Kids, staying cool and saving water

Welcome to our Green Steps bulletin – this month our green steps are around encouraging kids to get involved in climate action, keeping your home cool in summer and saving water. We hope you find them useful.

P.S. If you’re involved in a community group, don’t forget that funding is available for climate-related projects through the Community Climate Action Fund and Grow Up! Community Fund.

Green tips for kids

Kids are increasingly conscious of our impact on the planet, and will look for things they can do which will make a difference.

They might be interested in signing up to join Young ACAN or Young PeCAN.  

National Geographic Kids has a page of tips for young people who want to protect the environment.

Everybody be cool

With temperatures hitting as high as 34.8 degrees in recent weeks it’s hard to know how to keep your home cool in the sweltering heat.

The Energy Saving Trust has produced tips on keeping cool this summer. Some options will cost money and (unless you’re powering them through solar panels) will have the associated carbon impact. However, there are things you can do for free, like opening windows when the air is cool outside and closing blinds and curtains to stop the sun heating the inside of your house, which can make a big difference.

Save water

Water is a precious resource – but it can’t be taken for granted. Climate change, and the more extreme weather that comes with it, means that water supply is becoming more unpredictable than in years gone by.

Your water company can probably provide you with water saving kit like cistern bags (which reduce the amount of water used when you flush the loo) or water efficient shower heads.

The Ofwat website has some tips on saving water and links to other places you can find help.