There has never been a more important time to get back to basics for Christmas, and lets be honest it makes the season far more relaxing.

Pre-Christianity the Pagans celebrated Yule, a celebration of the winter solstice and a return of the light after the longest night of the year. It is time to return to our connections with nature and the Earth we inhabit - and understand the impacts we have.

However you celebrate the holiday this year we would like to ask you to take time and think about your use of resources at home and on campus.

We have seen a lot of waste over the past couple of Christmas' and would like to challenge you all to a jolly game of 'How low can we go' in terms of energy/water saving.

Remember to:

• Turn electronics off at the plug if no one will use them for days.
• Turn down the thermostat if there’s nobody around to keep warm.
• Switch off all the lights as you leave.
• Turn off projectors
• Ensure all waste is properly segreated

Also do not forget you can reduce your impact this Christmas at home as well (these can save you money and stress):

• Turn your heating down by 1 degree and put on your Christmas jumper. (living rooms should be between 18 and 21 degrees)
• Get LED decorations – they’re 90% more efficient than the standard.
• Use old newspaper/brown parcel paper to wrap your presents. We use enough rolls of classic wrapping paper to stretch up to the moon every year.
• Cut up last years cards for use as labels
• Don’t buy too much food and save your leftovers – current estimates suggest about 80% of Christmas food ends up in the bin. More food waste reduction tips.
• Make sure you get your recycling organised, and check local council information on recycling.
• Think about sending e-cards rather than physical ones
• Buy only what you need, and buy local/ethical where you can
• Buy a live tree and plant it in the new year
• Make your decorations
• This list is not exhaustive and there are plenty of helpful articles online and MoneySavingExpert has some advice also
  
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEe2-LGQUyY
  • https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/tag/christmas/

This New Year we know many of you will make resolutions around changes you want to see. We suggest one important resolution to make is to live more sustainable lives; as it will take each and every one of us making a difference to stay within 1.5 degree global temperature increase by 2030.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a Sustainable New Year

The Environmental Sustainability Team