Going Green Podcast, Video blog and Daily News

  The Winter Rains Are Upon Us – Can You Use Them to Cut Your Water Bill? Winter in the UK doesn’t just bring dark afternoons and muddy boots — it also brings huge amounts of free water falling straight onto our roofs, patios and driveways. Most of it disappears straight into drains… and is gone forever. But with water bills rising and summers becoming drier, winter rain and grey water are an opportunity , not a nuisance. So what can you realistically do? ☔ 1. Rainwater: The Low-Hanging Fruit If rain falls on your roof, you already own it. The trick is catching it. Simple options that actually work: Water butts connected to downpipes Linked water butts for larger storage Slimline butts for tight urban spaces Even a modest UK roof can collect thousands of litres over winter . One decent storm can fill a butt in hours. What can you use rainwater for? Garden watering (plants love it) Washing cars and bikes Cleaning patios and tools Topping up pond...

  2025: Another Heat Record Broken — So What’s in Store for 2026? 2025 has officially taken its place in the climate history books. According to the HadCRUT5 temperature series — compiled by the Met Office , University of East Anglia and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science — last year finished 1.41 ± 0.09 °C above the 1850–1900 global average . That makes 2025 the third warmest year on record , following 2024 and 2023 — and the third consecutive calendar year above 1.4 °C . This isn’t just a statistical quirk. It’s a pattern. Why this three-year run matters For years, we talked about 1.5 °C as a future threshold — something for later . But we are now repeatedly brushing up against it in real-world annual averages. That matters because: Extremes accelerate before averages do Heatwaves, droughts and floods increase non-linearly Ecosystems and agriculture struggle to adapt to rapid change Records falling back-to-back are a sign the climate system is bei...

  Older Boiler on the Blink: Repair, Replace… or Rip It Out for a Heat Pump? It’s a familiar winter moment. The heating goes cold, the boiler makes a noise like a disgruntled badger, and suddenly you’re Googling “boiler repair near me” in a coat. But if your boiler is old (say 10–15+ years), this breakdown is often a crossroads rather than a simple repair job. Do you: Patch it up, Replace it with another gas boiler, or Bite the bullet and switch to an air-source heat pump ? Let’s look at the real-world pros and cons — particularly from a UK perspective. 1️⃣ Repair the Existing Boiler: The “Just Get Me Through Winter” Option When it makes sense The boiler is under ~10 years old The fault is minor (sensor, valve, fan) Repair cost is under £300–£400 Pros Cheapest short-term fix Fast (often same day) No disruption to radiators or pipework Cons Older boilers are inefficient (often <70%) One repair often leads to another Parts availa...

 Food Security Starts at Home: What Can You Do to Help? Britain is far from self-sufficient in food , and recent government attitudes towards farming — from subsidy uncertainty to planning pressures — have left many farmers feeling undervalued and vulnerable. At the same time, climate change, global supply shocks, and rising costs mean our food system is more fragile than many people realise. The good news? You don’t need a tractor, 500 acres, or a milking parlour to make a difference. Small, everyday choices — multiplied across millions of households — matter . Here’s what you can do. 🧑‍🌾 1. Buy British (Even When It’s Slightly Inconvenient) Imported food often looks cheaper, but the true cost includes: Long transport chains Carbon emissions Loss of local farming skills What helps: Choose British meat, dairy, and veg where possible Accept seasonal limitations (strawberries in June taste better anyway) Support farm shops, markets, and veg box schemes ...

  What We Can All Do to Make the UK More Environmentally Friendly It’s easy to feel that climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss are problems too big for individuals to influence. Governments set targets, industries pollute, and global agreements dominate the headlines. But the truth is this: millions of small, sensible actions add up . Being more environmentally friendly in the UK doesn’t require living off-grid or giving up modern life. It’s about making better choices where we can —at home, at work, and in our communities. 1. Use Less Energy – The Cheapest Carbon Cut The greenest energy is the energy you never use. Insulate lofts, walls, and floors properly Turn thermostats down by just 1 °C Switch off standby devices Use LED lighting everywhere These changes save money immediately and reduce strain on the grid—especially in winter when gas use spikes. 2. Generate Clean Power Where Possible Not everyone can install solar panels, but many people can. Ro...

  What Should We Do With Used Christmas Trees? Lancaster’s Brilliant Idea: Turn Them into Natural Sea Defences Every January, the same question appears on doorsteps across the UK: What on earth do we do with the Christmas tree now? Most end up: Chipped into mulch Left on the pavement for collection Or, sadly, dumped illegally But in Lancaster , used Christmas trees have been given a second life — not as waste, but as natural sea defences . From Festive Focal Point to Flood Protection Instead of sending trees straight to recycling, Lancaster has been using them to help slow erosion and reduce flood risk in vulnerable coastal and estuarine areas. How does that work? Old trees are stacked and anchored along shorelines Their tangled branches trap sediment Slower water flow reduces erosion Over time, mud builds up and strengthens the shoreline Habitats form for birds and invertebrates It’s low-tech, low-cost — and surprisingly effective. Why Christ...