Shopping Smart and Eating Well: Four Twenty-somethings Explain How They’re Doing Their Bit
Image source: Ella Olsson vis Unsplash
By Johanna Robertson and Joshua Taylor
Jennie Adams, 23, Glasgow
Talking about what she could do to minimize her impact on the planet she said: “I’ve been vegetarian for about 5 years, I get the train and walk places so that I try not to drive as much.” With Glasgow being her local area, she added: “Better accessibility to the subway would be good however, saying that, trains have been a nightmare over the past two weeks because of COP26.” Referring to fast fashion she said: “I am quite bad for buying something and not liking it, but will try to resell it on places like Depop. If I buy something I think I will only wear once, I normally give to someone or charity shops.”
Nicole Fraser, 27, Glasgow
Nicole Fraser, a sales assistant on Buchannan Street said: “I am trying to start shopping small, and not buy into fast fashion as much, it’s quite good in here as we have a set uniform so don’t need to buy new uniform all the time.” She added: “I don’t eat meat, I am a pescatarian, I also don’t eat dairy, I cut those out a couple years ago now.” She mentioned living in Aberdeen, saying: “Their council system was a lot better, in terms of food waste bins. I live in South Lanarkshire and there is it’s not as popular here.”
Darren McAllister, 26, Glasgow
Reflecting to his own impact on the planet, he said: “Reduce the amount I use single use plastic bottles, I don’t really use plastic bags anymore, I always carry a rucksack.” Referring to responsibility he added: “Individuals can certainly make better choices but it’s something like 80% of emissions are by big companies, we can’t do anything about that. It has to be government holding big companies to account.” In terms of what Glasgow as a city can do, he said: “Moving towards as little use of the roads within the city, taking away the convenience of driving cars in the city.”
Adel Cormack, 28, London
She said: “I think everyone should be responsible on a personal level but fundamentally, I can recycle as much as I like but the impact I am going to have will be far less and the people in power have the ability to change things. That’s completely their responsibility and I think it’s about time they made it their priority.” She added: “We work in real estate, which fundamentally has a massive part to play, especially older cities like Edinburgh, it’s how you make the best use out of them to make them environmentally friendly.”