Environmental literacy articles
Festive food waste
Food waste is a problem all year round and this contributes to climate breakdown. During times of celebration, this is a particular problem.
This is the third and last Suggestion Box video about the environmental impact of festive traditions. Food waste is a problem all year round and this contributes to climate breakdown. During times of celebration, this is a particular problem. In the UK alone, around 270,000 tonnes of festive food waste is created. Here we provide some suggestions to reduce this waste.
Decorations
Karen looks at the items we use to decorate our homes. She offers some suggestions on how to reduce the impact.
This is the second video about the environmental impact of festive traditions. This time, Karen looks at the items we use to decorate our homes. She offers some suggestions on how to reduce the impact. These include changing to low energy lightbulbs and continuing to use old decorations instead of sending them to landfill. She also includes some suggestions for creating new, low impact decorations.
Christmas trees
Some pros and cons of natural trees against their artificial alternatives.
This is the first of three videos in which we explore the environmental impact of festive traditions. This time we look at Christmas trees. Once you have decided that a tree will be part of your celebrations, the next choice to make is the type of tree. Here, we offer some pros and cons of natural trees against their artificial alternatives.
Discuss issues
Ways that you can discuss issues once you have made changes to reduce your own environmental impact.
In this video we suggest ways that you can discuss issues once you have made changes to reduce your own environmental impact. These include questions to ask your friends and family to find out what they know and what action they are taking. You can also find out about climate action groups in your local area.
See also
Gardening
However big or small your outside space might be, in this video we give some suggestions for how you can help the environment when gardening.
However big or small your outside space might be, in this video we give some suggestions for how you can help the environment when gardening. For example, if you only have a windowsill, hang up a bunch of twigs to provide a shelter for pollinators. Plant choices and composting waste are other ways to garden for the planet.
Investments
Karen suggests some checks that you can make to ensure that your investments do not result in harm to the environment.
In this video, Karen suggests some checks that you can make to ensure that your investments do not result in harm to the environment. The activities of fossil fuel companies and chemical manufacturers have a negative effect on the planet. Our investments could be used to fund these companies so it is important that you ask questions about your investments.
Green spaces
Access to green space is beneficial to our well being.
Access to green space is beneficial to our well being. However not everyone has their own green space. Here Karen explores some ways in which we can experience the benefits of green spaces that are accessible to all.
Leisure time
Our leisure time is important and we need to make the most of it. In this video, Karen explores some options for using leisure time that do not have a negative impact on the planet but are also inexpensive and accessible.
Our leisure time is important and we need to make the most of it. In this video, Karen explores some options for using leisure time that do not have a negative impact on the planet but are also inexpensive and accessible.
See also
Natural cleaning
Manufactured cleaning chemicals are not always good for the environment. In this video Karen suggests a few of the natural alternative cleaning chemicals that can be used.
Manufactured cleaning chemicals are not always good for the environment. In this video Karen suggests a few of the natural alternative cleaning chemicals that can be used. These options may take a bit more time and elbow grease to work but they are kinder to the environment; cheap and can be just as effective as the branded options.
Holidays
Holidays are beneficial to our health and wellbeing. Apart from the impact of the way we travel to our destinations, there are decisions we can make about the activities we take part in while on holiday.
Holidays are beneficial to our health and wellbeing. Apart from the impact of the way we travel to our destinations, there are decisions we can make about the activities we take part in while on holiday. In this video, Karen looks at how we can all help to reduce the emissions associated with the tourist industry.
Water use, part 4
It is now later in the day and the ways that Angie saves water during her evening routine are demonstrated as well as how she makes use of the water she has saved throughout the day.
Karen returns to the example of Angie and her family for the last time in this series of Suggestion Box videos. It is now later in the day and the ways that Angie saves water during her evening routine are demonstrated as well as how she makes use of the water she has saved throughout the day.
Cling film
Cling film or cling wrap is widely used as a cover for food. However, as it is not always easy to recycle, it contributes to land fill where it takes a long time to break down.
Cling film or cling wrap is widely used as a cover for food. However, as it is not always easy to recycle, it contributes to land fill where it takes a long time to break down. In doing so, toxic chemicals are released. Some of the ways to reduce its use in the home are suggested here.
Food: dairy
The dairy industry is a big contributor to the world’s carbon emissions, with dairy products being widely available and included in diets all over the world.
The dairy industry is a big contributor to the world’s carbon emissions, with dairy products being widely available and included in diets all over the world. In this video we look at some ways in which farmers are working to reduce the emissons of their herds and suggest some choices for those who do not wish to exclude these products from their diets completely.
Planting trees?
Karen looks at the option of offsetting carbon emissions. She mentions the various projects available. One of these is the popular option of tree-planting schemes.
In this Suggestion Box Karen looks at the option of offsetting carbon emissions. She mentions the various projects available. One of these is the popular option of tree-planting schemes. However this should be a last resort, after steps have been taken to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible. Viewers are encouraged to look at other videos in the Suggestion Box series for ideas on how to achieve lower emissions.
Toiletries
Toiletries can have a positive effect on our well-being. They help us to smell and feel nice. However this comes at a cost to the environment.
In this video Karen acknowledges that the use of toiletries can have a positive effect on our well-being. They help us to smell and feel nice. However this comes at a cost to the environment. Karen suggests some ways to reduce this while still being able to feel the benefits of such products as shower gel, shampoo, aftershave and deodorants.
Water use, part 3
Angie works part time and in this Suggestion Box we look at steps she takes to reduce water use while at work.
In parts 1 and 2 of our water use series, we discussed the ways in which we can save water during our early morning routines. We used the example of Angie, a single Mum with two school aged children. Angie works part time and in this Suggestion Box we look at steps she takes to reduce water use while at work.
Food: fruit and vegetables
In general, vegetables have a lower impact on the environment than meat and there is a wide range of readily available vegetables for us to choose from.
In general, vegetables have a lower impact on the environment than meat and there is a wide range of readily available vegetables for us to choose from. Here we look at ways in which the environmental impact of our diets can be lowered even further. Examples are taking care to choose vegetables that are in season and preferably produced locally.
Electronic waste
If computer and other electronic waste is not disposed of properly, it adds to landfill. In breaking down, it releases toxic substances into soil and water.
In this video we look at ways to reduce electronic waste. If computer and other electronic waste is not disposed of properly, it adds to landfill. In breaking down, it releases toxic substances into soil and water. In this video we look at some options for extending the life of appliances to avoid sending them to landfill, reducing the environmental impact of this type of waste.
Recycling is an option but this should be a last resort.
Cleaning chemicals
It is important to keep our homes and workplaces clean and tidy. However, many common cleaning chemicals contain chemicals that do harm to the environment.
It is important to keep our homes and workplaces clean and tidy. However, many common cleaning chemicals contain chemicals that do harm to the environment. Some are also packaged in materials that cannot be recycled. We explain the effects in this short video and make some suggestions for changes we can make to reduce the environmental impact of keeping clean.
Upcycling
Here we offer some suggestions for reducing your environmental impact by turning items which are broken or no longer wanted into something else. This can be a fun way of prolonging the life of the materials.
This video looks at upcycling as part of our series of hints and tips. Here we offer some suggestions for reducing your environmental impact by turning items which are broken or no longer wanted into something else. This can be a fun way of prolonging the life of the materials. It also helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.
Environmental literacy
Entertainment