New Years Resolutions for a Planet Positive 2022

TIPS FOR A PLANET POSITIVE 2022

The New Year is slowly approaching, and many of us are reflecting on 2021 and re-evaluating our lifestyle choices. The New Year is the perfect time to set new goals and targets, however big or small.

According to recent data, 23 million Brits set New Year’s resolutions in 2021, but despite good intentions, on average, people only managed to keep to their New Year’s resolutions for seven weeks.

With the very poignant COP26 and William’s Earthshot Prize, 2021 has also shown that we must do all we can to protect and give back to our wonderful big blue and look to making changes to help our planet one day at a time. 

Avallen, the planet-positive calvados brand, shares some New Year’s resolutions you can set for 2022 to help combat the climate crisis and start the year off by making positive environmental lifestyle changes, without feeling totally overwhelmed:

1.    Drink Sustainably

If you don’t want to go cold turkey this Dry January, why not switch up your go-to tipple? Avallen’s sustainable spirit is so good for the planet that it actively removes 2.73kg of CO2 from the Earth with every bottle. The perfect delicious guilt-free tipple that won’t give the planet a hangover!

2.    Composting

Recycling your food is easy, and organic matter is great for your garden! You can grab a composting bin online from an ethical retailer and use this to collect food waste, which can then be recycled in your garden. Your garden, all the little bugs and the bees will love you for it!

3.    Welcome and nurture wildlife

It’s essential that we all play our part in preserving biodiversity, and do more to preserve wildlife, whether it’s in your garden or on a balcony. From filling up your bird feeder, fitting bee bricks to your exterior or adding late flowering plants, there are a variety of things we can do, no matter how big or small, to support our furry friends.

4.    Reduce your meat consumption

Many of us have become aware of how meat production is negatively contributing to the climate crisis, with citizens across the world changing their diets to become more sustainable. Why not take part in the Veganuary campaign, or look to minimise the amount of meat in your diet to help tackle the ecological crisis?

5.    Use your voice

Now more than ever, it is vital that we wield our power as citizens to influence environmental change to save our planet. Get involved with environmental organisations who are influencing policy, write to your local MP and let them know the environmental issues that matter to you so your voice can be heard. Why not get your family and friends on board with your new eco lifestyle swaps too, to influence your nearest and dearest to do their part for the planet.

6.    Take the scenic route

Instead of driving to every destination you visit, switch up your commute and try increasing your public transport use. Whether it’s getting the train, tram, cycling, carpooling or walking, you can explore new routes and the planet will thank you at the same time. Only use your car when you absolutely have to. If you travel frequently and have the option to, you could look at swapping high-polluting planes for relaxing trains that offer scenic views.

7.    Limit your wardrobe

The textile industry plays a detrimental part in the climate crisis, emitting billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. Look to curate a capsule wardrobe that has you covered for all seasons and minimises the need to buy unnecessary new clothing. Why not attend clothes swaps where you can exchange unwanted items that can be repurposed -without hurting the planet.

8.    Support sustainable brands

There is a wide selection of sustainable brands out there to choose from who are leading the way for environmental change. From interior paint to planet-positive spirits, there’s a wide range to choose from, and by purchasing items from brands that care about the planet and are bettering their business with eco-friendly practices you’ll be doing your part for the planet.

For more information about Avallen Spirits, please visit: https://avallenspirits.com/ 

Make ‘Walk All Over Cancer’ your New Year’s resolution

Edinburgh residents are being challenged to kick start the New Year by taking steps to support Cancer Research UK. The charity is urging people to sign up now to Walk All Over Cancer and get sponsored to walk 10,000 steps every day in March.

By raising vital funds, people across Scotland could help to further life-saving research – while burning off any excess Christmas calories.

As well as increasing fitness and helping towards a healthy body weight, taking part could take a little weight off the mind too. Regular walking is a great stress-reliever and can help with mental wellbeing by improving mood and sleep.

Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Scotland, said: “One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime*, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. That’s why we’re urging people to play their part by making ‘Walk All Over Cancer’ their New Year’s resolution.

“We all hope that 2022 has a more positive outlook. So why not give yourself a boost by committing to get more active and having an achievable goal to aim for – all in aid of a good cause.

“There’s plenty of time for supporters to start building up to the challenge in March and planning new ways to fit in some extra steps, especially if you’re struggling to hit your daily step count when working from home.

“Sticking to a resolution can be hard, especially through the cold, dark winter months, but registering now and making a public pledge to take part in the Spring, could help people steel their resolve. Plus, there’s the ultimate motivation of knowing every step you take will be helping to save lives.”

Based on the average person’s strides, 10,000 steps is equal to about five miles, so by the end of March participants will have clocked up more than 150 miles.

That’s quite a challenge for some, but adopting small changes that you can stick to can really add up – whether it’s doing conference calls on the go, exploring local beauty spots or treating the dog to a month of extra-long walks.

Keeping check on the number of steps taken each day is a great way to create a sense of achievement and it’s easy to do with smartphone apps, pedometers and wearable activity trackers available to help. Walk All Over Cancer participants can connect their online giving page with FitBit to automatically publish their step count and share their progress with their supporters throughout the month.

The charity’s researchers at the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, on Crewe Road South, have expertise in brain tumour research and their goal is to drive progress in tackling this hard-to-treat disease.

Images of walking feet for the CRUK’s “Walk all over Cancer” event. Photography by Danny Fitzpatrick www.dfphotography.co.uk danny@dfphotography.co.uk +44 (0) 7779 606901

Linda added: “Cancer Research UK has been hit hard by COVID-19, but we will never stop striving to create better treatments. With around 33,200 people diagnosed every year in Scotland**, cancer is as urgent an issue now as it’s ever been.

“We need as many people as possible to Walk All Over Cancer, because the progress we make in the fight against the disease relies on every step, every pound and every person.

“This past year proves, more than any other, the value of research and what can be achieved together. Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer.”

Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £30 million in Scotland last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research. The charity’s ambition is to see three in four people survive their cancer by 2034.

To sign up and receive a free fundraising pack and t-shirt, visit cruk.org/walkallover.

Start strong this New Year

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Start strong this January: fitness event at Commonwealth Pool

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