Goldfinch – by MHSG member Laila Hackforth-Jones
We wish our members, and everyone we’ve worked with in 2022, a warm and happy festive break. Thank you for all you’ve contributed through the year.
In these uneasy times, celebratory over-consumption may be curbed by tight finances as much as concern for the planet. But there are green tweaks well worth making – see the ideas below inspired by Enfield Climate Action Forum and carbon-footprinting expert Professor Mike Berners-Lee. We’ve given them a Haringey slant..
We are delighted to confirm the speaker for our first event of 2023, all welcome:
Baroness Barbara Young, Chair, Woodland Trust
Wednesday 25th January, 7.30pm – refreshments
WAVE Cafe, Muswell Hill United Reformed Church
Queens Avenue N10 3NU
Best wishes,
The MHSG Committee
Cards
e-cards win over paper ones. Computers and servers have their carbon footprint too, but e-cards cut out the energy used in delivery.
Decorations
Reuse your plastic Christmas tree or hire a rooted tree (Christmas On The Hill have availability) instead of buying a new plastic or cut tree. Decorate with LED lights.
If you choose a cut tree, Haringey Council will collect for recycling from outside your home on your usual collection day – remove all decorations and cut in half if it’s over a metre tall. Bark shavings are used in council parks.
Food
Plant-based food scores lowest on the carbon tally, and chicken lower than beef or turkey. This graph speaks a thousand words:
Presents
Invoke the ‘reduce’ summit of the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ hierarchy. Agree present-buying (or not!) in advance with family and friends, set a spending limit, hold a Secret Santa, give something edible or vouchers to be exchanged for really-wanted goods or your time and skills.
Get outdoors
Switch off the heating, wrap up and head outside – if you’re staying at home, is there a Haringey park on this map you haven’t explored yet?
Whatever you do, enjoy and see you next year!
