13 ways to take action on the climate crisis.

Date: Monday 18 January

Here are 13 ways to take action on the climate crisis - produced by Oatly.

1. Say it like it is. Don’t underestimate the power of the word. In your WhatsApp chats, in your group presentations, or around the dinner table, call it what it is: a climate crisis. Emphasise the urgency, it could be more impactful than you think – and while you’re at it, sign the petitions, support the protests and attend the action meetings.

2. Make a shopping list, and stick to it. Plan your meals and shop in advance – helping you to avoid last-minute panic buys of packaging-heavy takeaways or ready meals. Planning ahead also ensures you can visit places that use paper bags, or shops that let you use your own containers.

3. Go old school. My grandmother is, in many ways, the most eco-friendly person I know, purely because she was raised to be thrifty. Follow in her careful footsteps: use a washing-up bowl instead of keeping your tap running, keep the windows shut to trap in heat, keep showers brief and never let food go to waste. It’s basic, but effective.

4. Trust in the sniff test. Whenever you wash your clothes, they shed microfibres that pollute our oceans. Scrub small stains off by hand and wash your jeans once a month at most. Materials such as wool are naturally odour resistant and therefore don’t need to be washed that often. Instead, hang your clothes up to air, if possible (side note: do you really need a tumble dryer?).

5. Bank on it. Your money could be invested into fossil fuel extraction without your knowledge – a quick internet search should tell you where your bank sits on the scale from “environmentally sound” to “deeply destructive”. If you can move your money somewhere that suits your morals, you’ll be funding long-term good. Same goes for pension plans.

6. Try tampon alternatives. Minimise period product waste with eco-friendly options – from absorbent pants and reusable pads to menstrual cups.

7. Staycation. There’s a whole world of outdoors adventures, beautiful beaches and woodland frolics on your doorstep; save the CO2 emissions of flying and keep it local. All the cool kids are staycationing.

8. Go vegan for a month. Pick a month and commit to a plant-based diet. Try your hardest to do it properly. If there’s a slip-up, forgive yourself, but don’t give up. Some changes you’ll find easier than others. Could you cut out just beef, even? Or switch out your dairy milk for an oat drink? Somewhere on the journey, you’ll find a plant-based habit you can get into permanently.

9. Ditch the soft plastics. I appreciate that going entirely plastic-free is still impractical for most of us. But stop using soft plastic – which can’t be recycled – and get inventive instead. My housemate keeps all his bread bags, for example, and we use them to buy weighable items at Tesco.

10. Go wild. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, get rewilding: let your grass grow long, build a “bug hotel”, and protect hedges to promote biodiversity. Better still, a well-maintained wall of ivy can even help insulate your home.

11. Reflect on why you care. This is a long journey, and you’ll feel more motivated at some moments than others. Rewatch that David Attenborough documentary if you need reminding of why you’re doing this, and stay connected to the things that give you hope or encouragement. If you feel drawn to nature, find time to go outdoors. If you’re worried about future generations, find time to be with the people you love. You’ve got this.

12. Shop carefully for your pets. Pet food has a pretty huge environmental impact, so think twice before overfeeding them. The sparkliest cat food might also be the most energy-intensive. Avoid de-fleaing your dog during winter, so less pesticides get washed into rivers. And use compostable dog bags.

13. Write to your MP or your council. The power of an email sent at the right time, to the right person, and phrased politely, cannot be underestimated. While you’re at it, ask to be taken off pointless corporate mailing lists. It’s a small change, and isn’t often discussed, but the amount of energy it takes to send and store emails is significant – so make your emails a force for good.

Need help talking to Dad about the climate emergency? Visit oatly.com/helpdad

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