Simple actions for sustainability this week 🌿

Happy New Year folks! I will be writing a new year post very soon, and yes logically it would have made sense to write it first, but where’s the fun in that. But this week, especially for all my people in the UK, there are two important things we can get involved in to get sustainability off to a good start in 2025. Not from the UK? Firstly, hello world! Secondly, you may have similar events near to you, so have a little explore what actions you can get involved with this month in your area. Without further ado, let’s take some action!

Support the Climate and Nature Act ⚖️

So here is the deal – On Friday (24th January) the Climate and Nature Act (AKA CAN bill) will get its second reading in Parliament. This bill includes the most up-to-date scientific understanding of climate change and biodiversity loss and addresses both the climate and nature emergencies we face in the UK, within the global picture. This will help us keep our leaders accountable and facilitate real environmental action in this country. Hooray! Finally! 🥳🙌 You can read the full Bill here. For the bill to be passed, we need over 100 MPs in attendance and backing the bill to pass it. As it currently stands we need a few more to go to reach the target of 150.

How can you help? The team over at Zero Hour have been the main campaigning organisation for this bill, and they make it super easy for you. Simply go to their website here, search for your postcode and see if your local MP is attending. If so, yay! Check to see what their stance is on the bill and whether they will be supporting it. If your MP has not confirmed their attendance, it is important that you write to them to make sure they know what their constituents want of them. Follow the steps on the Zero Hour site to customise the email template with your personal additions and send straight to your MP. It takes very little time and the process is very simple, but the significance of your MP attending is enormous. One thing you can do today – get on the Zero Hour website, follow the steps and urge your MP to attend. Let’s make a policy!

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 🐦

On a bit of a different note, something for your weekend… The Big Garden Birdwatch is an annual citizen science event that allows us to see a snapshot of the state of wildlife in the UK and how it is changing. If you’ve never taken part before, now is the perfect time to get involved! All the information you need is on the RSPB’s website, but here is the low-down. The event takes place this Friday-Sunday (24th-26th January), and over that period you just need one hour to observe your garden or local greenspace and count the birds that you see. Remember to count the highest number of birds you see at any one time, rather than over the entire hour. Once you’ve made a note of which species and how many you have seen, you just upload your results online. If you are unsure of any of the species, the RSPB has identification resources you can use so you can identify what you see. It’s a really lovely annual event to just pause and enjoy the wildlife you have around you, whether in your own garden or a local park, all while contributing to important research. One weekend plan you can achieve – get involved in the birdwatch!

Let’s get 2025 off to a great start with some wins for people and planet. Play your part in the CAN bill and make sure your MP is held accountable by the people they serve, and contribute to important research by sharing the birdlife you see in your local space. Not only important nationally, but getting involved allows us to feel more connected to our local community and makes time for us to just be while observing our wildlife neighbours at home. Have a great week of action everyone! 💪