Simple, Effective, And Sustainable Ways to Enjoy The Break While Protecting Our Environment
The days are getting longer and seemingly brighter, the grass is greener, and the trees are beginning to bud. Easter is just around the corner, bringing with it a promise for a long restful weekend, quality time with loved ones, and yes, plenty of chocolate. Children are egg-cited for the half term break; adults alike are ready for a well-earned pause. and several of us, it’s a chance to pause.
Easter can be a joyful, meaningful celebration rooted in themes of renewal and rebirth. It is tied to Christianity and the religion’s traditions, however it is also reflecting the awakening and blooming of nature, announcing springtime. With it come bountiful births of little lambs, sheep, bunnies, and chicks; the list is vast if we think of all the insects and life that sprouts in this time too.
While these symbols bring warmer weather, and themes of renewal, and have a natural positive impact on our wellbeing, both physically and mentally, it is also a stark reminder at times of how climate change is impacting the natural world around us as changes and temperatures are hard to miss these days.
Does Easter impact Climate Change?
Despite its connection to the natural environment, Easter, like many other holidays and festivities can have a significant environmental impact. Easter celebrates the natural world; however, we all know that several children and adults alike, wake up on the Sunday morning to a bountiful of chocolate eggs in different sizes. It is estimated that 94% of people who celebrate this time of year, do so with chocolate.
This notably not only generates a lot of waste, contributing to the 30% of global emissions linked to food, but it also adds pressure to the already strained cocoa industry. Climate change is making cocoa harder to grow, affecting both the environment and farmers livelihoods. All Things Supply Chain, published an insightful article exploring how these changes are driving up chocolate prices and threatening the sustainability of the cocoa trade.
So, while Easter is a time of celebration for both humans and nature, it is also a real opportunity to pause and reflect. The small joys we associate with this season, like chocolate eggs and sometimes family feasts, come with hidden costs to the natural environment. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it. By being mindful with our choices and making a few simple swaps, we can still enjoy everything we love about it all the while we look after nature and our environment. It isn’t about being perfect or going without, it is about intention, and every small action helps.
Learn And Share Your Knowledge
The holidays are an opportunity to learn, and teach other, all about our natural environment. Nature surrounds us, and understanding how plants, animals, and ecosystems interact helps us appreciate it more and our role in protecting it.
Here are a few ideas:
- Explore articles and resources on our website or visit The Wildlife Trust for local events and nature insights.
- Take children on a nature themed egg hunt with and eco twist, add fun facts or mini quizzes to each hidden treat to combine learning with play.
- Have discussions around local wildlife and how it is affected by climate change, and what individuals can do to help.
Nature Friendly Easter Activities
Could Your Chocolate Egg Choice Make a Difference?
Looking for fun ways to keep children (and adults) busy over the break? Here are some low carbon, creative ideas:
DIY decorations: Instead of store-bought plastic items, make decorations from scrap or recycled paper, old magazines or newspapers. Brighten them up with paint or natural dyes.
DIY Easter basket: on the topic of DIY, if you are organising an Easter egg hunt, why not create or decorate your own Easter basket. Use old containers that you already own or thrift a few old second-hand baskets and decorate them together.
Natural Egg decorating: Use fruit, vegetables, and spices to dye your eggs. This not only makes sure you’re not ingesting any harmful chemicals but can also make them tasty. The Kitchn have a variety of advice on their website on how to brighten up your eggs.
Go For a Spring Walk: This is the perfect time of year to get out and about, take in the fresh air, and enjoy the changes spring brings. Whether you are heading to a local park, exploring a woodland trail in Hamsterley forest, or talking a long walk along Durham’s Heritage Coast, there is so much natural beauty to take in. Keep an eye out for seasonal flowers like primroses, bugs like ladybirds and bumblebees and simply enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.
Visit a local farm: Support local agriculture, learn about baby animals, and pick up some fresh seasonal produce. Local farms are often champions of sustainable practices and few have a good few in our county.
Reduce Waste
We generate a huge amount of waste all year round, more so during holidays, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some simple swaps and mindful tips:
Choose Sustainable Chocolate: Look for eggs with minimal packaging or choose brands using compostable, recyclable, or plastic free materials. Consider vegetarian or vegan options, which can have a smaller carbon footprint.
Choose free range eggs: If you are buying real eggs for decorating or cooking, opt for organic, free range, or locally sourced egg where possible. Supporting farms with high animal welfare standards also means supporting sustainable practices that are better for our natural environment.
Avoid Single Use Plastics: Swap plastic partyware for reusable, paper, or compostable alternatives. Every year, over 200 million tonnes of single-use plastic are produced globally. Reducing how much we use makes a real impact.
Pledge To Cut Plastics: Make a personal commitment to reduce single-use plastics and encourage others to do the same. Small changes, when done by all, lead to big results. You can also sign our single use plastics pledge.
With just a little mindful thinking, we can enjoy everything we love about this season, the chocolate, time with loved ones, the fresh start, in ways that are meaningful and gentler on our environment.
Take joy in the little things: spring flowers, local walks, shared laughter, and even moments of stillness. By making more mindful choices, we not only protect nature, but we also pass something better on to the next generation.
We would love to hear from you.
Share your stories, experiences, and photos of nature, and send us a few lines on how you are helping protect our environment in County Durham. Whether it is something you do personally, a community project you may be involved in, a business change or action, or even a great photo of nature. We want to celebrate and share your efforts and views.
Send us your stories or photos (with a short explanation) by emailing climatecountydurham@durham.gov.uk or by filling in our “Get in Touch form” and help inspire others across our beautiful county to take action. And don’t forget to sign up to our Climate Change and Carbon Reduction Pledge.
