Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year but unfortunately, it is proving to be a disaster for our environment and natural world. We are in the middle of a climate emergency and it is important that everyone does what they can to protect what is left of our world.
Here are five ideas you could try to ensure your Christmas is a green one:
- Tree
Many people adore the rustic experience of having a real tree and the process of going to pick your own. However, last year in the UK alone, 8 million trees were cut down from forests and landscapes. I don’t need to explain how important tree growth is for humans and the earth to survive. Opt for a plastic tree – they last for years and many of them look incredibly realistic.
- Meat intake
It is a well-known fact that food is an important way that everyone can cut down on their environmental impact. Everyone loves a traditional Christmas roast and I’m not saying that this should be eliminated, especially at Christmas when many look forward to having this meal with family. However, there are many ways that we can reduce our environmental impact when it comes to eating meat. The past decade has seen an impressive range of vegan and vegetarian meat substitutes make their way to supermarkets – why not try one out? But if you still can’t see past the traditional meal then don’t hate yourself for it – just purchase meat more mindfully. Purchase organic and free-range meats and support small-scale local farms whenever possible.
- Gift-wrapping
It was estimated that the UK threw out around 108 million rolls of paper last Christmas. Gift wrapping is evolving each year. There are many stores that are now selling biodegradable wrapping paper, it is clearly marked with the recycling logo and is easy to spot. Traditional brown paper is also a great and contains now PVC and can be widely recycled. However, a quirkier and more earth friendly approach to wrapping gifts using bold fabrics/scarfs. LUSH have already brought this into action with plenty of beautiful fabric designs to choose from.
- Decorations
Everyone loves decorating the house for Christmas each year but like all of the above, this has harsh consequences on our environment. Popular lights are beautiful but leaving them on for long periods of time has ugly impacts on our world. If lights are a must have for you, make sure you use LED lights as they’re the most energy efficient. Putting lights on a timer is a great way to monitor your energy levels. Tinsel (although bad for the environment if not recycled correctly) has less impact than lights if it is kept in good condition and re-used each year. Decorating can also be a lot of fun – why not try making your own authentic decorations such as DIY pine cone and cinnamon stick decorations from the tree instead of baubles that are often made from harsh PVC.
- Christmas Activities
Christmas is the busiest time of the year, there are more cars on the road than any other time of the year. This causes mass congestion and is probably because people are rushing to shops and malls to purchase gifts. If you do need to visit shops, car sharing or public transport is a great way to cut down on pollution. Why not have a more environmental Christmas by taking a nice festive walk in your local area or even have a look on the ‘Visit Scotland’ website for some inspiration on where to go. ‘The National Trust’ also has a full Christmas calendar that you can access online for environmentally friendly activities that you and your family can enjoy.
