Small Steps for the Environment

Hi everyone,

Lately I’ve been following environmental and nature-related news more closely. It’s exciting to see the impact of small but concrete actions. Things we do in daily life—reducing waste, cutting down on plastics, saving energy—can actually add up to make a real difference.

On a global scale, events like COP31 are also on the radar, and it’s interesting that Turkey will be hosting this year. But I think the real change starts with individual and local efforts.

What small steps have you taken for the environment recently? Do you feel they actually make a difference?

                                                                         

There are so many things!

Instead of using rope or paracord made from petroleum, I collect my own natural fibers and turn them into cordage for most of my uses. It beats by far having to buy string at the store, and I can make it any length or diameter I want, two or three stranded or braided, etc. This is something I’ve done for a while.

I am also planning on repairing my outhouse door which rotted off, with a roundwood gate, using some wood from buckthorn and Norway maple and some dead juniper trees that I am already cutting down, rather than buying or using dimensional lumber which requires bigger trees. I always try to avoid things that require cutting down big trees—our forests need a lot of healing!

I’m also growing fungi this year, blewits and wine caps so as to make better use of the very woody character of the place where I live for the sake of feeding ourselves, and also intercepting local waste streams (sawdust) for food and soil building.

Saving jars and using them instead of tupperware.

A recent thread about making your own non-plastic tarps from duck canvas. I have made a lighter tarp by waxing a bedsheet. https://permies.com/t/225610/toxic-tarp

Making my own glue from spoiled milk… https://permies.com/t/369248/Natural-glue-finer-woodworking-lutherie

Relying on herbal medicines that work, as opposed to depending on synthetic pills and potions in plastic bottles. I’ve been saving many different kinds barks, cherry, honeysuckle, buckthorn, etc… I also gave someone catnip for a cold and it seemed to help a lot.

https://permies.com/t/370143/medicinal-herbs-recommend-beginners-start

Another thing—I’m cutting more Norway maple branches, both for sap, because they shade out all the other plants, and I also am hoping to grow some shiitakes on them!

I also have made swales and terraces in the past, which are excellent at intercepting and soaking water which would otherwise wash away soil and cause flooding, but instead go to feeding plants and restoring our water table. They also work in dry areas because they paradoxically increase drainage as well, and aerate the soil. https://permies.com/t/366576/Capturing-precipitation

Some ideas.
Low-impact hobbies like writing, drawing, cooking, baking and knitting can provide entertainment in addition to fulfilling actual physical needs.
Mending your own clothes, and wearing natural fibers.
Foraging is a really good one. Even with limited resources you can learn to forage much of your vegetables, fruit, and herbs. If you have more time and the right equipment, try nuts and acorns. Learning to preserve food makes a big difference too. I’m about to make jam out of around 10 pounds of frozen wild raspberries I picked last year.
Taking a walk or going to a local spot instead of driving far for experiences. There’s so much to be found locally wherever you are. Also consider
“staycations” instead of typical vacations.
Learning to cook from scratch, and with bulk
staples, cannot be overrated!
Same with thrifting and salvaging household items.
Of course, there’s a lot more actions I could name- mostly big ones, and probably things most Permies are already working on. But these are some of my big tips. And these are things almost anyone can do, and besides helping the environment, can save you money and help you maintain good health!

I have to admit that this morning I invested in a rather expensive bit of plastic, but hopefully the good it will do will outweigh the harm.

It's a piece of reinforced hose pipe long enough to carry grey water to the furthest fruit tree in front of the house so I don't lose all the figs like I did last summer by failing to keep them watered during the hottest, driest part of the year. It's good enough quality that I'm hopeful that it won't have to be replaced in my lifetime and it should go a long way to enabling me to produce more of own food and reduce the amount that has to be brought in.

We also recently made a willow feeder which will, in a couple of years, start supplying nutrients to all the fruit trees.