Climate change

How you can help

Everyone can help with climate change. The decisions we make can make a difference.

When you help the planet, you're helping yourself and your local community.

Climate-friendly actions can:

  • be good for your health
  • help save you money
  • boost the local economy

Save energy

There are many benefits to saving energy, such as:

  • saving money
  • staying warm in winter
  • reduced maintenance costs
  • reduced air pollution
  • helping to create local skilled jobs

What you can do to save energy:

  • waste less
  • be energy smart
  • insulate your home
  • choose a green energy tarrif
  • install renewable energy technology

Information on how to be energy smart

Travel sustainably

Travelling sustainably can:

  • help to reduce air pollution
  • improve your health
  • reduce journey time
  • save you money
  • help to reduce traffic accidents

What you can do to travel sustainably:

  • walk more
  • cycle more
  • take public transport
  • car share
  • go electric
  • drive less
  • fly less

Walking and cycling

Public transport

Cars

You should turn your car engine off when you're waiting for more than a few seconds, for example:

  • when waiting outside a school / business / hospital, or other place where you're picking up or dropping someone off
  • when waiting at a level crossing

Keeping your car engine running unnecessarily when you are stationary:

  • pollutes the environment
  • costs you money
  • is illegal if you are on a public road

For information on keeping our roads safe and accessible, see roads, streets and pavements.

Protect our environment and wildlife

The steps we take to protect our local environment and wildlife can:

  • improve our mental and physical health
  • help reduce air pollution
  • provide green spaces to enjoy
  • help minimise flooding and extreme heat

Be wildlife aware

  • add pollinator plants to your yard, garden, windowsills and balconies to attract bees and butterflies
  • go chemical free and avoid pesticides
  • leave water out for wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs, especially in the hot summer months
  • when out enjoying our local outdoor green spaces and coastline, look out for wildlife and give them space

  • remember to put your litter in a suitable bin or take it with you

Support your local environment

Local nature projects and initiatives

  • Coast South Tyneside is a section 106 grant funded project that has been launched to protect coastal habitats and wildlife
  • Stronger Shores Project is working to make British coastlines and communities stronger in the face of climate change, flooding and coastal erosion
  • NaturePlan covers the areas of South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead, providing information about local areas, with the aim of enhancing and restoring nature and local wildlife habitats
  • LGA Coastal SIG: Motion for the Ocean has been set up to help local authorities do what they for a clean, healthy and productive ocean and all of the direct economic, health and wellbeing benefits it will bring

Local nature reserves, wildlife sites, and parks

For more information on enhancing your greenspaces and being wildlife aware, see:

Eat sustainably

Eating sustainably can:

  • improve your health
  • save money
  • support local producers
  • expand your diet

How you can eat sustainably:

  • eat more vegetables
  • grow your own vegetables
  • eat seasonally
  • buy locally
  • reduce packaging
  • think 'quality not quantity' with meat

For more information on eating sustainably, see:

Projects and initiatives

Waste less

What you can do to help reduce waste:

  • reduce, reuse and recycle
  • buy less
  • choose second hand
  • mend and repair
  • share
  • avoid single-use items
  • regift

Recycling projects and initiatives

Businesses and community organisations

More information and advice

For more information on the steps you can take to help with climate change, visit Imperial College London: 9 things you can do about climate change.

To help you understand your personal carbon footprint and how to reduce it, there are some free apps and websites you can use: 

Information and advice can also be found on social media: 

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