Is it time for the ‘old’ to replace the ‘new’?
You don’t have to buy everything second hand but you can find an excitement in buying vintage, getting creative and repurposing products destined for the bin.
These are snippets of wisdom taken from the personal experience of Southern Co-op’s new Ambassador for Climate Action on the Board of Directors.
Helen Jackson’s new role has been created to ensure climate action is given the prominence and consideration it deserves as well as using the ambassador’s influence to drive the agenda both internally and externally.
With all eyes on the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow and the urgent action needed to avert the climate crisis, Helen hopes more people will look at the part they can play as individuals – whether that is living more sustainably or the importance of nature in tackling the climate crisis and getting involved in looking after it.
Helen, who has a passion for protecting wildlife, makes the point that a more sustainable lifestyle doesn’t have to mean having a large garden or spending hours composting. It’s just about looking at things differently, and knowing that even small changes can have a big impact collectively.
“My mother was of the ‘waste not want not’ generation, a recycler and a composter which I try and replicate despite having only a small garden. There is more that is compostable and reusable than you might think, and there are lots of benefits in it for the environment and for communities.”
Over the last few years, Helen has also set herself a challenge to aim to buy new as little as possible.
“For example, I try to buy vintage or antique furniture which is usually cheaper than new. It may already have lasted 100 years so is usually strong enough to last another century or more.
“There are some things even I still need to buy new, such as underwear but, as they are a textile, then even they can recycled!
“I really believe in reduce, reuse and recycle. It has made me so much more aware of what I am using and of anything which is wasted. One place to start is to plan what you eat and buy in advance to cut down on food waste.
“I hate to see waste but I have also found a joy in giving items a new purpose.”
Another helpful tip is to sign up to various recycling and selling websites/apps which connect you with people giving away unwanted items in your local area. And if all else fails, you can take goods to your local recycling centre.
Helen’s passion for sustainability stems from her childhood. Her parents were avid wildlife conservationists and started her volunteering in her local nature reserve from a young age.
This led her later into a string of other roles which have included: Trustee for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust; National Member (DEFRA Secretary of State Appointee) to the South Downs National Park Authority; Chief Executive of the Campaign for National Parks; and a volunteer for local climate change projects.
In her new role on Southern Co-op’s Board of Directors, Helen aims to support the comprehensive climate action programme that the Southern Co-op is already delivering, as well as to try to add value where she can.
“Something I have been personally grief stricken about in the last few years has been the catastrophic decline in our wildlife populations and in our natural environment. According to recent research by the Natural History Museum, the UK is now among the most nature-depleted countries on Earth with an average of only 53% of its biodiversity left. This is in the bottom 10% of the world’s countries, and is last in the G7.*.
“One of the reasons I wanted to be more involved with Southern Co-op is the causes it is involved with and the range of support provided as a responsible business to its local communities. I was really impressed with the work colleagues were doing through long term partnerships, such as with the Wildlife Trusts, as it echoes my own values and beliefs.”
Southern Co-op is currently working towards ambitious science based targets to cut direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the business by 2030, supported by a climate action pathway of planned activity and an initial investment of £5.8m.
To view Southern Co-op’s long term strategy including its commitment to climate change and responsible business, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/our-plan/.
To find out more about the Board of Directors or to share your views with them via the Talk To Us feature, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/membership/your-board-of-directors/talk-to-us.