Food
We all need it, we would be pretty hungry without it! But where has our food come from? Well usually from the supermarket, but think about it, how did it get there? Many of the foods that we buy and enjoy have come from all over the world. Have a look at the packaging, you could be eating apples from as far away as New Zealand, green beans from Kenya and even brocolli from Spain!
Most of these foods could be grown locally in the UK and these are the ones we should be buying, cutting down the transport used to deliver our food. If we are buying food that has been flown a long way, not only is it not as fresh, but it has created lots of carbon emissions getting here! Why not take a map to the supermarket the next time you are having to push the trolley for your mum and dad and try to persuade them to buy products that have not come too far, locally grown where possible. It would certainly make your shopping trip more interesting!
We should also try to buy more organic products. These are becoming increasingly popular and are not as expensive as you might think. Organic food is produced without all of the nasty chemicals which are used in standard farming, which is better both for yourself and the environment. Or even better what not have a go at growing your own vegetables?
Try to eat more natural products, avoiding all the processed foods and ready meals which fill our supermarket shelves. Many of our favourite products will have gone through lengthly processes in the factories, wasting energy and resources and destroying the natural goodness in the food. Instead of picking up a packet of biscuits in the shop, why not try baking your own? Not only is it more fun, its cheaper and healthier and it saves on all the wasted energy, resources and packaging.
Clothes
We all love to wear the latest fashions but think before you buy. Do you really need that new pair of trainers or latest top? If you already have a wardrobe full where are you even going to put them? You may be growing fast and your wardrobe may be full of clothes that you hardly wore and now you can't fit into. Why not pass them on to smaller children or charity shops or if they are full of holes, you could take them down to the local clothes recycling bank.
Books / Comics
Where do our books and comics orginate from? Trees of course! Books and comics are great fun, but are made from one of the planets most valuable resources. But there are ways you can help. Use the local library, a fantastic way for cutting down the number of books we need to buy. Most books we only read once anyway, so why not use the library and save yourself money too. You can also share with friends or even start up a book club in school where you can swop your unwanted books. And what about those old comics and magazines you have finished with? Why not give them away to your friends or if they do need chucking, make sure they go in the recycle bin!
Music
The production of your favourite music has cost the planet a whole load of energy. Factories that make your cds create tonnes and tonnes of carbon emissions and then there is all the packaging used to make your cd look pretty. If you have access to the internet why not buy your music online instead. Its cheaper and much more carbon efficient. You could check out the apple itunes website for more information and this works on both pc and apple macs. Or again, why not swop with friends instead of you all buying the same cd?
Lots of your favourite pop stars are in favour of trying to stop climate change too. Check out global cool to see what many of them are up to.
Shopping Bag
One thing we all need when we go shopping is a bag! An estimated 17.5 billion plastic bags are handed out to UK shoppers every year and the majority end up in landfill sites where it takes hundreds of years for each bag to break down. Save on the amount of plastic bags you need and get a shopping bag for life - and remember to take it with each time you go shopping! Why not get one that's your favourite colour or has your favourite character on, it will be a planet-friendly investment!
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