Das mit den Regeln ist ja bekanntlich so eine liebe Sache. Als Kinder brauchen wir sie, um nicht hinter die imaginären Leitplanken zu geraten. Als Erwachsene machen wir am liebsten unsere eigenen Regeln. In modernen Arbeitswelten versuchen Firmen* auch immer stärker, auf Regeln zu verzichten und Mitarbeiter intrinsisch motiviert, ihre Ziele erreichen zu lassen. Erfrischende Ausnahme bildet dabei Melanie Johnsson.

Regeln für den Umweltschutz – short and simple

Die britische Illustratorin will die Welt zu einem besseren Ort machen. Für ihr Vorhaben hat sie 50 Tipps zum Schutz der Umwelt illustriert und posted diese unter dem Titel #melsgreenlist Woche um Woche bei Instagram. Zu jeder Regel gibt es einen ausführlichen Beitrag, der untermauert, warum es so wichtig ist, ihre Regeln besser einzuhalten.

Melanie selber nennt sich „crazy plant lady“ und erklärt ihre Initiative so:

I’ve been thinking about how some of us don’t know where to start when it comes to preserving the planet… That’s why I’m starting my very own Green List, 50 illustrated tips that I follow (as much as I can) and maybe you could too? Let’s change things around one tip at a time! I really hope you enjoy the series (It won’t be daily but it will be sprinkled on my feed during the next few months) 🌿🐊🐢

Melanie Johnsson

britische Illustratorin

Tip #7 – Always have a tote bag with you

„I feel like I’ve already talked a bit about this one on Tip #4 about not using disposable plastics…but a lot of people are still buying plastic bags at the supermarket instead of using a good old tote bag. I know we all have last minute errands to run, or think about something we need to buy on the way back from work and then end up also buying hummus, oh and beetroots, oh and that chocolate looks amazing and oh, that and that too! In the end, not everything fits in our purse and we end up getting a plastic bag. Nooooo! .
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There is a VERY easy solution to this and it is to ALWAYS carry a little folded tote bag in your everyday bag, so that, whatever happens, you don’t need to buy a plastic bag. So easy! The planet will thank you for it.“

Tip #3 – Ride your bike everywhere

„This third tip might seem a bit obvious…but cycling is such a life changer! It has so many advantages (speed, flexibility, exercise…) and also clearly reduces your carbon footprint, which is the best thing about it. Whatever the weather, be a bit more like the wonderful Swedes, put on a parka, a helmet and hop on your bike! The planet (and your soon to be super firm bum) will thank you for it.
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Do you ride your bike everywhere? I know cycling is my main mode of transportation and it’s been this way for years (The bad weather or crazy traffic in Paris and London never stopped me. The roads around Margate are a bit nicer now obviously!).“

–> Saskia macht hier vor wie es geht 🙂

Tip #2 – Use non-toxic cleaning products

„You probably have noticed all the crazy labels on most cleaning products: Warning! Flammable! Toxic! Will give you a headache! (Ok ok I made this one up). But how good can these be for the planet and for our health? Well, pretty bad actually. It is time to start paying more attention to the products we buy and what’s in them. I’ve started buying only green cleaning products: they are naturally derived, non-toxic, biodegradable and safe for the planet (and its inhabitants, us included!). My next step would be to make them myself!“

Tip #8 – Grow your own garden

„If you’re lucky enough to have a little bit of a green space already, now is the time to start taking of care it and growing lots of different things in it! Growing your own vegetables, herbs and fruits is super rewarding, good for you (They’re always so delicious) and obviously great for the planet (And also, saves you money on food!). So, yes, growing your own food is healthier for the body but also for the mind, as getting your hands dirty and growing things will ease your mind and bring a sense of fulfilment. It’s a big bonus!“

Tip #18  – Say no to plastic straws!

„I read on the amazing @lonelywhale website that humans use around 500 millions plastic straws a DAY…and most of these end up in our precious oceans (you might think they’re getting recycled, but they actually are quite good at slipping away and ending up in the sea). Plastic straws are one of the most found items on beach clean-ups. They’re everywhere, and they’re truly evil. You rarely need a straw for your drink, so as much as you can, say no to plastic straws. If you really need one (because you like them or because you actually need them to drink), they are lots of wonderful alternatives: bamboo straws, paper straws, metal straws…They’re getting easier to find, online or in real life!“

Tip #1 – Join a beach clean up

„This first tip is for the lucky people that live by the sea (and I’m soon to be one of them! Yeepee!). Joining a -or launching your own regular- beach clean up is easy, it could be a fun day out and you will see pretty birds, crabs and other mysterious beach creatures. It will make you realise how polluted our shores and oceans are, and how important it is for us to change our habits (especially when it comes to plastic consumption).
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When was the last time you cleaned a beach? My last time was in India, and oh boy, that was a crazy experience!“

Tip #11 – Join your local library!

„It’s free, easy and you can access so many amazing books through your local library! And not just chick flicks (although nothing is wrong with them!), you should be able to find literally anything at your library: travel books, cook books, books about plants, sports and everything else you might like.
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It is more sustainable to read books that have already been read and to put them back for other people to read. Also helps when you travel and move houses a lot, borrowing books from your local library means you’re not accumulating them at home. Obviously, you might want to buy one or two once in a blue moon, because they’re new and you can’t wait to read them or because they’re your favourite and you want to keep them forever with you.#
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If you want to be even more sustainable, you can get yourself a second-hand Kindle and start reading everything on it. So borrowing books from the library is not the only sustainable option…but it’s the best for people like me that still love to hold and read ‘real’ books.“

Tip #16 – Take shorter showers

„Having just moved to South Africa, I’ve been faced with how very precious water is and how we take it for granted in Europe, having no issues with our rainfall (especially in England! ha). Cape Town just went through its most severe drought ever recorded but avoided the worst thanks to good winter rainfall and water conservation efforts from Capetonians.
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During the drought, people had to stick to using only 50L of water of day. You can do a lot with 50L of water, but I think most people don’t realise how the most mundane things use SO MUCH water! For example, one toilet flush uses 9L of water, doing the dishes and laundry, approximately 18L, and a 90 second shower? 15L! And that’s only for a bit more than a minute…Imagine the water consumption when you fall asleep in the shower on those cold wintery days.
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Now, I think it makes sense to stick to a short shower! Even if you live in a privileged country where water droughts are not an issue, it is still your responsability to take care of precious resources such as water…The planet will thank you for it! 💦“

Zugegeben, manche Tipps sind nicht wirklich neu. Aber alle kommen so hübsch um die Ecke, dass man sie ausdrucken müsste und einen DIY- Abreißkalender als Weihnachtsgeschenk daraus basteln müsste. Ich wette allerdings „Avoid printing as much as you can“ kommt auch noch irgendwann als Tipp. Also vergesst meine Idee und abonniert Melanie Johnsson bei Instagram. So verpasst ihr keinen ihrer „grünen“ Tipps.

 

 

* zum Beispiel Netflix, mit ihrem „less-rules-more-values“ Ansatz

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Foto Credits: Melanie Johnsson