Great Green Goals: How Small Actions Can Make a Big Difference for the Planet
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Looking for ways to improve your impact on the environment? With plastic pollution affecting rivers, temperatures rising globally, and hotter summers becoming commonplace—every day is a reminder that all our actions can have a lasting impact on the world around us.
In the drylands of Africa, people are working to change this. An ambitious green movement is underway. The Great Green Wall will be a wide belt of trees, grown across the width of the continent and spanning 11 different countries. The project will bring food, jobs and protection from the effects of climate change to millions of people. But it wouldn’t be possible without the actions of the ordinary people working to make it happen.
That’s why Tree Aid’s Great Green Goal appeal is a moment to feel inspired and ask questions about our own personal goals, however big or small.
From shopping less to recycling more, we’ve spoken to the UK team at Tree Aid, to find out their Great Green Goals for the year ahead. Read on to find out some of the ways we can all take action on the climate right now:
- Swap air miles for train travel
- Walk, cycle or get public transport to work
- Recycle your food waste and create a compost
- Help the bees and take part in No Mow May
- Get inspired by climate heroes
Walk, cycle or take public transport
Recent studies tell us that globally, travel makes up about a quarter of the world's carbon emissions. That's why taking steps to reduce this wherever possible, will help make an impact on the environment. Swapping long air miles for train journeys or opting to cycle to work are good places to start. This year, some of our staff have been putting this to the test:
"I travelled from the UK to Vienna by train this summer, instead of going by plane. It took 11 hours but I saw a lot of interesting things and met a lot of people along the way!"
Other ways our team have been making a positive impact on the planet is through recycling and growing food:
"You can let grass grow wild for No Mow May. We saw so many insects in the garden that we decided to keep it. And if you don’t have any outside space, you can write to your local council and ask them to consider this for public parks."
Reducing your consumption
From buying second-hand to reducing plastic waste, cutting back on the amount of new and disposable things you buy can help lower your carbon footprint and stop things ending up in landfill sites or in rivers.
"I will buy less generally, on top of that I'm going to reduce plastic usage, buying food from greengrocers instead of supermarkets which use a lot of plastic packaging!"
Another staff member advises looking into where your pension is invested, as some providers may use your money to lend to companies with a bad track record for emissions.
"Trying to make sure my pension is as green as possible - it's important to check where your pension provider is choosing to invest the funds."
Get inspired by others
And if all motivation fails you, then you can always try getting inspired! Our staff have found looking to others very helpful. From climate activists to local leaders, here are some everyday people to follow and be inspired by:
