Ways You Can Be More Sustainable This Summer.

 by Elinor Jeynes

With the summer months approaching and the temperatures getting warmer thousands of people (COVID permitting) will flock to the beaches. It is very easy for people to become more lazy and not as conscious about the environment in the summertime. Many of our favourite summer activities can sometimes have negative consequences for the environment but, with the right advice they don’t always have to.

If you're spending time in the sun then sunscreen is an essential. However, many sunscreens contain harmful chemicals that are bad for the planet. Many sunscreens contain the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate that contribute to the bleaching of corals even at very low concentrations. Coral bleaching happens when the coral reefs are distressed and causes them to expel algae which then disrupts the surrounding ecosystem. Eventually coral bleaching causes the death of the coral and is one of the top factors responsible for the extinction of the reefs. Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreen containing these chemicals in May 2018 to protect their reefs which are a popular attraction for tourists. In Hanauma Bay alone, an estimated 412 pounds of sunscreen was found on their reefs in 2015. Petrolatum and Titanium Dioxide which are both also common ingredients in sunscreen are also harmful to marine life. This is information that very few people are aware of and there are now multiple sea-safe alternative sunscreens available that protect both the wearer and the environment. Some sea friendly sunscreen brands to have a look out for this summer are Thinksport sunscreen, Tropic sunscreen, Organii Sun Milk and Badger Balm sunscreen.

Although carrying a reusable water bottle seems obvious there are still so many people who are using disposable ones. Of course it is important to stay hydrated in the summer but the world is using 1 million disposable plastic water bottles per minute (2018) and more than 90% of those water bottles are not recycled and often end up in landfill or the ocean. Oceans are predicted to have more plastic by weight than fish by 2050 if we continue with our current plastic consumption. As well as this the actual production process involved in making the plastic relies on the use of fossil fuels which consequently results in a large amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. In recent years there have been many more brands entering the market offering reusable water bottles and some of these options supply water and sanitation initiatives.

Another obvious swap is choosing to have your drink without a straw or to buy a reusable one. Similarly to plastic water bottles, plastic straws typically end up in the sea and contribute to the suffering of sea animals. Many big companies and hospitality groups have pledged that they want to stop providing single use plastics and are trying to work on reducing their waste. The fact that big brands are recognising this issue and making a conscious effort to change is a big step in the right direction but as an individual it is also important to make sure that we recognise that we do have the power to make a difference. So if you are offered a straw with your drink this summer please try to go without one.

Finally another simple step is attempting to eat less meat this summer. Meat doesn’t need to be cut out completely as I know for many that is not of interest or is not possible but as summer is approaching and multiple barbecues will be happening (again COVID permitting) it would be much better for the environment if people opted for a meat free option. Vegetables like asparagus, courgette, mushrooms and peppers are great options to put on the barbecue as well as halloumi. The demand for livestock around the world contributes to roughly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The production of beef in particular takes a severe toll on the environment as it requires large amounts of water. Eating one fewer burger a week for a year has the same effect as taking a car off the road for 320 miles (Earth Day Network). This proves that by going without meat and just one barbecue can have a positive impact on the planet.

These small and fairly simple changes can have an extremely beneficial effect on the environment and I strongly encourage you to think about the decisions you and your family are friends are making this summer and how they can be more sustainable.