Summer is for outdoor activities, slow travel adventures, and a little relaxation. The long days make it a time for creating memories that last forever. But while we embrace all the joys of the season, we need to be mindful of the environment.
From wild swimming to seasonal picnics, there are plenty of ways to enjoy summer without sacrificing the planet. By making conscious choices and adopting eco-friendly habits, it's possible to have a summer filled with fun—without causing more harm than good.
Practice Slow Travel
Summer is the season for getting outdoors and going on adventures. But wherever you go, remember to travel slowly and make your plans as eco-friendly as possible.
Slow travel is a mindful approach to travelling that tries to minimise the negative impact travel has on the planet. It allows for a more immersive experience that encourages a deeper connections with the local people and culture.
By practicing slow travel, it's possible to explore a place more authentically and sustainably. So whether you're going on a hike, visiting the beach, or travelling further afield—be a responsible traveller and leave no trace.
Visit a Local Market
This summer, choose to shop small and support local businesses. By purchasing locally grown produce and handmade crafts from farmers' markets and craft fairs, it helps to support the local community. It's a more eco-friendly choice too!
The future is uncertain for independent businesses, and we have the power to change that by choosing to shop small and buy handmade more often. There are many ways to support small businesses, from purchasing gifts to buying local produce.
Summer is a time where craft fairs and farmers' markets are on most weekends. Not only is it a sustainable way to shop for for handmade gifts, unique homewares, and special ingredients. It's a great place to catch up with friends and enjoy local community spaces.
Enjoy Wild Swimming
When the temperature soars, the first thing many of us do is look for the nearest pool to take a dip in. A more eco-friendly alternative that offers a more unique experience than a community pool or crowded beach is wild swimming.
Wild swimming in natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and the sea, combines exercise with nature therapy. It provides a way to connect with the natural world and enjoy the benefits of physical exercise with minimal environmental impact.
Being outdoors in the fresh air surrounded by nature is one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of nature and form a deeper sense of environmental awareness. Make sure to pack all the essentials for wild swimming and follow safety guidelines for swimming outdoors.
Have a Seasonal Picnic
What's a more quintessentially British summer activity than enjoying a picnic? It's a relaxing way to embrace the season and enjoy the outdoors with loved ones.
A simple picnic with snacks and light dishes made from seasonal ingredients is one of the easiest yet most enjoyable ways to spend the season. But can result in a whole lot of unnecessary—and avoidable!—waste.
Make the picnic low waste and eco-friendly by avoiding disposables and sticking to plant-based options. Switch out the disposables for reusable alternatives. Bring plates and cutlery from home, pack food in containers, and serve drinks in reusable cups. When it comes to the food itself, opt for homemade dishes rather pre-packaged ones.
Go Foraging
Foraging is a great way to re-connect with the natural world and develop a deeper connection to the local area. It provides a way of engaging with the environment in a meaningful way that teaches us about native plants and local wildlife.
Foraging is fun and free but there are a few rules to follow that keep you and the planet safe. Only forage what you know—so buy a guidebook and stick to only picking things you can identify. Take only a little and leave enough so that it can grow back.
Many common plants can all be easily identified and picked to use in recipes. Things to forage in summer include wild strawberries, bilberry, chickweed, and meadowsweet. Mushrooms are a harder to safely forage but learning how to identify them is fun.
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