We are all looking for more ways to help the planet. So here are five hobbies you should start that are fun and great for the environment.
1. Walking in nature
Sending your weekends at the local park or exploring new nature trails walking is one of the best sustainable hobbies to start.
Swapping your car for walking or cycling, even for one day a week, has reduced your carbon emissions by 0.5 tonnes a year. Plus, walking and spending time in nature is fantastic for your mental and physical health. Researchers have even found that people who spend more time in nature are happier.
Furthermore, spending time in nature has made you feel more connected to the environment and behave more environmentally friendly.
2. Cooking
Try cooking new plant-based recipes, set yourself a challenge only to eat local produce for a month, or try that amazing vegan brownie recipe you have been eyeing up.
Swapping red meat for a vegan meal just once a week has the equivalent environmental impact of taking 16 million cars off the road. Of course, you don’t need to commit to being 100% vegan if not for you, but cooking one new vegan recipe a week could make a massive difference!
3. Sewing
An estimated £140 million worth of clothing is sent to landfills each year in the UK. Fixing and mending your clothes can help increase their lifespan and reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfills each year. Furthermore, increasing the lifespan of your garment by just nine months can decrease its environmental impact by 20-30%.
You don’t need to invest in a sewing machine to get started. A basic needle and thread set are all you need. Practice basic stitches on old rags and put your skills to the test next time your jeans.
4. Learn something new
Educating yourself about climate change, environmentalism, and social justice is a great way to be more sustainable. Whether it’s working my way through my education hub, borrowing books from your library, podcasts or audiobooks, immersing yourself in sustainability topics will help give you tips and tricks you can implement into your own life. Even if you are a sustainability veteran, the subject is vast and changes rapidly- there is always something new to learn!
5. Up-cycling
Like mending your clothes, upcycling furniture is a great way to reduce the number of items going to landfills. Start with your old chest of drawers, trawl the Facebook marketplace, or search your local charity shop for a bargain. You can even pick things up from skips for free (as long as they are on the street and not private property). Then, get sanding, painting and creating and see what you make. Youtube is an excellent place for up-cycling tutorials or looking at Pinterest for your design inspiration.