5 things we can each do about the climate crisis

Katie is wearing a navy, white and red statement polkadot maxi dress with spaghetti straps and an open back. The photos have been taken in Kew Gardens on a sunny day and she's surrounded by plants.

You know this wild weather we’ve all been experiencing? You wouldn’t be wrong for thinking it wasn’t always this way.

Heavy downpours have become more common since the 1950s, when global warming started to intensify. As the climate warms, the atmosphere can hold and release more moisture, resulting in the torrential downpours that are on the rise around the world. (Global and Regional Increase of Precipitation Extremes Under Global Warming published in Water Resources Research, 2019)

The IPCC recently found we only have 11 years to basically stop the climate apocalypse. And with that timeline many environmental groups are coming to the same conclusion: the time for making incremental changes to save us from extinction has passed. It’s time for us all to take drastic action.

So what are some practical steps we can try to take?

1. Electricity: try to use renewable, or use less when you can. For example, do you need the air conditioning on all day, or could you make do without it for a little while? Do you need to turn the light on, or are you OK without for a bit?

2. Agriculture: yes eating a vegan diet can support a lower carbon footprint, but not all swaps are sustainable. Prioritise locally sourced & in-season foods that haven’t been flown around the world. If you continue eating animal products, opt for less often and locally sourced.

3. Packaging: consider what realistically happens to these materials at the end of their life as packaging. Even if they’re recyclable, we now know not all recyclables get recycled because they’re not profitable. Try to choose more zero-waste, glass, metal and clear or white plastic packaging.

4. Transportation: cars account for less than 50% of transport-related emissions; more come from airplanes, cargo ships, and trucks. Right now we don’t have practical zero-carbon options for any of these. So when it’s possible try to walk, cycle, or take advantage of public transport. And if you travel frequently for work or pleasure, try to swap the flights for train journeys – or skip the travel all together.

5. Buildings: it takes a lot of energy to run air con, heaters, lights, and other appliances. If you’re a renter (like me) we don’t always have complete control over this, but if you’re a homeowner things like more-efficient windows and insulation would help.

Dress: 2018
Bag: 2017
Shoes: 2018
Bracelet: 2015 / 2016

Much love, Katie xo