10 things you can do for the environment and nature
November 3, 2020
This November we’re handing over to the passionate young people who are involved in our youth programmes to hear what’s important to them about climate and the environment. Keep up with the latest on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
Young people have the energy, imagination and commitment to take on our toughest challenge of all – climate change. We asked them to suggest 10 things we can all do to make a big difference to our environment.
- Recycle and re-use wherever you can: There are plenty of opportunities to reuse the containers we take for granted every day.
- Avoid single use plastic: Use a refillable bottle instead of buying a bottle from the shop, use bamboo cutlery instead of plastic and use beeswax wraps instead of clingfilm and plastic bags.
- Spread awareness about environmental issues: If you look on the internet there are lots of groups you can get involved in to raise issues. Even if you cannot attend a meeting, then sharing something on social media can be just as important. But make sure you understand what you are sharing first, there’s lots of fake news out there!
- Stop littering: It’s an easy thing to do and encourage others to be careful about their waste.
- Get out and about and explore your local green spaces: You don’t have to climb a mountain to experience nature. It is in your local park, open spaces and small woodlands.
- Use more public transport: Avoid the car and catch the bus or train. Better still, take a walk or ride your bike. The National Cycle Network is a fantastic map of bike friendly routes across the country.
- Use renewable energy: Encourage your family to sign up to green energy providers. Turn lights off when you don’t need them!
- Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth! It wastes so much water…
- Buy local and ask where your food is coming from: Farm shops and local markets are often great places to find out about how your food is supplied. It often tastes nicer too!
- Realise that one person can make a difference: Write to your local MP about matters that are important to you. Demand change!
Our Youth Forum is led by young people and supports them in practical conservation and environmental action. We empower young people aged 11 to 24 to influence and inform the environmental decisions that affect their lives. Young people lead and shape our work, and we support them to define their own stories within the environmental narrative.
We meet eight times a year to support our team to develop the skills and confidence to lead environmental change locally and nationally. We celebrate our achievements at an end of year Youth Climate Summit, led by young people, for young people.
We are a diverse group from across the whole of the North of England and we are proud to bring the voices of young farmers, young carers, apprentices, and many more, to the environmental movement.
