The Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
The Climate Crisis is already affecting large parts of the world, including upland and mountain areas that we love and which form the basis of our outdoor activities. As outdoor lovers – whether you are climbing, walking, running, mountaineering or cycling - we all have a responsibility to try and reduce our impact. Having respect for our environments is crucial if we are to continue to enjoy it now and protect it for future generations
The BMC aim to highlight and act against the climate crisis and reduce our impact on the environment through our work on The Climate Project . This ongoing campaign, launched in 2020, aims to change mindsets and embed good decisions and choices into everyday activities.
Climate change is the fight of our lifetime but knowing where to start can seem overwhelming. So, we've compiled a simple list of tips on how to be greener in the outdoors in honour of the Great Big Green Week 2022.
1.) Liftshare
Be social and share a lift!
By getting more people into the same car and reducing the number of cars on the road, we will help reduce carbon emissions going into the atmosphere. Use the BMC Liftshare platform to help to reduce your own carbon footprint and ease car park capacities at popular venues.
To learn more about Liftshare, click here.
2.) Re-use and Repair
The most sustainable product is the product you already own. The goal is to keep your products from landfills and use it as long as possible before recycling or donating it.
Need to know where to re-use, repair or recycle your outdoor gear? From down jackets and sleeping bags to climbing shoes and hiking boots, find out more here .
3.) Purchase from ethical and sustainable brands
If you do need to replace old gear, help us create a climate-positive future by purchasing from ethical and sustainable brands.
Cotswold Outdoor stock sustainable brands such as Patagonia, Tentree and Rab. As a BMC member you are entitled to 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor, in store and online.
Need some chalk to get you through the gritstone season? Gekco are making sustainable steps to reduce their impact on the environment with their resin free liquid chalk and recycled packaging.
4.) No Moor BBQs
We’re saying no moor to disposable BBQs .
Each year, moorland fires have a devastating effect on wildlife, livestock and people, and can often destroy the underlying peat that is crucial in our fight against climate change.
Worldwide, peatland contains more than 550 gigatonnes of carbon, twice as much carbon as all of the world’s forests.
Fires on the moors are easily started by people lighting disposable barbecues. Visitors may not realize they have started a fire or may ignore warning signs.
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5.) Take your litter
We’ve heard the cult saying “take only photographs, leave only footprints”. Discarded litter can cause environmental damage and may cause injury to wild and domestic animals. If overwhelmed with litter, landowners may choose to restrict access onto private land.
This goes for those banana skins too! Some climbers and walkers mistakenly believe it is ok to throw the skins and other fruit peel on the hill because they are biodegradable. Even under normal conditions, banana skins can take two years to decompose. Any food thrown away in the harsh upland environments of Britain’s mountains and fells can have an adverse effect on the delicate equilibrium of the species that inhabit the high grounds.
As well as avoiding adding to the problem, you might also want to help tackle it head-on by picking up litter when you see it. Our Hills to Oceans campaign encourages people to help remove as much litter and plastic from our hills, mountains and crags as possible, so why not get involved and buy yourself a litter picker from the BMC shop?
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