In the build-up to Earth Day 2022, we’re challenging you to learn about better choices for nature to reduce pollution, carbon emissions, and waste.
Many of our daily decisions on products we buy impact nature. With so much choice, and conflicting messages, it can be hard to know which way to turn. Giki can help you make sense of how you can help protect nature and reduce our pollution, through reducing chemicals, or waste.
The great thing about these steps is that they are often the easiest to complete, and with Spring sunshine in the air, you might find the most enjoyable.
Cut chemicals
Chemical cleaners can contain all sorts of nasty and harmful ingredients that can cause damage to our health and the health of animals and their habitats.
Some products contain chemicals that do something nasty called “bioaccumulate” which means they build up in animals faster than they can get rid of them, leading to long-term poisoning. Certain chemicals can cause damage over time to our health, and some are particularly risky and linked to increased occurrences of cancer.
It can be hard to navigate chemical-free products for your kitchen and bathroom, but there are some great tips on Giki, and taking this step will help cut your carbon footprint and protect animals. Win!
Bee-friendly gardener
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow
Audrey Hepburn
Most plants we need for food rely on bees and other pollinators such as wasps and butterflies, but they’re under threat and their numbers are in decline. Pollinators help support the health of natural ecosystems by allowing plants to fruit, set seed, and breed. This in turn provides food and habitat for a range of other creatures.
One way to help is by planting flowers that provide food for pollinating insects such as Primrose, Lavender, or Honeysuckle.
Once you’ve researched which flower you want in your space, it’s time to get out there, plant, and grow. Check out Giki for more bee-loving planting tips.
Looking for more garden-friendly inspo?
Buy better
How often do we want something rather than need it? There is £10bn worth of unworn clothes in cupboards across the UK, and the average American owns $550 worth of stuff they’ve never worn. To make one pair of jeans can use 5000 litres of water, that’s four months of showers!
We’ve got a challenge for you. A bit like giving chocolate up for lent, we’re going to ask you to try not buying new clothes for three months. Cut out unwanted clothes and save money at the same time.
More ways your buying behaviour can cut carbon:
In this decisive decade, we’re looking forward to the most impactful Earth Day ever. If you or your organisation would like more support to think carbon, cut carbon, then check out our Earth Day 2022 resource hub or get in touch and find out how we can help support your colleagues on sustainability.
