‘It’s nice to have us as readers take a positive look at environmentally friendly ways’

Three changes

What a nice and positive idea from Jan Rob Dijkstra from Winsum. I like to participate in that. The three things I’m going to change in the coming year are: take a hot shower for a maximum of 1 minute, eat mostly organic food and put mostly organically grown plants in my garden.
Mary KotThe Hague

Environmentally friendly choices

Nice to have us as readers take a positive look at environmentally friendly ways. I myself have been working on environmentally friendly choices for years.

I have been a minimalist for years and try to produce as little waste as possible. I use as little water, electricity and gas as possible. With 2 liters I was complete. I only buy socks and underwear. I exchange all other clothes.

After brushing my teeth I keep the toothpaste residue in a cup, fill it with a little water and use it to brush the toilet. Smells great!

I wrap the Sinterklaas and Christmas presents in kitchen paper. It can then be used immediately.
Marie van der ZandenNijmegen

Go for it

Dear Mr. Dijkstra, I can help you: how about trading in your television and telephone only when the thing is broken. Only buy new clothes if you really need something, can’t find anything in your wardrobe and then preferably at a thrift store. And meat one day a week. Go for it!
Walter SouthhoekAlkmaar

To do together

Mr Dijkstra could find both inspiration and a stimulating feeling of ‘doing things together’ via the websites hetkanwel.nl and 52weeksduurzaam.nl. These are full of actionable ideas from fellow seekers.
Cox ReindersThe Hague

Easy

What a brave effort to put your shoulders to change! I participate. I promise that from now on I will: move everywhere by bicycle or public transport or as a passenger; Don’t eat meat; Do not use an airplane; Only replace my phone when it no longer works; Only buy new clothes when necessary; Only have lights and heating on in the rooms where I stay. Easy! That’s how I’ve been doing it for years.
Marjorie GosenChaumard, France

Buyer’s Guide

A tip: apart from the fact that we eat much less meat, we stopped having cold cuts for breakfast some time ago and eat vegetarian spreads instead.

We use much less energy and water by simply washing dishes in a basin with electrically heated hot water. We go on holiday in our own province, preferably within an hour’s drive from where we live.
Onne KnolSpike

Small difference helps

I want to add something positive to the letter from Jan Rob Dijkstra from Winsum. on
August 22, 2021 my village of Woudsend was flooded by a heavy cloudburst. This required action from the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân, but also from me. I live on a park, the municipality decided to remove the sidewalk that runs along it. We received a letter from them that they would sow it with grass.

I thought otherwise. And that’s why I sent them an email. I had a better idea. We sow the released soil with cuttings and seeds, which is better and even better for diversity, I also sow lupine, a CO₂catcher.

However small … we are now a year further and the hummingbird butterfly has already been spotted. People around me get inspired and a bulb grower from North Holland spontaneously brought hundreds of flower bulbs. Actually too much, but I plant the rest elsewhere around the tree mirrors in the village.

Three years ago I already started scattering hollyhock seeds throughout the village. I make a small difference and it helps.
Corinne van de LindeWoodsend