“learn from the mistakes of the past and look to the year ahead and our very real opportunity to make a change”

As we enter into a new decade I wish for 2020 to be a brilliantly wonderful year for all. We’ve all lived through the last one so I’m not going to chat about 2019s messy oddness with grey haired men in charge of our future and our continued climate battle. Instead I’m going to learn from the mistakes of the past and look to the year ahead and our very real opportunity to make a change. 

“Climate change is happening, whether we choose to ‘believe’ the science or not, the reality is here”

Climate change is happening, whether we choose to ‘believe’ the science or not, the reality is here. Our earth’s changing climate patterns are transforming as predicted and the time for ignorance is very much over. 

By 1979 we knew all that we know about the science of climate change as we do now. Our leaders knew what was happening, why it’s happening, and how exactly we need to stop it. Over the last decade, we had the opportunity to stop it. But, we didn’t.

“We have reached the point of no return”

Simply put, when we burn fossil fuels and destroy forests, we release carbon dioxide into the air. Our cattle, rice fields and landfills release methane as well which adds to the warm air. We have know about this for years and had in place many options to solve it, we know how to stop it. In the past opportunities have been missed, warnings have been ignored and scientists have been laughed out of politicians rooms. We have reached the point of no return.

We need world leaders to put the planet before profit and make the change that needs to happen. In years past we came so close to our world leaders coming together to sign binding treaties which would have saved us, but with every opportunity our climate hero’s came close too, every opportunity was missed.

But, it’s not about us blaming the past decade nor angry at the last generation, it’s focusing this anger and pushing it into Call for Action motivation instead. It’s what we can do now, it’s how we can fix our earth which is important. 

New Year is centred around our new year resolutions, how we can change and improve. Maybe it’s our weight (I certainly ate far too much this festive period) or maybe it’s buying less single use product, supporting do-good companies and giving up plastic. Whatever it is, this is now our decade to stop climate change and what we can and must do before it's truly too late.

“this is now our decade to stop climate change and what we can and must do before it's truly too late”

I’ve written a few easy tips for us all to make a difference this 2020;

1.     KNOW YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. This past year by travelling by train instead of by car I reduced my carbon emissions by approx. 85%. A lot of companies such as trainline let you monitor your carbon footprint. Some of you like me are not in a position to stop travelling especially for work, however, knowing our carbon footprint means we can improve it and opt for less carbon options. 

2.     LESS MEAT. BETTER MEAT. Some of you may plan to cut meat out of your diet all together, I personally couldn’t give up meat so instead of cutting it out I opt for less meat and when I do eat meat its good quality meat from a butcher. This doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune of one piece of steak, but it does mean paying attention to where that meat comes from.

3.     DON’T THROW AWAY CLOTHING. It’s not about not buying clothes at all, and I’m not saying this just because we’re a fashion brand. We still need to keep our economy turning and fashion is a huge money maker for countries and for individuals in the supply chain. However, it’s what we do with our clothing after we’ve worn it which is a big issue. Instead of throwing away after one wear, reuse, fix if broken, or give to a friend if it doesn’t fit. Worse case, donate, but never throw clothes in the bin.

4.     SUPPORT CHARITIES. For our world to be better we need people to help each other and our environment. This old saying of ‘charity starts at home’ is only true if you refer to ‘home’ as our earth. We all need to thrive if we want the world to prosper. Support a charity this year and make a difference.

5.     BUY FROM COMPANIES THAT HAVE A MORAL COMPASS. By purchasing anything from anywhere you are casting a vote as to how you want our world to be. If you buy from companies who condone slave labour, unsustainable practices and unfair wages, then you yourself are essentially condoning this behaviour. Make a stand and buy from companies who believe in what you believe in. As consumers you have no idea how much of a huge impact you can make.

 Wishing you all a wonderful New Year!!!!

All the love

Frankie xx