What can I do?

We all need to work to make a difference. There are many useful resources to help you to become part of the solution to the climate emergency, while saving money and improving your health and wellbeing. You can calculate your environmental footprint on the WWF website to highlight which areas you need to work on most. Below are some useful tips to help you reduce your environmental footprint.

General Lifestyle Changes

  • Greener Scotland is a great resource to help you embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.

Energy

  • Water is intrinsically linked to energy as it is required to pump water into homes and to heat it. Did you know that Scottish Water is the largest user of electricity in Scotland? Find out how to tackle water waste and reduce your energy bill here!
  • Improve your energy efficiency by changing everyday habits or making improvements to your home. For the latest advice as well as information on grants and loans visit The Energy Saving Trust.
  • Instead of buying all of your energy from suppliers you can install renewable energy technology to generate your own.

Waste

  • Every year UK households waste 4.5 million tons of edible food, that’s enough to fill 38 million wheelie bins! Not only is this a terrible waste, in a country where reliance of food banks is greater than ever, but food waste also contributes significantly to global warming. Find out how to tackle food waste here
  • Receive tips on how to Reduce Reuse and Recycle with Recycle for Scotland and Zero Waste Scotland
  • Did you know that every year in the UK, over 7.7m trees are wasted due to junk mail? Mail Preference Service allows you to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive

Ethical shopping

  • By carefully choosing what you buy, you can choose products that have a positive impact on people, plants and animals. Find out how to become an ethical consumer here

Transport

  • We all need to reduce our need to fly. Did you know that taking one long-haul flight is as damaging to the climate as a whole year's worth of driving? Unfortunately carbon offsetting schemes are ineffective so alternative forms of travel remain the best option. The man in seat 61 has expert advice about international train travel
  • Using public transport helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution from cars. Plan your journey here
  • Active travel boosts mental and physical health, reduces toxic air pollution and greenhouse gasses. Paths for all provides information for walkers, and the Ayr Active Travel Hub and National Cycle Network are great resources to help you get cycling. Information about local outdoor access, complete with cycling and walking guides and information on local groups can also be found on the Council website
  • If you don’t have a car but need it for certain journeys why not take advantage of a local car club. South Ayrshire Community Transport’s local car club provides electric vehicles for hire and South Ayrshire Life’s car scheme also uses electric vehicles and car sharing to combat social isolation while reducing carbon emissions
  • Take advantage of Scottish Government electric bike loan scheme
  • Keep an eye out for electric vehicle loan schemes

Reduce your e-pollution

  • One stored email is equivalent to 10g of CO2 per year. That is the same CO2 emission as from a plastic bag. Cleanfox to quickly clean your inbox and unsubscribe from useless newsletters

Grow your own

Community action

  • Get active in your community to make change by joining your community council, clubs and organisations by visiting the South Ayrshire Life guide to what’s on or looking on the council website
  • You can also become involved in environmental campaigns through local groups as well as through your workforce union.

Sustainable Development