Cold Without Snow

Why Is Winter Not Sparkling White?

When I studied my Geography degree I focused on environmental subjects alongside glaciology. It is fair to say that snow and ice has always fascinated me.

So the lack of snow in Eastern England is really irritating me.

Obviously, I blog about climate change and know what that involves. Warming temperatures naturally lead to less wintry weather and generally more rain throughout the year.

Winter is becoming more about rain and flooding, instead of traditional snow flurries and frosty gardens.

What Irritates Me?

Well, for me, the weather which we do now have in winter is generally cloudy, murky and chilly. Lots of rain and wind has replaced the beautiful snowy periods that I remember from growing up in the 1980s.

I would love to go back to weeks of snow, sledding down local hills and warming by a heater, looking out at a white village.

So yes, it feels dull to just have grey days and darker afternoons. I would much rather see snow flurries and enjoy a walk in the crisp, fresh snow just after it has fallen.

Do you miss the snow or is it still a regular feature where you live?

Thanks for reading my blog post about winter. I also write book reviews like this one about Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. Please also consider following my blog for similar content.

Wrapping Up Doesn’t Have To Be A Waste.

As we reach the end of the year, I am delighted to be able to write another Climate Change Collective post. With Christmas on the horizon, there are some aspects of our rituals that can be environmentally awkward. One such aspect is packaging.

The UK uses 227,000 miles of wrapping paper each year. Each Christmas each UK household throws away three and a half black bags full of Christmas packaging. (Source: GWP)

Startling facts like this highlight just how important it is that we start to reign in our packaging obsession over the festive season.

The Trouble With Glitter

I have been checking recycling instructions for wrapping paper. It seems that the general UK advice is that if you can scrunch it up and it stays scrunched then it is recyclable. There is an important note added to that though. If it contains glitter or foil decoration, then it can’t be recycled.

This is disappointing but makes a lot of sense. However, it is the reason why so many general waste bins are going to be stuffed full of wrapping paper this week.

One of the worst offenders when it comes to being single-use is the renowned (and often pointless) gift bag. A shiny and expensive gift bag usually contains an already fully wrapped present. Is this really necessary?

Being covered in foil and soon worn out, a gift bag commonly makes its way swiftly into the rubbish bin.

But why do people wrap their presents and still feel the need for individual gift bags too?

Suggestions For Change

First of all people need to start thinking about the type of packaging they use. Does it have to be shiny and sparkly?

I will be honest and say that this Christmas I gave my presents without any wrapping on at all. I don’t have any children in my family but would have wrapped their presents if so.

Using coloured paper which has no foil is a simple way of making gift wrapping better for the environment. It should be the thought that matters and the consideration that went into the present buying, not the sparkly packaging.

Final Thoughts

If landfill sites are being filled with gift wrapping every Christmas, then we really need to challenge this. In the spirit of Christmas, should we not be giving back to the planet instead of polluting it with rubbish?

It takes tinfoil (the same as the foil found in wrapping paper) around 400 years to decompose according to Recycle Coach.

Let’s make an effort to move away from unnecessary packaging and towards a more sustainable future full of recyclable Christmas wrapping and emptier dustbins.

Thank you for reading this article. Please message me if you are a blogger wanting to join The Climate Change Collective. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) and I came up with an idea to establish a group of likeminded bloggers to write monthly features about the environment. Our group has blossomed and every member writes a link post each month.

To read the most recent post from our collective simply check out Caroline’s wonderful Reconnecting with nature and self article from November.

So It Snowed (A Poem)

Woke up to snow

And what do you know?

The pavements were white

And the morning so bright.

With a chill in the air

And hat over my hair

I trudged down the street

Taking ‘oh so much’ care.

It is nice to see snow

With its effervescent glow.

It is right for the season

And there for a reason.

Yet some have soon claimed

Though they need not be named

That is means climate change isn’t real.

Well, you know how I feel.

The presence of snow

Is quite seasonal, you know.

With effects of El Nino

Every four years we cool…so?

The Earth is still warming

But we may find more storming.

Extremes are expected

If the climate is neglected.

Climate change is real

But we need to do a deal…

In Dubai we need more action

So the fight can gain more traction.

Thank you for reading my snow poem. For another of my poems, take a look at Terrible Turmoil. Please also consider following my blog for future similar content.