Savings in grams of carbon dioxide per annum:
Individual
We need to work together because working together our productivity is much, much greater. Individual effort has negligible direct effect on climate change. However, by taking action and living a lower-carbon lifestyle we help to create new norms and join an energetic movement which helps others do the same. This opens a market for more sustainable ideas and helps convince politicians to do the right thing.
31,200,000 Planting 100 trees (working in a group)
3,500,000 Switching from using a petrol to an electric car
2,288,000 Changing from being a meat eater to vegan (works pro rata, so that flexitarians also help)
2,750,000 Changing from using a gas boiler to a heat pump
1,500,000 Changing from being a vegetarian to being a vegan
1,200,000 Installing 4KW solar panel
1,000,000 Cut 1 London to Athens return flight p.a.
1,000,000 Insulate a loft (yours or someone else’s
780,000 Meat eater to vegetarian
350,000 Take shorter showers
312,000 Planting 1 tree
60,000 Use aerated shower head
? Vote for those prioritising climate issues
? Ask “[Meat,] pulses, beans or eggs tonight?”
Government
112,000,000,000,000 Banning petrol and diesel cars (equivalent to planting 359,000,000 trees)
7,300,000,000,000 Change steel making – use hydrogen rather than coal for iron extraction (=23,000,000 trees).
? Control incentives and subsidies for farmers.
? Stop fossil fuel subsidies, leave fuel in ground.
General things that help
Buying good quality – things then lasts longer, reducing production, reducing carbon.
Avoiding air freighted foods, or hothouse grown food by eating fruit and veg in season (see list below).
Eating locally grown food, or Buy British so less CO2 because fewer transport miles.
Buying clothes that are easy to wash and dry and which are built to last, repairing when needed and buying second hand, then selling/donating.
Eating less meat and dairy.
Eating everything you buy.
Taking your own bags to shops, no shop bags.
Using LED light bulbs everywhere.
There is a personal carbon calculator here.
UK Seasonal Veg
JAN – Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Kale, Leek, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting, Swede, Sweet Potato, Turnip.
FEB – Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Kale, Leek, Parsnip, Pepper, Purple Sprouting, Swede, Sweet Potato, Turnip.
MAR – Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Leek, Parsnip, Pepper, Potato, Purple Sprouting, Spinach, Spring Greens, Sweet Potato, Watercress.
APR – Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Lettuce, Peas, Pepper, Potato, Purple Sprouting, Radish, Spinach, Spring Greens, Tomato, Watercress.
MAY – Asparagus, Aubergine, Cabbage, Lettuce, Peas, Pepper, Potato, Radish, Spinach, Spring Greens, Tomato, Watercress.
JUN – Asparagus, Aubergine, Basil, Cabbage, Courgette, Fennel, Lettuce, Peas, Pepper, Potato, Radish, Runner beans, Spinach, Spring Greens, Tomato, Watercress.
JUL – Asparagus, Aubergine, Basil, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Celery, Courgette, Fennel, Lettuce, Marrow, Peas, Pepper, Potato, Radish, Runner beans, Spinach, Tomato, Watercress.
AUG – Aubergine, Basil, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Celery, Courgette, Fennel, Lettuce, Marrow, Peas, Pepper, Radish, Runner beans, Spinach, Sweetcorn, Tomato, Watercress.
SEP – Aubergine, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Celeriac, Celery, Courgette, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lettuce, Marrow, Parsnip, Peas, Pepper, Pumpkin, Radish, Runner Beans, Spinach, Sweetcorn, Tomato, Watercress.
OCT – Aubergine, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac, Celery, Kale, Leek, Lettuce, Parsnip, Peas, Pepper, Pumpkin, Radish, Runner Beans, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Turnip.
NOV – Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac, Celery, Kale, Leek, Lettuce, Parsnip, Peas, Pumpkin, Runner Beans, Sweet Potato, Turnip.
DEC – Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Kale, Leek, Lettuce, Parsnip, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Turnip.