Stay Green this Summer

Even while you are out and about (hopefully) having some fun this summer, remember that there are still lots of little things you can do to be a bit more sustainable in your lifestyle.

Your House:

• Insulating Curtains
• Not only do a decent insulated pair of curtains help to keep those drafts out in the winter, they can also keep the hot air out in the summer.
• Wall / Loft Insulation
• Similar to the curtains; a well insulated house will help to keep you cooler in the heat, just as much as it keeps you warm in the cold.

You:

• Drink plenty of water - but don't waste it!
• Eat chilled low-sugar foods like fruit, yoghurt and smoothies
• Put cold water on your wrists at the pressure points, or a cool towel on your forehead a few times a day
  

Outside:

• Plant trees to provide you with some natural shade, and to keep the direct sunlight off of your roof and windows. Generally on the south and west sides of the house will provide the most shade.
• Meatless BBQ
• Meat production accounts for around 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• It takes at least 1,800 gallons of water to produce just 1 pound of beef!
• Eating 1 less burger a week every year, is the equivalent of taking your car off the road for 320 miles.
• Go for mushrooms, zucchini (courgettes), asparagus and halloumi (or other firm cheeses)
  
  instead
• Take a re-usable water bottle with you!
• 1 million plastic single-use bottles are bought and used every minute. 90% of them never get recycled.
• It is said that there will be more plastic, by weight, than fish in our oceans by 2050, at this rate!!
• Skip the dryer.
• When you've washed your clothes - hang them outside on the line. This saves energy, and therefore money - and is one less thing producing heat in the house.

Going Out:

• Staycation
• Do stuff in and/or with your local community (like volunteering).
• This saves you money, and reduces emissions from your car or air journeys.
• Pack Smart
• Go as light as you possibly can. Heavy luggage means more fuel is used in your car or aircraft when you travel.
• Sunscreen
• Many sunscreens contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are both chemicals that contribute to the "rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals, even at low concentrations," (2008 Environmental Health Perspectives report).
• Hawaii banned sunscreens with those ingredients last year. They found almost 200kg of the stuff on reefs in Hanauma Bay alone in 2015!
• Petrolatum and Titanium Dioxide are also known to be harmful to marine life - so avoid those in your sunscreens too.
• This is one list of 'reef safe' brands, some of which may be available outside the US - https://www.hawaii.com/blog/reef-safe-sunscreen/
  

Research:
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/sustainable-summer-tips-sunscreen-plastic-straw/
https://greenerideal.com/guides/5-ways-beat-summer-heat-staying-green/
https://www.thelifestyle-files.com/eco-friendly-summer-tips/
https://biofriendlyplanet.com/green-ideas/eco-friendly/21-simple-eco-friendly-summer-tips/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/07/big-meat-big-dairy-carbon-emmissions-exxon-mobil
https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2017/07/26/million-plastic-bottles-minute-91-not-recycled/#4ed867d0292c