We are what we do – small actions = big change

Filed in Blog by on October 16, 2009 5 Comments
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Learn to knit with We are what we do!

Learn to knit with We are what we do!

How much do I love this site?

I’ve been on a bit of a downer with the whole ‘zero waste’, incinerators looming, it’s hard being green, saving-the-world lark lately.

but something came into my life and brightened my day.

We are what we do is the brainchild of Eugene Harvey and David Robinson. Starting with the realisation that we need a change in society and the power of people coming together to make it happen, the concept of We Are What We Do was born.

Out of the vision came the best selling book “Change the world for a fiver” and Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m NOT a plastic bag” shopper. Next came a book to inspire children “Teach your Granny to Text” and now you can take part by signing up and taking small actions to change the world.

Their belief is the same as ours: Lots of people making small changes can collectively add up to significant change. Or as they put it Small Actions x Lots of People = Big Change. The feel of the site is to take the ‘over’ out of overwhelmed, to pare things back and make things easy and manageable.

They carry their philosophy right through to the signing up process; it couldn’t be simpler. You need a few details such as your email, username and password and you’re in; ready to join the thousands of other people who want to make a difference.

I’ve joined up and am gradually adding the actions that I do, such as stopping junk mail and recycling. There is plenty of space for you to share your tips on how to do things so that others can benefit. The site is lively, fun and easy to use. You’ll see a running total of all the actions taken by members which helps you to feel you are part of something bigger.

Go and sign up and let me know what you think. And if you have some ideas for small, simple actions, be sure to share them with the ‘We are what we do’ team!

About the Author ()

I am a long time supporter of the Green and Sustainable lifestyle. After being caught in the Boscastle floods in 2004, our family begun a journey to respect and promote the importance of Earth's fragile ecosystem, that focussed on reducing waste. Inspired by the beauty and resourcefulness of this wonderful planet, I have published numerous magazine articles on green issues and the author of four books.

Comments (5)

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  1. John Costigane says:

    Hi Mrs Green,

    ‘We are what we do’ is a fine effort with a community of like-minds. It is great to see some of our Zero Waste interests included, also with a hint of self-sufficientish. There are other ways to promote changes which add to the Zero Waste trend.

    After our small-scale beginnings, the fact that the government, with Hilary Benn foremost, is promoting Zero Waste is vindication for our efforts. The EfW issue is still there but the ‘rush to burn’ has given way to a Zero Waste approach, a sustainable alternative.

    The beauty of our trend is the realistic approach taken. Green issues have value but are too limited to be effective, better to take a practical view to include the biggest number of the population.

  2. John Costigane says:

    Hi Again,

    I joined in today to check the site. A picture of a Sweet Basil plant and pot was a welcome sight. Ideas for further actions with a Zero Waste view could be helpful.

  3. Mrs Green says:

    @John Costigane: Hi John, It’s a great site with lots of actions taking place. I’m glad to see you have joined up to share your experiences; I’ll look out for you.

  4. Poppy says:

    I have acquired 2 new green books as part of my Saturday treat at the Literature Festival. Saturday was Green Day and there were 6 events running from 10 am til 10 pm with a green theme and a reasonably green price ,,,,,,,, so that’s where I was ……… all day!

    Started the day with ‘How long will the forests burn?’ and finished with Mark Watson and his humerous interpitation of An Inconvenient Truth. The books I bought were Dick Strawbridge’s ‘It’s not easy being green’ and Mark Watsons ‘Crap at the Environment’. We were also given a booklet entitled Rain Forests – The Burning Issue that was put together by HRH Prince Charles and The Princes Trust.

    I’d like to say I was green all day, but the sarnies brought to me at lunchtime by DH and DS, were in the usual hard disposable’ plastic containers and the free drams of whisky that they kept plying me with, were in ‘disposable’ plastic glasses. How can you say no? My willpower isn’t what it should be 🙁

    Also had a free copy of The Times in a rather attractive reusable bag, so that was pretty good – all recyclable of reusable 🙂

  5. Mrs Green says:

    @Poppy: What an amazing sounding day and the books sound good too. I read the ‘it’s not easy being green’ from the library, but I’ve not heard of the other one – off to browse Amazon and stock up my wishlist 😉

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