Resolved to only do laundry on good drying days so tumble dryer rarely used.
Oh yes. I got one of those Dry Soon heated airers recently. They claim to cost less than 6p an hour to run, so much less electricity than the tumble drier, even though they take longer to dry the clothes. I am still getting used to it, but am trying to remember to do the washing in the morning so I don't have to leave it on overnight. I am considering getting a timer plug to get around that, too.
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Will you take the pledge?
(187 Posts)I try on the food.
I buy a lot more clothes than that. On the plus side, they're usually from charity shops, so I'm recycling.
My TVs and printer are over seven years old. I probably buy too much tech.
My car is about seven years old, five years with me. I filled the tank when I got here on January 17th, and it's 60% full. I generally walk if I can.
I don't think I can nudge anything, especially now I don't have responsibility for the utilities. I do choose ethical banks and insurers.
Interesting subject to think through.
Forgot the travel. Live in a beautiful part of the world so no long distance hols. Maybe one last Aussie trip next year to see our son and grandchildren. Will plant more trees!
No from me too ?
We are already reducing how much meat we eat, I buy clothes as I need them (probably more than 3 items a year), electrical items get replaced when necessary ( if they last 7+ years then great but I’m certainly not going to fret if they break before that!)
We haven’t had a foreign holiday for 6 years and have no plans to do so.
No way am I giving up my car, I’m the only driver here and we don’t have public transport other than the odd bus!
Our house is insulated, our new boiler is eco recommended.
‘Taking the pledge’ actually sounds somewhat draconian to me, reminds me of Prohibition ?
Largely plant based diet and barely any food waste. Tick.
Only three items of clothing per annum. As long as a pack of six knickers counts as one item. Tick.
Electrical items serviced and maintained hopefully will last as long as the manufacture allows. Tick for me not so much for manufacturer.
Live in the middle of nowhere but have cut down to one vehicle, again serviced and only used when necessary. Will keep until problems occur. Tick.
Home fully insulated, double glazed and using air source heat pump for heat and hot water. Have taken temp down by one degree. Tick.
Resolved to only do laundry on good drying days so tumble dryer rarely used.
Doing our best.
Eat a largely plant-based diet, with healthy portions and no waste
Hmmmm! I'm an omnivore and meat is important to me but I waste nothing; chicken carcasses are used as soup stock.
Buy no more than three new items of clothing per year
Easy peasy! Only bought 2 items in the last 12 months and have no plans for any more.
Keep electrical products for at least seven years
I'm still using my 15 year old food mixer, 13 year old vacuum and 10 year old hairdryer. Last electrical item I bought was a lawn mower 3 years ago and that won't be replaced until it fails.
Take no more than one short haul flight every three years and one long haul flight every eight years
No problem. I haven't been on a plane since 2004 and hold no valid passport now.
Get rid of personal motor vehicles if you can – and if not keep hold of your existing vehicle for longer
I needed a car for my work and still use it now due to lack of public transport in my area but, it's 9 years old and I'll keep it until it dies.
Make at least one life shift to nudge the system, like moving to a green energy, insulating your home or changing pension supplier
Have been with a green energy supplier for over 5 years. House is insulated over and above recommended levels, windows and doors were replaced for more energy retentive ones when I bought this house 3 years ago. No pension supplier.
No. Worthy though it might be, and I'm firmly in favour of us all doing our bit and trying to not abuse our planet, nevertheless I don't want to reduce my life, at my very old age now, to miserable depressing nothingness, unable to go anywhere or do anything and not even enjoying a bit of chicken, or whatever, now and then.
There is a balance to be made, and I'm far from extravagant in any way, so I'm sorry if it's selfish, but I'm not signing up to this.
No. I think that 3 items of clothing per year is pushing it. I think that leisure travel will become a luxury in the not too distant future. Public transport will need to improve before we give up our cars.
You're very welcome. 
Of course they will, but thanks for your contribution anyway :grin:
Nope.
I don't need to.
I'm not keen on all this old tripe being trotted out anyway.
People will do what they choose to.
Academics at Leeds University have come up with six pledges that they say would make a big difference to the environment if we all signed up to them.
They are asking us to sign up for one, three, or six months, but clearly if people changed their lifestyles and kept to as many as possible for life it would be even better.
Would you be willing and/or able to take the pledge? These are their suggestions:
Eat a largely plant-based diet, with healthy portions and no waste
I only eat meat when out, as my husband is vegetarian, so it's easier for us both to eat a plant-based diet at home. I am trying not to throw away food by using up leftovers wherever possible. I don't always succeed, but I do my best.
Buy no more than three new items of clothing per year
I haven't bought many clothes since Covid hit. If buying knitting yarn and things like socks and underwear don't count, I could stick to three items a year, I think.
Keep electrical products for at least seven years
I keep electrical products until they break, but sometimes that is before seven years are up. My TV is over seven years old, and my hairdryer is more like 30 years! I'm not sure that that pledge makes enough allowance for built-in obsolescence, though.
Take no more than one short haul flight every three years and one long haul flight every eight years
I haven't flown since Covid struck, and am happy to take holidays in the UK these days. I've never been one for domestic flights, and only flew long-haul on business anyway, so that one's easy enough.
Get rid of personal motor vehicles if you can – and if not keep hold of your existing vehicle for longer
I don't drive, although my husband runs a car. I wouldn't want to give that up, but he's not interested in 'status cars', and will keep this one until it's on its last legs.
Make at least one life shift to nudge the system, like moving to a green energy, insulating your home or changing pension supplier
I'm less sure about this one. It's too late to change my pension, and I'm not sure how to 'move to a green energy'. Things like solar panels don't appeal, but if something new comes along that can be done without too much expense or disruption I'd definitely consider it.
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