This year’s Annual Climate Conference, COP 27, will have been held in Egypt by the time your Barrow Voice arrives. It would be encouraging to imagine that the UK had reported real progress on its road to zero carbon emissions by 2050 but as I write in mid-October, that seems most unlikely. Indeed, the Conservative government seems hell bent on undoing what little progress has been made.

So, it is up to all of US as individuals.
Would you find it helpful to know how your family is faring in terms of your carbon emissions?

If the answer is “Yes”, then I suggest a visit to the Climate Hero website: https://carbon-calculator.climatehero.me

You can use it to calculate your household carbon footprint (very roughly). Based on your test answers, you receive a carbon rating and quite sensible suggestions for lowering your footprint. Unfortunately, the rest of the website is focused on how you can offset your emissions e.g. by paying…. much better to reduce your carbon footprint in the first place.

Most of us are well aware of some well publicised ‘green’ actions (e.g. avoid single use plastics; don’t live in a ‘T-shirt house’ (with the central heating turned up); reduce your consumption of beef and lamb etc. etc. But there are lots of other things we could do if only we were more knowledgeable. So here is something to be going on with.

Did you know:

The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of the world’s carbon emissions? That’s more than all international flights and shipping combined. The fashion industry has dramatically reduced its production costs. The falling prices have resulted in consumers treating garments as disposable. Today the average consumer buys 60% more clothing than 15 years ago, which is equivalent to 12 kilograms per person. Less than a quarter of clothes are re-used second hand and less than 1% of fabric is recycled.

So how can you reduce your carbon footprint from clothing, bearing in mind that almost 80% of the carbon footprint is generated in the manufacturing of new clothing?

• Use the clothes you already own much more often.

• When you need a new item of clothing, think about whether you really have to buy a newly produced item. Could the garment be sourced second hand instead? Eg with eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Or organise a clothes swap. Or visit a charity shop. Or find an online clothes rental firm.

• Choose climate-friendly materials. Cotton unfortunately is not. Nor is Polyester, since it’s made from oil and also causes major problems as microplastics. A more climate friendly alternative is bamboo, which is the world’s fastest growing plant. A bamboo plantation annually produces ten times more textile per hectare than does cotton. Bamboo is not harvested at the root but pruned, which helps keep the soil stable and hold its carbon dioxide. Bamboo does not require fertilizers, pesticides or irrigation, which further boosts its environmental benefits. Have a look at https://bambooclothing.co.uk/ But don’t be seduced by garments made from recycled plastic bottles. Once turned into clothing the plastic probably won’t be recycled further and will, instead, be thrown away. Meanwhile the industry is still reliant on fossil fuels for its fibre.

• Finally, it’s important to choose quality over quantity. It’s not how much money you spend but the number of clothes you buy and how quickly they wear out that creates the carbon footprint.

Judith Rodger

You could think about some eco-friendly Christmas presents

The Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity offers a guide to other eco-friendly Christmas gifts. Things like: buying eco-friendly cards and gift wrap; give a gift of a British tree to plant in your own garden or if you have no space, you can dedicate a tree (each dedication is unique and surprisingly affordable and comes with its own certificate, map and wood information); avoid plastic and waste by giving an Eco & Recycled Reusable Coffee Cup. Or what about choosing the ultimate environmentally friendly present for anyone who is really interested in going green: a ‘virtual gift’? Your donation of membership to the Woodland Trust will directly help trees, woods and wildlife and could be used to plant trees, create a hedgerow or keep bluebells blooming. To find out more, visit the Woodland Trust shop on their website at: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

You’ll also find helpful advice on how to recycle wrapping paper and cards along with disposing of your Christmas tree in an environmentally friendly way