Emily Harling

One of the aims of my work is to encourage people to move from awareness to action.

Most people already know that climate change is an issue, and many understand the severity of the environmental crisis. Awareness for these matters are at an all-time high.

But if you are aware that it is happening and you do nothing about it – that isn’t helping at all.

It’s easier then you think to turn your awareness into action. Think of an aspect of your life where you could improve your sustainability or lessen you consumption and begin to make changes to improve.

Some of the things I did to improve in 2019 were: purchasing a reusable water bottle, ditching single use makeup wipes and cotton pads, refusing plastic containers and opting for glass when possible (and reusing those glass containers), ditching cling film, purchasing a guppy bag for clothes washing (it catches micro plastic that would end up in the ocean otherwise), switching to refillable eco washing liquid, refusing fast fashion, reducing my general consumption of materials by questioning wether I really needed things, getting involved with environmental activism.

You’d be surprised how much money you could save with some life-style switches, and how easy it is to do some of these. They can bring you a sense of fulfilment, and encourage you to appreciate what you have already got rather then replacing things often.

I still have far to go to reach my personal goals. By the end of 2020 I aim to have completely stopped purchasing plastic packaged products, compost all organic waste and engage in more environmental activism.