Since starting this blog in February 2018, I have slowly become more and more aware of the climate crisis and my environmental impact. What started out as a blog about decluttering some of my stuff, has shifted towards a greater focus on sustainability and reducing my carbon footprint.

So it was a great start to the year when I found out that I had been accepted on the Climate Ambassador programme. This programme is co-ordinated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce to give training and support to approximately 80 new climate activities this year. I am really excited to be taking part and I am really looking forward to meeting some of the others on the programme and taking some positive action in my community.

I also decided to join in on the ‘Nothing New In ’22’ challenge that is organised by the author and climate activist Jen Gale who wrote the book Sustainable(ish). I really like her practical and imperfect approach to sustainability. I didn’t put extra pressure on myself by including the rest of my family on this challenge, so I just did it for myself. And I wasn’t sure exactly how long I would do it for, but having completed January, I will continue with this challenge. The new diary that I eventually located in Vincent’s Rathmines is entitled ‘One Day At A Time’ which couldn’t be more appropriate!

Some of the Positive Actions Taken:

1. Litter picking in Marley Park on 4 January.
2. Recycled 47 Christmas Cards into Christmas tags for next year.
3. I re-used two postage envelopes from my stash of envelopes to send presents.
4. With the children, we made 4 birthday cards for my sister’s birthday.
5. I bought book ends for my son for his bedroom in The Dundrum Village Charity Shop (Women’s Aid).
6. My daughter and I did a second litter pick locally on 16 January.
7. I bought The Importance of Being Aisling and The Shoestring Club for myself in Vincent’s.
8. Tried Linda McCartney’s Vegetarian Southern-Style Chicken nuggets for a Meatless Monday meal.
9. I bought a Russell Crowe DVD in Vincent’s Dundrum for a friend for her birthday.
10. I bought four cards for €3 for my stockpile of cards in Vincent’s in Rathmines.
11. I bought Mum Hacks book in Oxfam Rathmines for €3.
12. I started my Climate Ambassador training on 21st January.
13. I went on a third litter pick with a friend and the kids on 22nd January around Marley Park.
14. I sent my sister a beautiful bird box, homemade card and Iris brooch (Vincents Terenure) for her birthday in a reused box.
15. I finally found a beautiful ‘One Day at A Time’ 2022 Diary in Vincent’s Rathmines for €1.
16. I bought 8 children’s books in Oxfam Rathmines for my kids to gift to them later in the year.
17. I received more old Christmas cards from fellow Freecyclers to recycle into gift tags/cards for next year.
18. I bought an old game from my childhood ‘Go For Broke’ for €2.50 in Sue Ryder Charity Shop in Blackrock to play with my kids this weekend.

Reflections

I think I have made a positive start to the year. I think by joining in on the Nothing New In ’22 challenge, I became very conscious of my purchases and it made me look and plan ahead for the rest of the year by stockpiling certain things like cards and gifts. So as a result, my home is looking a little bit on the messy side! So next month I think I will be doing some decluttering and I need to think and plan want I would like to achieve this year as a Climate Ambassador.