We have all seen the devastating findings in the IPCC report released last week. The report focused on the impact of human activities on the environment and labelled the current situation ‘a code red for humanity’ – an extremely sobering message that has really hit home for us at Natural Apptitude. You can read the full report here.
However, despite it being extremely worrying, it’s important to remember that there’s still time to make changes that stop the increase in global surface temperature and reduce our impact on the planet.
‘If we combine forces now, we can avert climate catastrophe’. This quote from the report by UN Secretary General, António Guterres signifies that we all have a role to play, no matter how small, in making changes that have a lasting, positive, impact on the planet.
Our organisation was built around a commitment to support conservation initiatives. From the projects we work on, to the people who work here, the environment runs through what we do and we are always seeking new ways in which we can do our bit for the planet.
The report has driven us to make a genuine commitment to making a difference that goes beyond simply our day to day jobs.
So, as a team, we each decided to go the extra mile and help the planet by making a pledge to change something in our daily lives.
Our pledges
Dave Kilbey – CEO
I’ve always been a nature lover and spent most of my childhood driving my parents nuts by filling my bedroom, and the house, with various types of wildlife related paraphernalia (…some of it might have escaped).
My pledge is to continue turning my garden into a wildlife haven. This Spring I built a wildlife pond, put up nest boxes for blue tits, great tits and house martins and fitted two rain water butts. I’m also pledging to sow two wild flower meadows this autumn, and install several swift nest boxes.
I’m also committing to producing as much of my own food as I can in my organic allotment – zero food miles and good for environment (if not my back).
Joe Woodhouse – CTO
As a father to three young children I take very seriously my role in guiding and educating them about the environment. I believe that my generation has a huge role to play in taking steps to mitigate any further impact on the planet and part of this is teaching the next generation about climate change. That’s why, at every opportunity, I encourage my children to ask questions about the world whilst we’re out and about, teach them about recycling and look out for environmentally focused community events I can take them to.
As a family this year we are pledging to reduce our meat intake, aiming for at least 3 vegetarian meals per week. Additionally we’re trying to help clean up our local environment by joining a local community group to do regular litter picks of local woodland areas.
Corin Varney – Developer
We are now undeniably fully in the midst of a climate crisis, and it’s essential that we all collectively contribute to changes in our consumption. Although changes on the individual level can feel small, together we can work toward shifting society toward a more sustainable future.
This year I’ll be aiming to reduce my carbon footprint by:
- Moving from carbon neutral energy to carbon negative energy (via the means of offsetting)
- Continuing the shift of my vegetarian diet towards a fully plant based one
- Striving to purchase locally produced and sourced products wherever possible
Jamie Forsyth – UX/UI designer
Having always been environmentally conscious, over the years as a family we’ve taken steps to reduce our carbon footprint wherever possible, however with the severity of the climate crisis really starting to become more and more apparent across all corners of the globe, we are now trying to do even more to mitigate our impact.
As a family we pledge to start growing our own food; buy 2nd-hand whenever possible (or even just borrowing where possible, for example using the toy library for our daughter Bea); and take measures to make our new home more energy efficient, raising it’s efficiency rating from a D to at least a C but hopefully a B!
Tom Pickard – Developer
Living by the sea I am aware of the scourge of waste in our environment.
I therefore pledge to help with beach cleans and general litter picking to keep the natural world plastic free, as it was intended.
I also pledge to reduce my food miles by eating more local, seasonal, organic produce and where this is not possible, to opt for ingredients that haven’t been flown.
Rhiannon Liversuch – Marketing Specialist
I have always been conscious of the importance of forests both in the UK and internationally. I currently offset my carbon emissions by planting a tree every day through TreeApp but I realise I can do more!
This year, I pledge to learn more about the impact deforestation is having on biodiversity and also include more plant based meals into my vegetarian diet!
What next…?
As well as individual pledges, as a business, we have signed up to the SME Climate Commitment, a Government initiative whereby UK SMEs pledge to change how they do business to help reduce their impact on the environment.
As a result of this pledge, we commit to exceed the targets set out in the SME Climate Commitment, which are to:
- Halve our greenhouse gas emissions before 2030
- Achieve net zero emissions before 2050
- Disclose our progress on a yearly basis
This initiative is recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. You can find out more about the commitment here.
As we continue to work on projects that make a difference, and make changes in our daily lives, we hope that we can inspire other people to do the same.