As a nation we have a large range of leisure pursuits whether it be staying in watching television, playing a sport, practising a hobby, an afternoon of retail therapy in the local shopping centre, socialising with friends or going on holiday. The choices we make regarding how we spend our leisure time and what we spend our “spare” money on can have significant impacts both on our environment and on the communities we live in.
Below are some suggestions of things to consider when planning leisure time.
- Come to arrangements with other parents to organise a rota for picking children up from clubs or activities. This would reduce emissions from vehicles and give you some extra free time as well!
- Try to buy products with less packaging and actively contact shops asking them to use less packaging.
- Consider doing an adult learning course to learn a new skill and meet new people.
- When out shopping think about the processes used to produce whatever you are buying and use this to inform your consumer choices. The more people who buy ethical and/or greener products, the more companies will have to respond to this demand by improving practices both in terms of the environment and the people they employ (see the Greenchoices and Fairtrade weblinks below).
- Camping holidays can be economical and great fun. They also provide wonderful opportunities for children to discover the natural world and learn new skills. Don’t forget to take all litter away with you!
- Remember you don’t always have to hire a car on holiday. Some countries (particularly in Europe) have really excellent public transport provision, which can provide a stress free alternative to driving.
- Air travel is the most polluting form of transport and a fast growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Consider alternative methods of getting to your destination and try and reduce the number of flights you take each year both for business and pleasure.
- If you are looking for a new hobby or interest, why not get involved with a local community or conservation group?
- Take some time to observe and appreciate wild plants and animals. It could be the starting point for becoming a knowledgeable bird watcher or botanist! Or just an enjoyable and interesting hobby.
- Get active! You don’t have to run the London marathon but regular moderate exercise improves physical health and reduces the risk of obesity and diseases such as heart disease and cancer. It can also have a really positive effect on mental wellbeing as “feel good” hormones called endorphins are released when exercising.
Useful links
The following links may be useful starter points for anyone concerned about living more sustainably:
