For many environmental activists the results of the UK General Election will be a kick in the teeth. Out of all the parties the Conservative manifesto was the worst for the Climate Emergency. I woke up feeling very defeated and depressed that the environment is apparently so far down the list of priorities for UK voters. However, we have to move forward and we have to have hope and above all else we can’t give up. Now it’s time to take action!
There are so many ways that you can take action on behalf of the environment.
Those of us who have been making a conscious effort to ‘be more green‘ by just changing our shopping habits can do so much more. Here are just a few ideas…
How To Take Action for a Greener Future
1. Join a local tree planting society
We need more trees, everyone knows this by now. Getting outdoors with like-minded people to plant trees is one of the most useful ways you can take action and will be great for your mental health as well.
2. Go litter-picking
Make a deal with yourself to go out at least once a week for at least an hour to pick up litter. You might want to focus on an area near a waterway or maybe pick a local park.
3. Allow your garden to be a wildlife haven
Allowing your garden to be insect-friendly and wildlife friendly rather than keeping it ‘neat and tidy’ is so important these days. Put up a blue heart so that all of your neighbours know why your lawn is a little wild otherwise they might think you’re just lazy. You never know, it might encourage your neighbours to do their bit as well.
4. Speak to local garden centres
Go and visit your local garden centres and question them on why they still sell peat-based compost, hedgehog killing slug pellets or dangerous weed-killers (if they do). Explain to the manager / owner why these items are so bad for them to sell and encourage other local people to speak to them as well. The more people that show concern, the more likely they will change what they sell. Focus first on locally owned garden centres but feel free to contact the nationwide ones too.
5. Speak to locally owned cafes, restaurants and bars
Pop into locally owned businesses and encourage them to go plastic free and to only use locally grown produce. If you can, go prepared with a list of local suppliers (preferably organic). If you do the research for them it makes it easier for them to change.
6. Contact your local council and request they stop mowing roadside verges
The excuse local councils so often use for mowing roadside verges is that people complained. Make it so that more people complain about them destroying these incredibly important wildlife habitats. Tell them that they can join the blue heart campaign or put up signage to explain the reasons why the wildflowers on roadside verges are not being trashed.
7. Become a peaceful protestor
It might seem like protesting doesn’t work, but it does in so many cases. The more protestors there are the more likely those in charge are to listen. For example if HS2 is about to destroy a local ancient woodland join the other protestors to try and stop it from happening.
8. Contact your local MP
Your MP is supposed to work for their constituents, so question them, challenge them and let them know what issues are most important to you. Wherever possible visit them in person, but also write letters or emails or even phone their office. Encourage other local people to do the same. Although they are likely to be your MP for at least another 4 years at some point they will fear they won’t be re-elected if they don’t support some of the issues their constituents are passionate about.
9. Email the Prime Minister
Much the same as contacting your local MP, if the PM is bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls about environmental issues there should hopefully come a point that he realises he has to take these problems seriously.
10. Take time out
Taking more direct action is more important than ever, but don’t forget about you. Take time out to reflect and relax every now and then so it doesn’t all get too overwhelming. Your mental health should be your top priority above anything else, otherwise you won’t be able to achieve anything.
These are just some of the ways that you can feel like you’re actually doing something. Carry on shopping more responsibly and avoiding plastic but try to take action as well.
