At LSE
Complete our Introduction to Sustainability at LSE module on Moodle and take the following simple steps to reduce your environmental impacts when at the School:
1. Think before you buy. Goods and services is one of our biggest environmental impacts - could you borrow or rent instead?
If you need to buy, think about sustainability considerations: can an item be recycled, is it made of recycled materials, is it made of sustainable materials (e.g. FSC wood), is it locally sourced, etc.
2. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Only print when necessary. Avoid using disposable items (e.g. cups) and switch to reusable alternatives. Recycle your waste using our available recycling facilities. At the end of life, or for useable unwanted goods consider Freecycle or Gumtree or the estates helpdesk.
3. Travel green. Consider digital smart alternatives to travel such as using the School’s teleconferencing suites. For local travel adopt public transport. If you need to travel long distance choose train over flight. If flying, economy emits up to three times less carbon than higher classes.
4. Switch it off. Save energy by turning equipment and lights off when not in use. Cancel room bookings when no longer needed. To help reduce the need for heating and cooling adapt your clothing to the season (winter jumpers!) and report faults to the Helpdesk.
At home
Below are some personal choices you could make to reduce your own environmental impact:
1. Green your bills: there are 3 actions you can take to help transform our energy supply system:
2. Eat and cook sustainably. As well as buying locally and seasonally, you should consider reducing your dairy and meat (especially red meat) intake; buying organic will ensure the highest welfare standards. Don’t cook excess that may go to waste and use and consume as many parts of the raw products as you can. Avoid ready made meals which have high environmental impacts and reduced health benefits.
3. Dress ethically. Only buy useful good quality items that will last, avoid items with unnecessary plastic (sequins, glitter, plastic beadwork). Buy second hand or sustainable clothing. Many high street shops and online retailers offer the option to filter on keywords like “sustainability” “conscious”. Look out for these items. And when you are done, resell or donate wearable clothing and recycle the rest.
4. Shop less, spend smarter. You may be able to avoid buying, for instance renting from London’s Library of Things or asking politely through your community (many have social media networks for swapping). Making choices about avoiding plastics.
5. Ethical banking. You may have considered or wondered about how you can use a bank with a good ethical reputation, this list here by Ethical Consumer is the place to start.
6. Garden green! Plant for pollinators, build a bug-hotel and be mindful of garden hazards for our vulnerable to extinction hedgehog friends! You can help by:
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Checking your garden before you mow the grass or light a bonfire
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Leaving out water (not milk!)
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Using drain covers (so they don't get stuck!)
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Opting for organic gardening products
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Hedgehog houses are another great way to help hodgehogs in your area!
For the CO2 emissions you can't eliminate, you can calculate and offset with LSE's carbon offsetting partner Compensate's app.