Why I turn the tap off while I brush my teeth?

And why I hate take away coffee cups (especially espresso!)

For a few years I’ve been trying to follow my urge to work more closely in climate change. For those around me (and especially those that live with me) I’m one of those annoying, judgmental people who question everything that may have a negative impact on the environment.

For those quietly (or less quietly) frustrated by my constant sighing, ‘tut’ing and questioning, please know that the battle in my own mind is more aggressive and constant. That won’t make you feel any better, but maybe this will help you understand me more.

There is a number of big reasons why I want to do more and more specifically why I really push hard on daily activities. Most of them you can probably at least be aware of if not understand or agree with.

But there is one that has become my mantra for changing daily behaviour.

“Multiply it by 7 billion.”

I just saw two guys with take-away coffee cups… espresso size. Sigh. Tut. Judge. Order coffee, wait, get coffee, drink it, 48 seconds later, throw it in the bin, rubbish picked up, taken to dump, cups sit there for 200 years…

“It’s just a little coffee cup Mick? What’s the big deal?”

“That is just one. But multiple it by 7 Billion. Per day. It’s 2.5 trillion coffee cups a year.”

Ok, not everyone drinks coffee but some people have 2 or 3. It’s a lot. It’s a lot of waste. It takes a lot of land.

Brushing your teeth with the tap on. It only takes 2 minutes (or it should) and it’s only a litre. What’s the big deal?

Multiple it by 7 Billion. It’s a lot.

Every activity we do multiplys out. You’re own actions matter. To you. To your family. To your community. To your world.

We got into this mess with our daily activities.

We can get out of it with our daily activities.

There are more than 7 billion people on this earth and we have more power than any government or corporation.

Multiply your good actions by 7 billion. Starting today.