What constructive choices can we make?
We’ve all felt it this year…searing heat, too little water, too much water (and sewage!) – and the list goes on. Certainly, something is going on in the climate and, as a result, it seems clear that we all must try and address the huge challenge of sustainable living.
We are bombarded all the time with statistics and predictions of doom, and if international meetings like COP26 in Glasgow make little progress, what can we do individually and as a community, in Rye?
But how about being positive about it? What are the right things to do? Already most of us try our best … but can we do more that will benefit each other AND the environment?
Rye is an amazing place - both a strong community and a huge tourist destination … is this an opportunity to lead the way and publicly demonstrate our environmental credibility? But with all the other challenges facing us, starting with the cost-of-living nightmare, can we really do more than we are already doing?
Simply reducing our consumption of “things” is a major benefit. One of the slogans of the sustainability effort is: reduce – reuse – recycle. As a consumer, maybe we should ask ourselves some simple questions. Do I really need this “thing” I’m about to buy? Is it sourced locally – or at least in the UK/Europe? Can I refill it? Can it be repaired? Is it recyclable? Will I make the effort to recycle it – especially if I need to take it somewhere special (think electrical/electronic items)? Can I pass it on to someone else after I have finished with it? If not … maybe think of an alternative, or even not buy it at all?
Then, as a community, let’s continue to push the council for food waste composting (soon to become law), electric vehicle charging points, restoring (rather than removing) well- managed recycling points and maybe projects like long term re-wilding of suitable areas. And how about asking retailers to increase container re-filling choices?
As a tourist destination should we not have a reusable water bottle filling station at or near Rye station (how about it, Southern Water?) and other tourist hotspots? Can we avoid single use plastics in our food outlets?
I don’t think preaching and doom mongering works. Personally, I respond to things that I can see improve my life and the environment that I / we live in. Businesses respond to actions that increase their attractiveness to their customers.
None of this is rocket science. We need to increase the momentum of some of things that have already been started. Then maybe, just maybe, the rubbish on our beaches and roads will reduce, waste will be replaced by re-use, local suppliers will benefit … and we will have contributed to reducing the long-term dangers of bigger issues that may well affect us in the future … such as flooding and drought.
Why not feedback your ideas so that we can build more momentum for our sustainability in the Rye area by making some positive changes as soon as possible?
