9 Completely Free Ways You Can Help The Environment

When we talk about helping the environment quite often the first things that come to mind are swapping single use plastic items for reusable ones, investing in solar panels or an electric car, purchasing local farm food and so on. All of which are really great options BUT… Not affordable or accessible for everyone. So, how can you help the environment without impacting your bank balance? Here are some of my favourite free ways in which you can do your bit.

Vote

It’s really simple, if you want change, if you want greener policies and a brighter future, get out and vote. Just make sure you do your research, thorough research, not just what you hear from others or see in local Facebook groups. Read manifestos, follow your local representatives on social media, go to consultations, use Google to find reputable articles and get a balanced view. Vote for the change you want to see. And if you find a political party you are 100% behind, maybe they could do with your help? Leaflet dropping, social media creation, new ideas, data collection are all things volunteers can help out with.

Sign Petitions

Petitions are a fantastic way of helping to action positive changes and all you need is a computer or a phone to make that difference.

Write to Your MP

Your local MP is your voice in Parliament and everybody who is passionate about a change should be contacting them. If you’ve just signed a petition to save green space in your local area, email your MP. If you are concerned about the number of houses being built, tell your MP. If you’re worried about the lack of conservation efforts, let your MP know! No, you may not always get the response you’d like, but sometimes they’ll surprise you, and you’ll never know if you don’t try.

Protest

Whether you join a local protest or hit up a city to join a national one, you being there can make a difference. Numbers are always reported and the larger the crowds the more media coverage the protest will get. Any shares on social media will raise awareness and may well encourage others to join you next time.

Join Local Conservation Groups

Local conservation groups seem to be popping up all over and they do some absolutely amazing work. From wildlife surveys to tree planting, coppicing and pond clearing, toad patrols and landscape restoration, these groups of volunteers are shaping many local green spaces. Most only ask for you to come along as and when you can manage and sessions usually only last around 2 hours (unless it’s a bigger task like a tree planting party) plus they supply all you need to get the jobs done. All you need to do is spare a little time, meet some like-minded people, get a little dirty, maybe eat a bit of cake and come away feeling really positive. Look for your local groups via Facebook pages or your council’s website.

Join Litter Picking Parties

Just like with conservation groups, local litter pick parties are on the rise, it’s just a case of knowing when they are happening. Join local Facebook groups, keep an eye on posts shared by your local council, local MP/councillors, schools, and cafes etc. All the equipment is always provided so you just need to turn up and get stuck in.

Take Part in Sustainably Focussed Surveys

Two of my favourite surveys that I take part in every year are The Big Garden Birdwatch run by the RSPB and The Big Plastic Count run alongside Greenpeace. These are free to join and sign up to. All you need to do is spare a little time to count and report your numbers back online. These types of surveys are always advertised on social media so do keep a look out for any new ones in the future.

Delete Emails and Reduce Your AI Usage

All data that we create is held in data storage facilities which need a lot of electricity to power them and a lot of water to cool them. Emails are a big problem in this because we leave many unread, we sign up to too many newsletters and everybody receives spam. By taking some time to unsubscribe to emails you no longer wish to get, by deleting old emails, opening emails you’ve ignored for too long and cleaning up your inbox, you’ll be making an instant impact. The same goes for AI. It started small but it’s now everywhere we look. We may not always realise we are using it (everyday tools we use on a computer), are unwillingly a part of it (Facebook) and sometimes accidentally sharing it (AI videos) but one way you CAN take action is by limiting how much you consciously use and access, for example, ChatGPT. If you need to look something up, use a normal search engine (Ecosia is the most environmentally friendly). If you are unsure on how to word a sentence, take a little more time to re-write it yourself or ask somebody for help. If you want some home interior ideas, look on Pinterest. Don’t use ChatGPT for every tiny detail because each time you do, you’re contributing to that energy and water usage.

Share Relevant Environmental Posts Online

This may seem or feel pointless sometimes because nobody ever likes or comments on your political or environmental news posts but don’t ever underestimate the effect they can have. Just because no one interacts doesn’t mean they haven’t been watched or read. That tiny bit of information may just be planting the seed of change which could eventually ripple out. Share what you are passionate about, keep plugging the good, show others what the benefits are/could be and keep the messages moving.

So, you see, there’s much more to being an environmentalist than just switching to a bamboo toothbrush. All it takes is a bit of time, enthusiasm, passion for change and access the internet. Which one will you choose to action?

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