in the community to tackle climate change.
- Do they have a climate action group? Does that group have a youth representative?
- Are they managing their land for biodiversity?
- Does their neighbourhood plan consider and help prevent climate change?
Lobby East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Are you wanting your thoughts and ideas heard? Email ECDCs Climate Change Officer climatechange@eastcambs.gov.uk
- Start a petition on a change or action you want to see in your community. If you get more than 100 signatures the council committee have to discuss it