Eco audit: holidays without flying

At the time when my environmentalism was starting to develop, flying was not an Issue.  It was mostly out of reach – back to factors of cost.  (I dare say we might have found package deals to Spain, as a family, but we didn’t.) So by my mid-teens, I had been abroad about four times. …

Eco audit: bringing your own food and drink

Back in the holidays of my childhood, if you were travelling – you brought your own food.  Yes, there were service stations, and you might occasionally be allowed to buy a cup of tea. But you had your packed meal with you, and that was that. I recognise now that cost was probably the main …

Eco audit: buying recycled paper

You get through a lot of paper when you’re studying.  Working in an office.  Teaching.  Whatever I seem to do, there is paper in my wake. The paperless office is still a far distant concept, for most workplaces. So how did my teenage environmentalist respond? Buy recycled paper.  Reuse paper where possible.  And when you’ve …

Eco audit: recycling glass and cans

Back in my teens, my main area of environmental activity was probably pestering my parents to take bottles and cans to the recycling bank.  It was in walking distance! It was important! And so on. I’m sure my teenage self would be surprised at how much glass and can recycling has become mainstream.  It’s one …

Eco audit: learning to speak environment

So I’ll start with the disclaimer.  This month, I’m planning to write about the environment.  I am not a scientist.  I am not an expert.  So I am not making pronouncements with authority (although I might reference some links to back up what I say). But I am finding that I want to do something …