Climate Coaching Action Day 2021 – Reflections from Helen
Climate Coaching Action Day 2021 – Reflections from Helen
To mark the second Climate Coaching Action day on 4th March, Helen shares an update on her reflections and actions since her climate action blog last year.
When I wrote my blog for Climate Coaching Day 2020, I had no way of knowing what the next 12 months would have in store!
The pandemic has been a mixed bag in terms of climate concerns. On the one hand, the focus on hygiene made it feel like all of the momentum of reducing plastic was forgotten with the mass use of disposable masks, gloves and other PPE plus takeout food and drinks with the plethora of disposable cups and polystyrene food containers. On the other hand, we saw nature and animals exploring areas that for so long have been off limits due to human inhabitation and activity. There were pink dolphins in Hong Kong waters, lion prides sleeping in the road in South Africa and mountain goats taking over the town of Llandudno! I also remember how loud the birds were last summer as the background hum of traffic was locked down.
The fires, floods, heatwaves and snow storms around the globe have reminded me that we must not rest on our laurels when it comes to action around a climate.
As reports of these weather phenomena risk an increase in eco-anxiety, I once again ground myself by thinking about the small steps that are within my control to make a difference.
As we have all spent more time at home over the last 12 months, I have taken that opportunity to focus on changes I could make within my home environment and some daily habits. By sharing these small steps, I hope to help others focus on the small achievable things, and in doing so, manage the potential overwhelm of some of the things we cannot change.
- Christmas presents were wrapped in recyclable paper with paper tape. I also resisted the urge to paint print patterns onto the paper as that makes it unrecyclable. I also learnt how much paper is not able to be recycled!
- I discovered a new plastic free / refill store local to me. I decided to develop one good habit a month by using this shop. So far the changes I have made are:
- Ditching tea bags in favour of loose tea which I buy in a compostable bag.
- Changing yellow washing up sponges (which I hadn’t realised were plastic!) to natural sponges which can be composted once they become worn out.
- Refillables have changed my life! So far these include: washing up liquid, cleaning products, shampoo, liquid hand soap and dried herbs and spices.
I can’t wait to see what’s next. I’m amazed at what a huge difference such a tiny shop – no bigger than my living room – can make to my lifestyle choices.
- I have also become a paid up member of my local Real Junk Food Project where food is intercepted on its way to landfill and then redirected for human consumption. For a £5 annual membership and £3 per shop, I have been able to play my part in helping to stop so much food being wasted. Yes, the pasta is in a plastic packet, however, both the plastic and the food were going to be dumped! So I try not to feel guilty about the plastic element. It has also been fun creating meals from the food I have picked up and trying some things I would normally not buy.
I remind myself how, as a coach, I help people to celebrate their achievements and then to break down their goals into smaller achievable steps that work for them. I know that there is still so much more to be done, and that can feel overwhelming; so, by using the approach that I use to support so many others, I reflect on the difference I am making and then identify some next practical steps for myself. Hopefully, the more we share ideas and the little things that we are doing, the more we can encourage each other to make little changes. Together we will make a massive difference.
Helen
