Play your part

The most important thing you can do for action on climate and nature is to use your voice. Tell your local councillors and MP what you want to see happen locally and nationally, and of course, use your vote. Take part in local consultations, arguing the case for climate friendly neighbourhoods and get involved in campaigning. And if you have investments – including your pension – switch to sustainably managed funds.

We need a movement for climate and nature that shifts our culture. You can help achieve this by talking to others in your social circles or in the workplace, or by getting involved in community activities such as local climate action or conservation groups. As an employee, you can encourage your workplace to develop sustainability plans, take practical action and make public commitments such as signing the region’s Climate Action Pledge, or work within your union to amplify your voice for collective action.

Making your house low carbon, well insulated and adapted to climate impacts is out of reach for many. But if you can afford it, or you can access a scheme locally that offers support, you should embrace the change and upgrade your home. You’ll be helping to establish a market for retrofit and encouraging more tradespeople and companies to get involved. If you have a garden, there’s so much you can do to make it nature friendly: give up the sterile lawn for a more natural, wildflower-filled look, and plant more native plants.

Rebel against our throwaway culture: purchase items that are more durable and avoid unsustainable practices like fast fashion. Where you can, buy second-hand, and if something’s broken, try to get it fixed rather than rushing to buy new. Look out for local initiatives like repair cafes to get items mended, or tool libraries / 'libraries of things' to borrow rather than buy.

One of the most impactful things we can all do is eat less meat and dairy, switching to a higher proportion of plant-based foods – the Climate Change Committee recommends we all eat 20% less meat and dairy by 2030. Try to eat what’s in season, and check how much food you’re wasting.

One of the best ways to improve our health while lowering our carbon emissions and traffic congestion is to choose active travel, ie walking and cycling. To reverse the decline of our bus networks, as well as action from politicians, we need to see an increase in demand, so use public transport where you can. And take more holidays closer to home – there’s a lot to explore on your doorstep.