Ecotips
3 August 2023 / 27 March 2024 by daveeldervass
Why not listen to BBC World Service’s new 20 minute series “The Climate Question” on Sundays at 10pm to learn more about the global effects on people caused by the climate crisis? This is the link to the first programme (16 July 2023) about El Nino : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct5bk7
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11 July 2023 / 27 March 2024 by daveeldervass
Our food supplies depend on pollinating insects – we need to protect them! Why not take part in Butterfly Conservation’s project (14 July-6 Aug) to map/count butterflies in the UK and raise awareness of our great need to help pollinators by planting moth and butterfly friendly plants? https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/
11 April 2023 / 27 March 2024 by daveeldervass
Lots of compost on sale is now peat free – hurray! Please choose this – you are playing your part in preserving peatlands which are very valuable carbon sinks and which help biodiversity and help combat global warming by locking in CO2, which our planet desperately needs to do! Thanks to Katrina Nice for this […]
26 February 2023 / 12 October 2024 by daveeldervass
Here is an eco-tip courtesy of Which? magazine. Their very useful article gives detailed information on how to recycle your mobile phone: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-to-recycle-your-mobile-phone-a4RH90q3yNtT For more recent phones, you may be able to sell them so that someone else can use them again. For older phones, there are charities that will pass them on to people […]
30 January 2023 / 12 October 2024 by daveeldervass
Microwaves aren’t just for ready meals. Save time and energy costs (especially if you cook with gas) by using them for jacket potatoes, soup, veg, porridge or hot chocolate!
23 January 2023 / 12 October 2024 by daveeldervass
If you eat fish, try and buy from a sustainably fished source so that stocks don’t run out. Take a look at the Marine Stewardship Council’s website https://www.msc.org/uk and look out for their blue fish logo on tins. The Marine Stewardship Council is an international non-profit sustainable fishing charity. Their vision is oceans teeming with life and […]
10 January 2023 / 12 October 2024 by daveeldervass
Please don’t add any unwanted gifts to landfill! Instead donate to charity shops or Food Banks. Reuse is even better for the environment than recycling! Did you know that Food Banks distribute toiletries as well as food to people who are struggling? Local foodbanks: Letchworth, Hitchin and Baldock Stevenage
29 December 2022 / 27 October 2024 by daveeldervass
Have you thought about making an Eco Travel New Year’s Resolution? For example, have a No fly 2023. Or find a more eco way to have a holiday (travel/ where you stay). Or using public transport more often. Or using your bike/walking more in everyday life? Eco Wishes for 2023 Katrina
6 December 2022 / 27 October 2024 by daveeldervass
In 2019 there were an estimated 23 million unwanted Christmas gifts sent to landfill. This year try and buy gifts people will really want. Or even consider buying second hand or vintage to make them more sustainable ! Eco wishes Katrina
1 November 2022 / 27 October 2024 by daveeldervass
Fashion contributes massively to global pollution and energy use in its manufacture. Why not play your part in reducing the amount of clothing being produced in the world (and then often dumped) by using clothes for several years! Learn more by looking up ‘slow fashion’. With thanks to Katrina Nice for this week’s ecotip.
20 September 2022 / 27 October 2024 by daveeldervass
Look out for Growers’ Markets in your area , where allotment-holders and gardeners swap or sell excess produce. This reduces food miles and food waste!
3 September 2022 / 27 October 2024 by daveeldervass
If you use a steamer for your veg(especially greens or beans) or even just a sieve above the pan you are cooking your potatoes or pasta in and cover with a lid, you get tastier veg and only use one ring to cook, saving money on gas/electric!
16 August 2022 / 11 November 2024 by daveeldervass
Some ideas to help us save water – and our rivers and streams – during the current drought!
10 August 2022 / 11 November 2024 by daveeldervass
Let your lawn turn golden, grass is resilient and will bounce back again once it rains. Hosepipes and sprinklers use about 1000 liters of water per hour (or 12 baths), so use a watering can instead. Switch to a smaller paddling pool as the large ones use the same amount of water as a family of […]
2 August 2022 / 11 November 2024 by daveeldervass
The record-breaking heat we experienced recently, along with very little rainfall, have put a real strain on our local environment. The less water we take from it, the better our streams and their ecosystems will survive. As part of their Save Our Streams (SOS) campaign, Affinity Water are offering a free water-saving gadget. To save […]
25 July 2022 / 11 November 2024 by daveeldervass
Eco Tip: If there are young trees recently planted along your road, could you help them get established by watering them sometimes or even “adopting” them especially in this very hot weather? Mature trees are great at lowering temperatures by shading roads, paths and buildings. They take climate-changing carbon out of the atmosphere too.
13 July 2022 / 11 November 2024 by daveeldervass
This is an eco and health tip combined! In the very hot weather, close curtains/blinds and windows in the daytime to keep the hot air out. And save money on electric bills by turning fans off sometimes and instead cooling yourself by draping a cold wet towel round your neck, and staying hydrated. Ecotip courtesy […]
21 June 2022 / 11 November 2024 by daveeldervass
Try to start or join as many discussions as possible about Climate Change – with old and young, with people of faith or none, amongst your friends and family. It helps us face the future, find support in our anxiety and you may find surprising allies! Ecotip courtesy of Katrina Nice
13 June 2022 / 11 November 2024 by daveeldervass
Try to walk or cycle for more short trips (or car share) if you are physically able to. It will save you money as fuel prices soar and improve your fitness too! Ecotip courtesy of Katrina Nice
30 May 2022 / 12 November 2024 by daveeldervass
I did the Big Plastic Count. The results were scary even for me – and I think I’m pretty plastic aware…. Let’s be inspired anew to take action on Climate Change by reducing plastic pollution. World Refill Day is 16 June – why not make a new pledge to use reusable water bottles and coffee […]
18 May 2022 / 12 November 2024 by daveeldervass
Being Eco in a Climate Crisis means taking all kinds of action. Please think about asking your council/ MP/church/ diocese/ workplace to look at more ways of installing solar panels on many more buildings. Huge numbers have a south facing roof: great potential for local electricity generation!
1 May 2022 / 12 November 2024 by northhertsgreenparty
Look out for eco initiatives in the local elections which grapple with the increasingly serious climate crisis – and remember to go and vote if it’s your ward this year
13 April 2022 / 27 November 2024 by daveeldervass
Eco Tip : Consider growing more native or even “Mediterranean” plants this year which are more resilient and need less water to survive, as global warming increases. Rosemary and thyme are good choices and useful cooking herbs too!
21 March 2022 / 27 November 2024 by daveeldervass
NEVER throw away plastic bottles with any amount of water in them. Respect the local ground water, and offer the water to any plant nearby. It will enjoy it! Then recycle the plastic bottle, thank you. To learn more about groundwater, read our news article on World Water Day
