Autumn is here! This means the seasons are beginning to shift and the days gradually grow shorter. This month also marks the annual event ‘Sustainable September,’ a month dedicated to mindful living, reducing waste, and supporting the planet’s overall health.
At ClimeMET, we connect people to the natural world by paying attention to the weather around us. By doing so, we can adopt simple eco-friendly habits that not only save resources but also deepen our appreciation for the outdoors. With a little help from our weather essentials, sustainable living can become second nature before you know it!
Weather influences everything from how much water we use in the garden to the energy we consume in our homes. Yet many of us make quick or convenient decisions on energy output without consulting nature first.
Tools like rain gauges, thermometers, hygrometers, and even barometers provide insights into your current local conditions, so instead of guessing whether it’s best to hang the washing outside or stick it in the tumble dryer, you can make an informed decision based on the data provided by your weather watching companions.
Water wastage in the UK is a big problem! Over 3 billion litres of water are lost daily due to leaky pipes in water networks. Along with poor household habits such as leaving the tap on whilst brushing your teeth and prolonged hose usage, these contribute significantly to water wastage in the UK. Freshwater is a precious resource, and garden watering can act as a hidden drain if it isn't done efficiently. By keeping track of rainfall and humidity levels, you can water plants only when they need it and preserve water in the process.
A rain gauge tells you exactly how much rain has fallen. Although there is no strict rule of thumb for watering, as all plants are different, a general guideline is that if the rain gauge collects at least 25mm (1 inch) of rain over the course of a couple of days, your soil likely has enough moisture, and therefore, you should skip the watering session. Here, you're saving water resources and also keeping your plants healthy by preventing overwatering.
Hygrometers are also useful, as monitoring humidity helps you understand how quickly soil is likely to dry out. On hot and dry days, your plants may need a little extra water. However, on damp and humid days, watering may not be necessary as the air keeps the soil moist for longer.
These small adjustments in your outdoor space can eventually add up to significant water savings and a healthier garden!
With energy bills on the rise, cutting back on fossil fuel use has never been more important. By paying attention to the weather, we can take advantage of natural opportunities to heat, cool, and ventilate our homes, thereby reducing our reliance on expensive household appliances.
Taking a glance at a thermometer in your home can help you decide when to open windows instead of switching on a fan, or when it’s still displaying a reasonable temperature, so you can delay turning on the heating for the whole house. It’s not just temperature that influences how comfortable we feel at home; keeping an eye on pressure changes means you can prepare in advance. For example, if your dial is moving toward a low-pressure reading, it’s a good time to draught-proof and bring in the washing before a downpour catches you out.
Hygrometers are especially useful in the home, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, where humidity levels often fluctuate due to activities like cooking, boiling water, or taking hot showers and baths, making these rooms prime spots for mould, which can spread on your walls and damage furniture. By monitoring household humidity with a hygrometer, you can quickly respond to unsuitable levels, simply by opening a window or improving airflow between rooms. This not only protects your home’s structure and furnishings but also enhances your personal comfort.
Living sustainably is about working with nature rather than against it. Instruments such as moon phase clocks and tide clocks help align your outdoor activities with the natural cycles around you.
Many gardeners have looked to the moon for guidance, and for good reason. Its gravitational pull influences soil moisture, and its ever-changing light affects how plants grow. Root crops like carrots and potatoes are said to thrive around the full moon. Leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach benefit from the new moon phase of the cycle, when the rising light encourages them to grow lush and green. It is then suggested that whilst the moon is in the waning phase, you should catch up on pruning and tidying your growing space, ready for the cycle to begin again. Adopting natural habits such as this can help avoid a failed harvest and crop wastage.
Even tide clocks can provide you with opportunities to make sustainable lifestyle choices. For those living by the coast, tide clocks make it easy to plan coastal walks rather than reaching for the car keys! By monitoring your local tide pattern, you can plan your coastal walks accordingly, reducing wasted journeys and encouraging more sustainable travel methods.
Weather monitoring tools can easily become a part of your daily routine:
· Use your thermometer to plan laundry days. If it’s warm, sunny, and breezy, skip the tumble dryer.
· Check your rain gauge before reaching for the watering can.
· If you notice your home's humidity levels increasing, first, crack a window and allow natural airflow before resorting to HVAC systems.
· Check your tide clock as early as possible to avoid disappointment later on in the day.
· Check your barometer's pressure reading before planning outdoor activities for the day, and even hanging the washing out.
Sustainability isn’t about making big and complicated changes to our everyday routine; it’s about awareness and thoughtful action. With the right tools and a positive mindset, you can save water, reduce energy waste, and enjoy a closer connection to the natural world.
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