How to achieve a lower carbon lifestyle

Reducing carbon emissions should not be left to the large corporations alone. There are small changes and steps we can ALL learn to reduce our own carbon footprint.

Yes, I agree that for real impact it is vital that large corporations and governments adopt different policies when it comes to protecting our environment. But it does not take away from the fact that there many ways in which WE can assist in promoting a more circular economy and a culture of sustainability.

If you are at that point where you want to make changes but you do not know how or where to start, we are here to help.

Let’s start with those simple daily, weekly or monthly activities that impact the environment.

I can come up with one easy list of things, amongst many others:

• The energy we use
• The water we use
• The waste we produce
• The way we travel to and from places
• The purchases we make 

If you have been following us for a while, you will know by now that we concentrate on the first 3; the reduction of utilities or resources: energy, water and waste. This does not mean that the other two are less important and in fact the Fifty Shades Greener Method can be applied to them also.

The Fifty Shades Greener Method has 4 phases:

• Measurement: This is the very first step to complete when trying to reduce ANYTHING. Why? Because you cannot manage something you do not measure. If you do not know what your starting point is, your baseline, how will you ever be able to compare and say with certainty you have reduced it? So find out what that starting point is, what is your monthly energy or water use at the moment, or waste production, or level of purchases? When it comes to utilities it is easy, you can use your utility bills or meters.

• Observation: Once you know your baseline, you need to observe and write down proper facts about your utilities. Where and when you use energy and water?When and what type of waste are you generating? Look at ALL your habits, everything you do daily that uses energy & water or produces waste, so as you can identify areas for improvement.

• Implementation: Gather all the information from your measurement and observation phases and come up with a Green Action Plan. Do not go crazy on this one! There is no point putting on your action plan “Buy an electric car” if you cannot afford it. You could put that as a goal for the future. Your immediate action plan should only contain things YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW. Be gentle on yourself, choose things that are achievable, things that might mean just changing a small habit. For example, if you are an avid water drinker and buy plastic bottles on the go, purchase a keep water bottle to bring with you everywhere, this is an extremely effective way to reduce your waste. 

• Monitor and Report: This is the last phase of the FSG Method, and it is there to help you calculate your environmental impact reduction. Following the water bottles example, you could MEASURE how many bottles of water you buy in 1 year approximately, and calculate how much plastic you are reducing from the environment with this one simple action. The same applies to EVERYTHING else. If you are working with a team for example at work, this type of measuring and reporting will help you keep the rest of the team informed.

As you probably know when it comes to Carbon Emissions energy is a key player. However that does not mean water and waste are any less important.

If you are stuck on how to apply our method to Energy use, here is an example;

Go around your house and check all your light fixtures. In fact, you should write down ALL bulbs that are in your house by type and wattage. Some might be energy saving, some might not be.

Once you have noted them all go through them and highlight the ones that use the most energy. Now, write down on a separate page what energy savings bulbs you could replace them with and their wattage. If you are able to estimate how many hours a day those bulbs are in use and what your electricity unit price is, you will very easily be able to calculate:

• The kWh you can reduce over a year by replacing those bulbs.
• The €$£ savings you will make by replacing them.

This is just in terms of light bulbs, similar exercises can be done for equipment, heating, refrigeration, etc.

I know all this sounds time consuming, but let's face it, is time not something we have in abundance during lockdown? Even if “things get back to normal”, is it not worth spending a bit of time on changing small habits that might result in less impact on the environment and money savings? I think so, and I am sure I am not the minority.

If you want to get started but finding it all too overwhelming do not hesitate to get in touch with us on [email protected] 

Raquel