Let's talk about our home.
Planet Earth.
It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it’s biodiverse.
But it’s changing. It’s getting warmer, and the planet’s natural resources are being used up. The BBC states that –
“World temperatures are rising because of human activity, and climate change now threatens every aspect of human life. Left unchecked, humans and nature will experience catastrophic warming, with worsening droughts, greater sea level rise and mass extinction of species. We face a huge challenge, but there are potential solutions.” What is Climate Change. A Really Simple Guide (BBC)
This month, our theme for Books Unlocked is “The Future We Choose”. We’re going green and sharing books and resources on sustainability and climate change - just in time for Earth Day on the 22nd April! Protecting our planet and its inhabitants is indeed a huge challenge, and it may seem like an overwhelming task. But if everyone focusses on helping in their own way, then together, we can make amazing things happen.
There’s only so much we can do as individuals. And much of the change needs to come from governments and large corporations. But as a collective, we can make an enormous difference, and our efforts can influence the actions of those in power. Together, we can choose what our future will be.
We hope that by making use of these resources this month, you’ll come away more informed and with some ideas on how you can help – your way.
Check out these links to learn more about sustainability, how climate change affects us and our planet, and what you can do to help!
The Problems
Find out what climate change is, and how it’s affecting us now and how it is expected to affect us in the future.
Find out what your environmental impact is with this short quiz from WWF.
Find out the climate impact of what you eat and drink! Are beans better than beef? Does a bowl of rice produce more climate warming greenhouse gases than a plate of chips? Is wine more environmentally friendly than beer? Pick a food or drink and find out it’s carbon cost is.
The world is getting hotter. Find out how much the area around your city has already warmed - and what may lie ahead.
The climate crisis that we are facing displaces people from their homes. Find out more about how it is affecting people around the world.
Documentary film. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio meets with scientists, activists and world leaders to discuss the dangers of climate change and possible solutions.
The Solutions
Earth Day has been going for over 50 years and its mission is to “diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide”. Find out more about Earth Day and it’s work on the website.
A handful of effective and easy to follow tips to help you to live more sustainably and help the planet.
Our individual actions are important. But the biggest changes need to come from our political leaders. Search your local MP and find out if they’re voting for or against the climate.
Keeping waste from ending up in the bin is a great way of living more sustainably and keeping our home tidy. Check out these ideas for turning your trash into treasures!
Want an easy way to live more sustainably? Ever heard of a search engine that plants trees?! Replace your usual search engine with Ecosia to start planting real trees for free!
Find out about the student-led movement formed to raise awareness and send a message.
Many choose to try a vegan diet to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Veganuary is a charity that works all year round to help people eat more sustainably, with information, advice and recipes.
Reuse – refill bottles at refill stations and fountains rather than buying new ones, use reusable cups and containers.
Reduce – Avoid buying new things if you don’t really need them, buy second hand where possible, opt for products that use less packaging like loose-leaf tea and digital products.
Recycle – Don’t bin, recycle! But only if it can be recycled. Check the packaging and your local council website to see what can be recycled. Opt for products that come in recyclable packaging.
Refill stores are a great way of following these ‘three Rs’ and reducing waste. Check out this directory of refill stores around the UK and see if there’s one near you!
Read up on what University of Bedfordshire is doing to be sustainable.
How sustainable is your university? Find out where University of Bedfordshire ranks on the People & Planet University League!
Greenpeace shares with us how to have an open and respectful climate conversation with your friends and family.
A curated list of actions that you can take from the How to Save a Planet podcast.
A curated list of actions that you can take to help the cause.
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