Climate Change can seem like a big, complex, even overwhelming problem and it may feel like we won’t be able to do anything to make a difference, but we can.
There are small steps we can make to start making a difference today.
Measuring our carbon footprint
By measuring and reducing the carbon footprint of our everyday activities, we can lower our greenhouse gas emissions and our contribution to Climate Change.
Find out your personal carbon footprint with the WWF calculator. It takes five minutes to complete and provides hints and tips for how to reduce your score.
You can also look at Impact, which is an estimator of a community’s carbon footprint for each parish, ward or council area.
Below are only a few of the ways we can reduce our individual carbon footprint. We encourage you to do your own research to find the best websites, apps and groups for you.
In our homes
Insulating our homes is a key strategy for reducing our carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency. Effective insulation helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reducing the need for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.
By minimising the energy required to regulate indoor temperatures, insulation lowers energy consumption and decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.
Proper insulation enhances overall comfort and can lead to significant cost savings on energy bills.
You may be eligible to receive free or cheaper insulation from the government.
Switching to a green energy tariff is a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint and championing renewable energy sources.
The UK generates more green energy every year. In 2022, the UK generated 40% of its energy from solar, wind, biomass and hydropower according to academics from Imperial College, London.
Supporting renewable energy providers not only fosters a cleaner, more sustainable energy grid but also encourages innovation and investment in renewable technologies.
Each switch to a renewable energy provider represents a commitment to a greener future.
The council is working hard to improve energy efficiency of homes in Wealden. Find tips for making your home more energy efficient, renewable energy opportunities and the benefits of smart metres on our home energy efficiency page.
Find out if you’re eligible for a free warm home check – Warm East Sussex – keep warm and well in East Sussex or one of our home energy grants, loans or discounts.
And remember to switch off the lights when you’re not in the room and don’t leave appliances on standby.
Climate Change will have an effect on our water supplies as we experience more droughts which could result in water shortages. One action we can take is committing to reducing the amount of water our households use:
- Reduce the time of our showers
- Turn off the tap when brushing our teeth
- Ensure we have a full load before switching on your dish washer or washing machine
- Use a water butt to collect rain water for watering plants
You can find water saving tips and suggested products to help reduce your water consumption at Southern Waters aqua hacks and South East Water saving tips
For more information on how you can help reduce the chances of droughts in Wealden visit our page on saving water.
Adjusting our consumption
According to the charity Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), 18 million tonnes of CO2 are generated by UK homes from the wasted consumable food and drink.
Using all the food we buy is a key way to reduce our carbon footprint.
• Plan meals and make a shopping list – by knowing what we need when we go to the shops, we are less likely to buy extra items which we may later throw away
• Storing food – make sure you put fresh food in fridges and freezers if you are not going to use them straightaway
Visit the Love Food Hate Waste for leftover food recipes
Research published in Nature Food in 2023 found that a big meat-eater’s diet produces an average of 10.24kg of CO2e each day, compared to a low meat-eater producing on average half that at 5.37kg per day. For plant-based diets, it’s halved again on average to 2.47kg a day.
Because of this, we may want to consider our weekly consumption of meat and the impact this has on the environment. Wholefoods such as beans, pulses and lentils could partially or entirely replace meat in certain dishes to reduce our carbon footprint.
Locally sourcing our food supports local businesses and helps our community. It also reduces the distance our food travels to help minimise carbon emissions.
Find a directory of suppliers and buyers of food and drink produced or processed locally through independent local businesses. This is collated by Good Food East Sussex, and aims to support businesses across Sussex to connect with each other.
Find out more about Wealden’s Food Partnership, they’re striving to increase food security in our communities.
Reducing the number of new items we buy and consuming less can reduce your carbon footprint as every item you buy has an environmental impact, either the way it has been made or how it has travelled to you.
Fast fashion involves the quick turnover of fashion trends, with new lines constantly released. This type of production has a large environmental impact, the fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions, and nearly 20% of wastewater. Producing clothes consumes natural resources, emits greenhouse gases, and uses vast amounts of water. Raw materials like cotton and synthetic fabrics contribute significantly to this impact.
Consider exploring pre-loved clothing options and contribute to your local charity shops. Renting clothes for special occasions instead of purchasing new ones is also an alternative worth considering. Embracing second-hand choices can have positive impacts on both your finances and the environment.
Find out more on how to Reduce and Reuse your Waste.
