I am sometimes asked to what extent my work on social and ecological issues has changed my behaviour. e.g. ‘what’s my carbon or ecological footprint?’. The honest answer is – I don’t know. I am a little skeptical about tools and websites that calculate such things and give you a score. Yes, we can and should all make changes to our lives, but the need for transformative action can only be achieved with cross-scale collective behaviour. Some of this will require bold governmental action. I think real sustainability will be acheived when people don’t really have to think about it – when it’s part and parcel of “regular life”. That said, I am happy to list some of the ways that I try to reduce some of the damage I do to nature.
I walk to work. Yes, I am lucky to live so close to my workplace, but this is also the result of making decisions on where to work and live. Consequently my carbon emissions for my ‘commute’ are essentially zero. Around town I cycle or walk most places. There are too many cars in the UK and the world. We need affordable active travel and public transport alternatives, not just more electric cars.
Academics can do a lot of travel. I limit my work-related travel. I often choose not to attend academic conferences in person, or sometimes not at all. I acknowledge that this is not a option that many early career researchers fell they have if want wish to progress in academia. Effective options for remote/online conference participation are still very limited. I travel long distance by train within UK and Europe. This is an easy decision as I am something of a train nerd. It is also the case that there are some wonderful train journeys which are – if bought far enough in advance – not too expensive. That said, I have never seen a UK-European train journey be any cheaper than flying.
I have taken two commercial flights in the past 11 years. These were for work. I have committed to not fly for any leisure reasons. I do not think everyone should stop flying. I oppose airport expansion – we have more than enough capacity. The total number of commercial flights should not be increased, rather we should be managing a sustainble decline until low/zero carbon passenger aircraft are available (that is probably going to take decades).
I would not describe myself as a vegetarian or vegan but as someone who typically does not eat any meat/fish and I have reduced my dairy intake (oat milk was an easy switch, getting off cheese was harder and not something I have entirely managed because there are some amazing cheeses). Beyond environmental impacts, there are often sound moral reasons to reduce meat and dairy consumption. I am a supporter of Compassion in World Farming.
It would not come as much of a surprise to anyone who has met me in person that many of my clothes are second-hand / used. I am aware of fast fashion, but it along with regular fashion is something that has largely passed me by. I like shopping for old clothe – some people call this thrifting. For that, Petrock’s Place is one of my favourite places in Exeter. I also love car boot/jumble sales. I enjoy mending old clothes to give them new leases of life. One of my favourite possessions is a 1970s Singer sewing machine.
I am a supporter of local, national and international actions, campaigns, and organisations that seek to make positive contributions to a range of issues that I think are important. A bit of my time, or money can sometimes go a long way.
I don’t have solar panels on my house, but there are other ways you can generate renewable energy. I am a (very small!) part-owner of a wind turbine which is neat, and am a member of a community energy cooperative.