Act Local – Think Global

"It’s all connected. When you save any part of the world, you’ve saved the whole world. In fact, that’s the only way it can be done."

– Robin Hobb

Act Local, Think Global. What does it really mean?

We have all heard the phrase Act Local, Think Global but what does it really mean? It means that what we do, where we are, has an impact on the whole world. Everything is Connected! 

The simple act of drinking our morning coffee has consequences. One cup of coffee has an invisible water footprint of 130 liters! The milk in that coffee has a carbon footprint of 60 -70 % and for a latte this increases to 80 or 90 percent. Black coffee produces 21 grams of CO2 per cup and if you boil more than you need (as most people do), you could easily add another 20g to the carbon footprint of each drink. And that’s before we get out of the door!

To find out more about Invisible water in everyday items go to We Are Water.

Our everyday choices and actions affect the whole planet. The days when we could be unaware of the consequences of our choices are well and truly over. No one is suggesting that we should give up our morning cup of coffee but we can choose to make thoughtful changes in our day to day lives which will add up to significant change in a short space of time.

Getting Down To Basics

We have all heard about the good old days when our parents and grandparents could live for the whole year on the yields from their vegetable patch, walk 5 miles to school every morning and make do with a few yards of fabric to clothe the whole family! They didn’t call it Sustainable Living back then, they were just doing the best with what they had access to, in other words, the basics!

The question of how we live sustainably while staying within our local natural resource limits on Earth inevitably leads to reevaluating WHAT we NEED to live! According to Nasa, Human beings have certain basic needs. We must have food, water, air, and shelter to survive. If any one of these basic needs is not met, then humans cannot survive. 

Below are our absolute basic needs for survival as defined by the experts. 

Social & Emotional needs:
  • Survival
  • Belonging
  • Power
  • Freedom
  • FUN!

As defined by Glassier 1998
Environmental & Physical needs:
  • Food
  • Water
  • Air
  • Shelter

As defined by N.A.S.A

Economic needs:

  • Payment for work
  • Time
  • Service in order to meet basic needs

If every choice we make is geared towards protecting these basic needs then slowly but surely we can begin to make long lasting changes. 

For example:

FOOD – Support the health of our soils – buy Organic, Local and Irish where possible. Choose food that you know has not been grown with genetically modified seeds, antibiotics or pesticides. 

WATER – No weedkiller in the garden. Switch to non chemical cleaning products. Think about how everything we put into our drains goes into our water source. Paints, Washing Liquids, Fabric Softeners, Bleach, Toothpaste, Hair Dyes.

Going one step further – we humans are two thirds water and everything we put into our own bodies is eliminated into our local water source – It makes you think!

AIR – Protect the purity of our air. Switch to a green energy provider such as Community Power, switch your internet browser to one like Ecosia which plants trees as people use it. Get involved in a Neighbourwood scheme.  

SHELTER – Insulate your home. Use or install renewable sources of energy for heat. Use eco friendly paints when decorating. Buy upcycled furniture.

The single most important thing we can do to affect change on the planet is to start with our own actions.

"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."

– Rumi

Do what you can with the life and circumstances you have. It will definitely make a difference!

It is getting easier to make a difference, everyday new products are coming into the shops that enable us to make earth friendly choices and there are plenty of everyday actions that we can take in order to make a real contribution to helping our Planet. If we all just did 2 on the list below it would add up!

  • Ditch the chemical cleaners
  • Save a ton of carbon and eat meat free meals three times a week
  • Use compostable food and waste Bags
  • Buy Brown paper bags for sandwiches
  • Use reusable containers
  • Recycle
  • Compost
  • Reuse
  • Reduce food waste by planning meals ahead
  • Purchase AAA+ appliances when you replace old ones
  • Switch to a bamboo toothbrush and use natural toothpaste
  • Use eco-friendly bathroom cleaners
  • Use natural shampoos and soap bars
  • If it’s yellow…etc!
  • Install a water saving bag in your cistern

Grow your own fruit, veg and herbs

Start a compost heap

Allow part of your grass to become a mini meadow

Encourage bees and butterflies by planting insect friendly plants

Don’t use weed killer – EVER!

Let it be wild

  • Buy locally grown produce
  • Protest the plastic packaging
  • Demand eco alternatives
  • Don’t be afraid to complain, again and again
  • Recycle clothing
  • Support your local charity shops
  • Demand a refill service
  • Buy what you need
  • Eat before you go food shopping
  • When you can, walk, cycle, use public transport and share lifts
  • Air dry your clothes washing in warmer months
  • Make do and mend!
  • Use stainless steel drinking bottles and straws
  • Carry a reusable coffee cup and cutlery when out and about
  • Switch to a green energy provider
  • Use a green search engine

Have Any Eco Tips? – Let Us Know

We would love to hear your tips for eco friendly living in the home and beyond. Perhaps you have a special green cleaning technique, or a recipe for using food waste. Maybe you have found a life changing green product. Get in touch and we will post your tips and experiences above and/or on our Green Blog (a sustainable lifestyle & news blog for Offaly).