Going Green – Let’s go green for the Queen with our Jubilee celebrations Bedford News

Last article by Angela Terry

Angela Terry, green activist and consumer expert, separates climate change fact from fiction and explains here how you can take simple, practical steps to help save the planet. Follow @ouronehome and visit https://onehome.org.uk/ for more advice.

Her Majesty has broken with tradition to say how ‘irritated’ she is with people who talk about climate action without taking it, so it makes sense to consider the planet as she celebrates 70 years of her rule.

As people gear up for street parties all over the country, there are plenty of ways to make your own event more sustainable.

When it comes to catering for many people on the go, it’s all too easy to buy a load of disposable plates and cups and plastic cutlery.

If possible, try to avoid this.

Ask everyone to bring enough bowls, plates, cups and cutlery for their own household.#

In addition to saving money, it will reduce the number of garbage bags at the end.

As soon as you see a balloon, you think of celebration and fun.

Unfortunately, the truth is that they are not kind to the planet.

Many manufacturers market balloons made of rubber or latex – derived from the sap of tropical trees – as “eco-friendly” or “natural”.

But they still don’t biodegrade easily.

Australian scientists have discovered that they are incredibly slow to break down and pollute the natural world by laying a

serious risk to the health of birds and other wild animals.

When it comes to bunting, it’s best to avoid the ready-made plastic variety.

If there are children coming to you, get them together to make their own garland using a clothesline, scrap paper and also markers or paints.

It will mean so much more than anything the store bought.

Try to avoid salads prepared in advance and ready meals wrapped in plastic.

For catering, organize a potluck where each household brings a dish for a buffet.

In the UK we throw away 6.5 million tonnes of food every year, of which 4.5 million tonnes are still edible.

It’s also a huge amount of unnecessary carbon emissions.

Have plenty of jars and containers of jam handy, so people can take leftovers home.

It’s a good idea to organize large bins for your event and have them clearly marked, indicating which ones are for glass, paper or other waste.

This way recycling should be separated in the right way for your local council.

Have a group of you take charge of the cleanup to ensure all rubbish is disposed of properly and the street is left clean and tidy.

Good Morning Britain weather expert Laura Tobin has written a fabulous book called Everyday Ways to Save our Planet.

With over 200 practical tips on things you can do to go green, it also explains the climate crisis in a clear and accessible way.

The book begins with a letter the TV weatherman wrote to her four-year-old daughter, apologizing that things have been so bad, but with hope for the future if we all do our part. .

Replace the beef burger with a vegan one.

Meat products are linked to deforestation.

They also have a larger carbon footprint than their meatless counterparts.

New generation of plant-based burgers now widely available, try Moving Mountains or Tesco’s own version.

Staying in the shade, wearing hats and covering up are great ways to avoid sun damage.

But as the world heats up and heat waves become common in the UK, we’re all going to be using more sunscreen.

When it comes to skin cancer and ageing, the dangers of the sun’s rays compel us to follow the Australian advice “Slip, Slop, Slap”.

That is, put on a shirt, put on sunscreen and bang on a hat.

Unfortunately, many typical sunscreen ingredients are bad for the planet.

Here are my tips to help you choose the most sustainable options:

There are two types of sunscreen: chemical and mineral.

Most of the sunscreens you buy in supermarkets and pharmacies are chemical based.

This type of sunscreen works by absorbing the sun’s UV light into the skin.

It then uses a chemical reaction to turn it into heat and release it.

On the other hand, mineral sunscreens sit on the surface of the skin and physically block the sun’s rays.

Usually based on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, they are better for the environment.

You must turn off a light each time you leave a room.

Why pay to light an empty room and waste energy?

The average household could save £20 a year just by making everyone turn off the light when leaving a room.

The main problem with chemical sunscreens is that their ingredients pollute the seas and waterways, harming fish and marine life.

They are banned in Hawaii due to the damage they have inflicted on coral reefs, fish, sea urchins and seals.

Thailand has also banned their use in all of its marine parks. This is why you see sunscreens marked “reef safe”.

Even if you are not swimming in a tropical sea where there are coral reefs, it is better to opt for a mineral sunscreen.

Chemical sunscreens are damaging marine life – including dolphins and turtles – in all kinds of seas, including the Mediterranean.

The chemicals also end up in our own water system when we wash them at home.

As it stands, the term “reef safe” is unregulated.

So, when buying sunscreen, the thing to do is look at the ingredient list.

Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the things you most want to avoid.

In terms of eco-responsible products, Organii offers sunscreens suitable for families, children and sensitive skin.

On the high street, Holland & Barret has banned chemical sunscreens and its own brand is both pocket-friendly and planet-friendly.

Alternatively, look for Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Milk.

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