Low carbon leisure
(Nimue)
The resources we use for our own amusement is an area in which we have a lot of scope to think about acting in ways that are more considerate to the environment. However, this absolutely does not have to be about being miserable and feeling limited. Low carbon leisure options have a lot to offer.
Time spent resting is really good for us. Most of us could use more sleep. Sleep is an eco-friendly thing to be doing.
There’s a huge amount of joy and pleasure to be had from being sociable and sharing things in a social context. Storytelling, music, community singing, dancing, and just hanging out are all good examples. If we aren’t travelling far, these can be joyful, low carbon choices.
Being creative also gives you a huge amount. Crafting and upcycling are rewarding activities, and can sometimes help you consume less in other ways, or keep things out of landfill. Repairing, and repurposing can be a lot of fun, and can reduce your carbon footprint. Clothing has a huge environmental impact, so keeping clothes in use is a really good choice and you can have a lot of fun with it along the way.
Gardening – if you do it in a planet friendly way is a good option. Cooking from scratch is a hobby that can reduce your household waste, and lower the environmental impact of your food. Being creative with leftovers is a great choice.
Many of us suffer from over-stimulation. Turning off most, if not all of the gadgets, reducing the light level and doing something gentle can really help us. Using less energy can help us relax more, rest more, and improve our health. These are largely cheaper choices, too, so that’s helpful to the household budget.
Getting outside to walk, cycle, or run, or just to sit gives us a great deal. There are physical and mental health benefits to getting some fresh air and whatever movement we’re equal to. If you can, then doing some of your local journeys this way is really good for you, and better for the planet. Getting outside and moving about is rewarding as a leisure activity, and if you start from your own door, it’s really low impact.
When we make low impact choices we’re also being kinder to each other. Low energy use activities are inherently quieter and less impactful on others than anything that uses a lot of energy. Higher energy use tends to go with noise and light pollution, air pollution, and disruption.
If this kind of thinking interests you, then do check out my Beyond Sustainability book – https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/earth-spirit-beyond-sustainability
