Ways to help

Lack of variety of plants means lack of biodiversity - which is important for supporting pollinators and all kinds of helpful insects. If you have a garden, choose a variety of plants, including foxgloves, salvia, herbs, or even a fruit tree. If you don't have a garden, consider 'guerrilla gardening' - as long as it's with your local council's approval! There are also great window planters, which you can buy or DIY your own. These can act as 'rest stops' for important pollinators, such as bees.

For those who don't have a lot of time on their hands, signing up for petitions and emailling your local MP are great ways to make a difference. 

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For petitions, there are already many active petitions open for issues around the Norwich area, such as the sewage discharge in the Wensum River. Engaging and signing petitions can show politicians that change needs to be made. 

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If there are issues in Norwich, relating to the environment, that you spot that haven't yet been addressed, an easy way to get the ball rolling is to send an email. Bringing it to your MP or local environmental groups' attention can help start the process, and they may be able to provide you with volunteering opportunities if you wanted to be involved.

Community clean ups or litter-picking groups are a great way to make a noticeable change in the environment around you. If you don't feel brave enough to go your local park and start yourself, there are many groups which organise community clean ups, or you can organise one yourself with a group of friends. Just make sure you're disposing of the litter correctly and being safe around potential hazards.

'Green consumerism' is more of a lifestyle change. Start reading labels and finally checking out what the local market has to offer. 

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Shopping locally and ethically can reduce harmful impacts from mass-produced products or produce, such as emissions from transportation and importation and overuse of harmful pesticides. Large clothing chains and commercial farms often aren't the most environmentally friendly, so try to consider your purchases next time you're shopping. 

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Local produce stalls and the vintage clothes kilo (normally hosted every month) near the market are great places to start.

We're not saying you have to go vegan or even vegetarian. These diets are not always accessible for everyone, whether you struggle to eat enough protein already or you don't have the time to balance a vegetarian or vegan meal.

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Consider your red meat consumption, specifically beef. Cattle farming produces a significant amount of greenhouse gasses and often results in deforestation to make room for their large space requirement. Swapping out your protein for chicken or fish can be a healthy and environmentally-friendly alternative. Tinned fish often has long expiration dates and is cheaper, if price is an issue. 

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If you wanted to dip your toe into a meat-free diet, there are many good vegetarian or vegan options in restaurants in Norwich, such as Tofurei, Namaste Village, or Saporita.

They say that it's easier to stick to a diet when you have other people join you, and it's the same for embarking on your environmental journey. The more people you have around you following this mindset can encourage you to keep making the 'green' choice. 

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When you want your voice to really be heard or your community litter-picking walk to really make a difference, get people involved. Group action is more likely to lead to change.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

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I'm sure all of us have heard this a million times before, but I think we should start hearing it again. 

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Reduce - you can reduce your food waste by planning your weekly meals ahead of time, or reduce your plastic waste by investing in a reusable water bottle, or you could even get rechargeable batteries for the moment your remote control unexpectedly dies.

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Reuse - you could reuse your plastic tubs as plant pots by just poking a few holes in the bottle, glass jars from candles or produce have infinite possibilities (e.g. pencil pot, trinket jar, vase), or reuse plastic water bottles.

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Recycle - this one is slightly self-explanatory. Separate your rubbish and just remember to clean out any food containers before putting them in your recycling bin.

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Readopting this mindset can help environmentally-conscious behaviours and thought processes become easier for you. Try looking around your surroundings and thinking of at least one way to reuse, reduce, and recycle. 

Whilst this isn't actually as simple as 'learn more', the idea is still there.

Curious about what the new t-shirt you bought is made of? Google it. Want to check the flower you're planting is pollinator-friendly? Google it. Aren't sure whether your supermarket aligns with your ethical and environmental beliefs? Google it. Want to learn how to convince your local council that you should be allowed to guerrilla garden in Chapelfield Park? I'm sure there's something out there, but you might be better sending an email.  Search engines are there to help you learn, and you can do this from your phone.

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If perhaps you wanted more in-depth or broad knowledge, there are many online study guides or websites specialising in teaching you science out there. Find one you like that explains the topic you would like to understand, and branch out from there. Once you have the basics down, Google Scholar and science publications are the next big steps.