On 9th November we had the pleasure in welcoming our next inspirational women, Jen Gale. An author, public speaker with an online following of 50k and a campaigner with kindness for being Sustainable-ish. This is for absolutely anyone who wants to start doing a little bit and hopefully you’ll find comfort in knowing how much you are already doing. Having heard her speak several times Jen is highly recommended.
Jen is an ordinary, knackered mum of two whose life changed when she dragged and cajoled the family into a year buying nothing new. That year changed not only what she buys, but also how she sees her place in the world.
Jen recognised the power that we all have as individuals to make a difference to the things we care about, simply through getting informed about the impact of our daily choices, and figuring out easy swaps and changes. The family are still (just about) talking to her and they live in Wiltshire where Jen writes and podcasts about all things Sustainable(ish). She is the author of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide, and The Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting (out March ’21).
We learnt that no change is too small, why the ‘ish’ is all important in Sustainable(ish), and some of the simple changes you can make to help create a brighter healthier future.
Here are the pledges that some of our members made on the evening. Very impressive. Well Done Ladies.
From JS : I will look at Moving money
From MJ : going to check the ethics of my bank.
From J : Ignore sell by dates just use your nose !!
From CW : When we move house next month (sometime, never) we will install an electric fire.
From S: I would definitely look at where my pension provider invests and look at changing my energy suppliers.
From H : Me and my daughter are looking at changing our sanitary products to reusable ones. We have a few to try out and see how we go. Just changed to using resusable make-up/cleansing pads instead of cotton pads.
From AR : Thank you, I am going to investigate how ethical my bank is and look at moving my money
From J: will look at how to freecycle more items
From SK : Shout about our upcoming energy switch and renewable choice on social media
From S: Will check where my pension is invested Thank you for a very interesting and thought provoking talk
From P: I was looking to buy my granddaughter her first bike for Christmas. Now I am online looking to buy secondhand, or even rent.
From SP : We have an online Thrift shop here in Marple which is very well used. I will continue to encourage all my friends to use it.
From CL : We are replacing grandchildrens xmas presents with savings = either premium bonds or a junior isa. They will only get one small present each
From L : will eat only in season veg
From PS : i always plant any potatoes that grow shoots in my veg basket… I then gets lots of fresh and free ones
From J : Will definitely cut down on the new clothes I buy. I already swap with my sister who is the same size as me.
From RH: I will write my usual grocer and ask them to say what’s in season at the moment. I’d like to eat in season veg, but I’m not sure what’s available at the moment.
From D: Take your Tupperware or equivalent to market and shops – they will happily put meat etc in there for you. And other shoppers see you and will do likewise. Be leader!!
From CL: I’ve put stuff on Freecycle and Facebook Market Place can be really good. I’ve put stuff on there with £0 if I’m happy to give it away and it goes very quickly
From G: I will look at repairing the broken garden bench and freecycle as much as possible.
From JB: we have a Repair cafe locally, which was really well used by local residents until coronavirus. avoids stuff going to landfill.
From S: We are making most of our Christmas presents this year – chutney, marmalade, jam, pickled onions. cards.
From HO: I can pledge to deleting emails!
From EW : will get rid of my emails
From EG: I am a hoarder but will try to delete emails!
From RH: I will clean down my emails!
From P : I’ll pledge to delete emails and unsubscribe.
From M : I pledge to delete emails.
From SB: I try to have an annual review of my emails and I also delete marketing emails more regularly. It’s a good practice to have but I hadn’t appreciated how good this habit is for the planet.
From L : Pledge to delete e mails and menu plan !!!