Sustainability
In 2019 Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire District Councils declared a state of climate emergency.
This means that we’re committed to becoming carbon-neutral districts by 2030. So what can we do to achieve this?
We’re starting small, with things that we can do as individuals and families in our homes, gardens and lifestyles. See some suggested actions in the section below.
We’ll also be talking to landowners, councils and other organisations about what we can do at the 3 village level to help get to net-zero.
At home.
Energy consumption.
Here, living in the shadow of a gas-fuelled power plant, Didcot B, is a constant reminder of our energy use. As a household, if you’re still using oil, consider replacing it with air source or biomass energy. These create fewer emissions and can be a lot cheaper
There are also many other simple ways to reduce your energy and water bills by several hundred pounds a year. See the Energy Saving Trust’s website for some great ideas The Energy Saving Trust
Switch to a green tariff for your energy.
You can switch your energy supplier to a green tariff. Last year, the UK generated more power from clean sources than fossil fuels. Why not be part of this positive moment in time? Choosing a green tariff is sending a message to the energy sector that the time for fossil fuels has gone and we want renewable energy from here on. The Energy Saving Trust gives advice on which are the greenest tariffs to go for The Energy Saving Trust; green tariffs
Food choices.
Local, seasonal and home grown food are the best choices for reducing your food miles. Globally, the carbon impact meat and dairy production are both high, however, the picture can be more complex when viewed locally.
If you generate a lot of food waste each week there are some great websites for ideas on left over recipes and many local towns also have community fridges for food to be redistributed.
If past the use by date, composting food waste is another option: either on your compost heap or in a worm composter
Avoid plastic.
Consider the materials you buy and whether they will biodegrade. Plastic items commonly found on washed up on beaches around the world include bottles, razors, biros, toothbrushes and tampon applicators. All are either available in biodegradable forms such as bamboo or cardboard, or in the case of bottles, glass or metal. More info at Friends of the Earth Friends of the Earth; plastic alternatives
Also, give feedback to companies that have too much packaging - they might just listen!
In the garden.
Avoid the hosepipe.
Sprinklers and hosepipes mean we use much more water than we would getting out watering cans. Instead, install water butts and other containers to collect rainwater – it’s free!
Be quieter in the garden.
This means using less petrol-fuelled garden machinery. Your petrol mower has a considerable carbon footprint. Consider swapping to electric or get really hardcore for your own fitness and buy a push mower!
Sell the leaf blower and instead hoard the leaves – they will turn into the black gold that is leaf mould if you put them in a corner to break down for a year or so.
Try using hand shears on the hedge and enjoy the shapes you can make! More than anything, enjoy the peace and quiet of your garden (and your neighbours will too).
Grow your own.
There’s no better way to cut down your food miles. Grow fruit and veg in your garden or on an allotment and enjoy the taste, the freshness, and the satisfaction of having your own produce on your plate.
Go peat-free
Peat bogs are huge carbon stores and important habitats. Most commercially available compost in garden centres contains peat. Look for peat-free, use your own compost and bulk buy peat-free online with friends and neighbours.
No-dig gardening.
Soil is a huge carbon store and digging it releases the carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. If you have weeds, hand dig them out to reduce soil disturbance. Using a mulch like home-made compost, leaf mould or organic manure will help the soil, as will sowing green manures.
Plant a tree.
Trees absorb carbon dioxide. If we all planted one tree in our garden this year, we’d have 27 million more trees in this country! Trees come in all shapes and sizes, lots of choice still if you only have a small space to fill. Your garden wildlife will thank you too.
Grow more plants.
All plants absorb carbon dioxide. So, the more the better! If you can grow upwards e.g. trees and climbers you can make even better use of the space. If you grow climbers up the walls of your house they will act as natural air conditioners, keeping the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Grow from seed or swap plants.
To reduce the carbon footprint of plants, it’s great to swap them with friends, family and neighbours. Alternatively, growing from seed in peat-free compost will reduce the carbon footprint of what’s growing in your garden. It will also help avoid the import of plant diseases from around the world.
Be organic, put in a pond and make compost
Each of these actions are the same as those on our Nature page. The pond is storing carbon, the compost is avoiding buying in from a garden centre in plastic sacks and making your own organic plant food from nettles or comfrey is reducing the carbon footprint of commercially produced plant foods and pesticides.
In your lifestyle.
Leave the car at home.
Our cars add a whopping contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Air pollution from cars is also a serious threat to public health.
If you can, make shorter journeys on foot or by bike, if not, cadge a lift or use public transport.
If you can’t avoid driving, think about turning off the engine when stopped or parked. It’ll save fuel and preserve air quality. Check your tyre pressure and remove any heavy or unneeded items left in the car, both of which affect how much fuel you use.
Invest wisely.
Look into where your money goes. Does it go to into fossil fuel funds? Look into ethical banking for your accounts and pension.
Avoid flying.
Video conferencing is now firmly established as a new way of working thanks to Covid-19. This should avoid a sizeable proportion of business air travel for some time.
If you plan a holiday in Europe and can use the train, do! If you want to fly, consider choosing a closer destination, fly economy (as it uses less carbon than business class) and offset your journey with a donation to a carbon offsetting scheme.
Get your voice heard.
Join us in contacting our politicians and councillors to press for more action on combating climate change. You can also join or donate to pressure groups like the Climate Coalition, Extinction Rebellion, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace.
Cut consumption and waste.
All of our consumption has a carbon footprint. Fast fashion has a huge impact on carbon emissions and waste generation. Can we be like the teenage generation and get into second-hand fashion?
And if you do buy new products of any kind check out the company’s sustainability grading using a site like Good On You to make sure no one’s getting the bad end of your bargain
Buying products that are built to last will save money in the longer term and save carbon generation.
Repairing and reusing are great options. We have several repair cafes around us – Didcot and now Blewbury too.