🌱 The Grumpy Optimists #29
Disused taxis turned into vegetable gardens, our thoughts on Boris Johnson's preview to COP26, and week 7/10 of our tips - what to think about when you're shopping.
Happy Monday all and welcome to another week! 👋 🌱
Hope you've all had a great weekend. Today we're bringing you some more optimistic news to kick start the week. Read on for some of this week's topical climate reads, including our thoughts on Boris's preview to COP26, and week seven of our 10 top tips to make greener choices. This week we'll be giving you some top tips on how to shop local and become sustainable consumers without breaking the bank - you won't want to miss it.
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The Grumpy Optimists 💚
Articles to Read 👀
🗳️ Climate rallies in Germany ahead of the election. Climate change activists rallied on Friday ahead of the federal elections to call for Germany to do more to limit global heating to 1.5C and end the use of coal by 2030.
🚕 Bangkok's' taxi graveyard' turned into a vegetable garden. One taxi company in Bangkok has taken hundreds of cars off the road due to strict COVID-19 restrictions, leaving drivers out of work. A new cooperative has been set up to grow vegetables on the roofs and hoods of 300 disused taxis, providing its drivers with food. How cool is that?!
♻️ Humanity is reaching a turning point on climate change. Boris Johnson gave a speech to the UN General Assembly calling on fellow leaders to commit to major changes to reduce the effects of climate change at COP26 in November.
💭 Why does this matter? The UK is hosting the COP26 meeting in Glasgow in November and has been accused of not making enough commitments to reduce its emissions whilst pointing the finger at other nations. The last significant COP meeting was in Paris in 2015 where 174 countries signed on to keep global emissions below 1.5C. We are very close to reaching this tipping point and things could get worse from here. Let's hope that global leaders listen to the IPCC's recent 'code red' report and take some real action! How likely is this? Who knows when Boris Johnson is quoting Kermit the Frog in his speeches 🤦♀️
📰 Interview: The transformation of Greta Thunberg. Take a look at this great interview in The Guardian about Greta Thunberg, how her 'school strike for the climate' started, and how the movement has channelled her energy.
🌎 Why indigenous wisdom is an antidote to the climate crisis. If you don't already follow 'earthrise' on Instagram, you definitely should. Check out their post about the problem with sustainability and how this links to regeneration, a practice we should adopt from indigenous peoples.
What can you do about climate change?
It's week 7/10 of our top tips. This week, we're talking about shopping habits. We're encouraging you to shop local, think about the packaging on your food, where it comes from, and also to shop second-hand where you can! Let's start voting with our wallets 🛒
🛍️ Shop local. Supporting your local high street may be a well-trodden phrase, but it can seriously help cut carbon emissions. Our fast-paced consumer lifestyles have become accustomed to next-day delivery from far-flung corners of the world. Popping down to your local bookstore on a Saturday rather than asking Jeff to deliver it from China will support your local community, but also reduce the strain on the planet.
⬇️ Use less plastic. If you're in the UK, check out 'Refill', an app that connects you to places to eat, drink and shop with less waste. You can use the map and filter by free water refill station, takeaway options, and plastic-free shops, and check out the places in your local area. If you're in the US, have a look at this website for a state-by-state list of zero waste grocery stores.
🥦 Green your weekly food shop. Food waste has a high carbon footprint - particularly in richer countries where unattractive vegetables are often needlessly thrown away before they make it to the supermarket shelves. Companies such as Oddbox deliver fresh fruit and veg straight from the farm to your door. They may not be the pick of the bunch looks-wise, but they still taste great. Plus, you'll be helping to reduce food waste at prices that don't break the bank. It's what's on the inside that counts.
♻️ Shop second-hand. The fashion industry has a high environmental impact. Fast fashion is also often unethical and employs workers in inhumane conditions. If you care about the planet, please think twice about buying fast fashion. Check out Fashion Revolution for more info, and consider buying from local, ethical shops. Good on You is a great guide for brands that are ethical and have positive environmental impacts. You can search for a brand and it will have a rating from poor to great, as well as alternative suggestions. However, the best option is to buy less or buy second-hand! Depop, Vinted, and other apps are great for this, as well as local charity shops or thrift stores. Check out Aja Barber for more info on this.
That's all for now folks! Have a great week and why not send this to one of your colleagues or friends to read on their lunch break? We'd appreciate it.
George, Ella, and Will 💚