Living

Transition is about the creation of resilient communities. It's about putting in place systems that will help us to deal with the big changes that are on the way. In the meantime, here are a few simple tips to get you started with your own transition to sustainable living…

FOOD & DRINK

Buy locally produced food & drink: it’ll keep the town alive and is more likely to continue to be available - no matter what happens to supermarkets (and their prices) in the future. See: Lewes Food Market, Lewes Farmers’ Market, Laporte’s, Harveys. Take a look at Where To Buy for local sources of basic food items.

Grow your own fruit & veg. - they’re fresher and better. If you don’t have a garden you could share an allotment with the Lewes Organic Allotment Project or start growing food on your doorstep with Food up Front. See: The Lottie Project, Ringmer Orchard

Start storing: if supermarket distribution breaks down (due to extreme weather, lack of fuel…) we’re only three days away from food shortages. A sack of rice and bag of lentils could suddenly look very appealing, and would at least give you the energy to go foraging! See: Just Trade, Infinity Foods

Stop wasting food – think of the price you paid for the item you’re about to chuck in the bin & then visualise throwing the money in instead. It really works! See: TTL Waste Group, LOVE FOOD hate waste

CAR

Share a car: no parking worries, no maintenance worries, no more carbon-footprint nightmares! Just pay & drive. Easy with Lewes Car Club

BUS & TRAIN

Start using public transport: with the help of Travel Log Lewes

STUFF

Enjoy giving it away: if you don’t want your old table, sofa, lava lamp… then pass it on - to give it a chance to be loved again. Clutter is so draining. See: Furniture Now!, Lewes Freegle

Start Swapping: clothes swaps (not forgetting bags and shoes) are so very now! Cost & environmental impact: practically zero. My Swish sometimes comes to Lewes, but you might like to start your own with a bunch of friends and a pile of cup cakes. More tips here at Start UK

 

Stop buying stuff you don’t need. Shop locally for practical investment pieces and ask yourself if you’ll be able to keep them in the family for generations to come – like granny’s old cotton sheets and eiderdowns… still the best.		  

ENERGY

A handful of simple reminders to save energy and reduce your bills:

Draughtbust your home - practical hints and tips here… and on thinkinsulation.com

See this check-list of things to do at home to save money or be more environmentally friendly put together by the TTL Energy Group. Some of the suggestions are so simple and yet so easily forgotten.

More top tips for reducing energy consumption in the home on the OVESCO website...

Alternatively… convert your home into an eco-house. more…

Have a really good look around the Start UK website - it's been a great source of inspiration for us.

PEOPLE

Think Community: better to build our future together; more practical and a lot friendlier.

Buy a copy of The Transition Companion: This new book is the result of 18 months of a collaborative process involving people from Transition initiatives around the world. We now have copies for sale at £15 - a 25% discount on the cover price. Please contact Susan Murray if you would like to buy a copy.

Please send us your sustainable living suggestions to add to this list. Inspiring thoughts right here…