The year of positive change! A belated Happy New Year to all of you!! I hope you all enjoyed the holidays, and the first weeks of 2020 have been good for you. For Courtney, the year has had a rocky start. The devastating fires in Australia have been keeping all of our minds occupied. Thankfully rain is on its way, and hopefully the fires will be under control soon. But the destruction has taken place and the wake-up call has been heard and noted. We have to act now! Let's make 2020 the year of positive change. Simple changes can be made on a personal level. Maybe, after reading this newsletter, we can all take a bit of time to act or reflect? Here are some ideas you can start thinking about: 1. Let's try to drive less! Walking or using a bike are better for our health as well as our planet. Taking public transport is fun! Or drive electric. Fly less: have your meetings virtual and go somewhere local for your holidays. Or take the train, instead of the plane! 2. Eat local and seasonal. Become a flexitarian (or even better, a vegetarian). Eating less animal proteins has a direct impact on your carbon footprint. 3. Repair, re-use, recycle and refuse. If you can, shop responsibly (ethical, green and sustainable). Respect what you already have, mend, pass on to others. 4. Replace fossil fuels (oil, carbon, natural gas) with renewable energy sources. Switch to a 'green' energy provider, perhaps install solar panels. Be more energy efficient. Turn the heating down a notch, wear woollens and blankets to stay warm. 5. If you have funds, invest them wisely. (Not in companies related to the fossil fuel industry, for example, but in 'clean' organisations instead.) When it's time to vote, vote! And vote wisely. Don't feel that one person or one family can not make a difference. Social scientists have discovered that if we see our peers take environmental action, we adjust our beliefs and actions accordingly. So it's worth the effort! Thanks as always for following and reading. xxx Esther
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