In Wealden there are several repair cafés open to the public, most are open one Saturday a month. We could all give that item a new lease of life, from a temperamental toaster to a piece of clothing that needs repairing. We can help reduce waste and save money at the same time.
You can find repair cafés in:
Uckfield– Victoria Pavilion, Victoria Pleasure Ground, Uckfield.
Forest Row– the Community Centre, Hartfield Road, Forest Row.
Heathfield and Horam– Horam Village Hall.
Crowborough– Ashdown Junior school, Herne Road, Crowborough.
Mayfield & Five Ashes– Mayfacs Shed, Merrieweathers Farm, East Street, Mayfield.
There are several community fridges in the district which help re-distribute surplus food supplies. A community fridge is a space that brings people together to share food, meet up, learn new skills and prevent fresh food from going to waste. It also helps reduce the stigma of food poverty.
Find your local community fridge on our Cost of Living page.
One way we can reduce the amount of waste we create is by swapping to reusable products instead of buying single use items;
- A reusable lunch box. Pack a lunch to avoid packaging waste
- Switch to a reusable water bottle. Check where you can refill your water bottle using the Refill App
- Remember your reusable coffee cup and receive discounted coffee at some coffee shops
- Carry a tote bag to use when out and about
- Switch to using metal or paper straws or no straw at all
- Use reusable cotton pads and wipes instead of disposable ones
- Use local zero waste/refill shop and take your own containers to save on packaging waste
Some banks allocate a portion of our deposits to investments in the fossil fuel industry.
If this does concern you, then you can verify if your bank contributes to Climate Change using Bank.Green.
By choosing to switch banks, we can actively reduce our carbon footprint.
Support nature
Helping biodiversity by giving it a boost can reduce the negative effects of climate change. We can support nature in our own back garden by:
- Planting a tree
- Building a bug hotel
- Leaving room for nature, a hedge hog highway or wildlife pond
- Building a compost heap
- Keeping our natural grass – no artificial grass
- Letting nature take control in parts of our garden – get wild and messy
- Creating a fruit and vegetable patch- start to grow your own
- Ditching harmful pesticides- A guide to gardening without pesticides
We can still create a habitat for nature in smaller outdoor spaces, like balconies or courtyards by using planters.
Choose plants that will flower at different times so that there will be a continuous food supply for visiting pollinators as well as beauty for us to enjoy.
Here is an example of a nature balcony garden from the RSPB. Check before you start planting that your balcony can support the weight of your new nature garden.
No garden no worries. Visit one of our local parks or green spaces. This can help us re-connect with nature and boost our mental wellbeing. Check out Healthy Wealden to find local parks and walks.
Check out the WWF’s ways to be a voice for nature and connect with others.
Further information and local events:
How we travel
Choosing to drive less is a powerful way to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment. By opting for alternatives such as walking, cycling, lift sharing or using public transportation, we not only decrease greenhouse gas emissions but also promote personal health and wellbeing.
You can also register with sites that offer car sharing, for example, liftshare to share journeys to see if others are driving to and from the same areas. This will save money on fuel and save emissions.
Switching to electric or hybrid vehicles can be a crucial step in lowering our carbon footprint. These vehicles produce fewer or zero emissions compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. However, this option should become more accessible in the coming years.
Cycling is a great way to improve your fitness, save money, get out and explore your local surroundings.
Thinking about making your commute to work more sustainable? Many employers offer a cycle to work scheme to help make buying a bike for commuting more affordable. Many also include hybrid/electric bikes to help with longer journeys.
The Cuckoo trail is a local cycle route through the Sussex countryside, 14 miles of mainly paved paths off the road which is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Opting to take public transport helps us contribute to lower emissions and helps combat air pollution. It can also help with taking away the stress of a commute as you can use the time to catch up on other things. It is often more affordable than owning your own personal vehicle. Find out more about the local transport options available to you at East Sussex County Council.
Flexible, on-demand bus travel, FlexiBus, is available in areas of the district that have very limited or no public transport.
Flying is a major source of carbon pollution. Choosing to fly less will reduce our individual carbon footprints. Reducing this method of travel to only one short-haul flight every 2 years, and one long-haul flight every 5 years for example, would make a large impact on emissions.
Why not look for options closer to home and see if there are any alternative methods of transport to get you there.
Track our journey
Discover additional ideas for actions we can take to support the planet, along with project updates, on our dedicated interactive Climate Change pages at Let’s Talk Wealden.
Follow the Climate Change team at Wealden on Facebook for climate friendly activities and events in your local area.