Live Simply Haslemere

Autumn 2025 produced a bumper crop of acorns. Many of us, having an oak in the garden, must have puzzled over what to do with them all!  Of course, few of them will actually grow to maturity.. Many that do receive insufficient water and nutrients, these quickly perish. Imagine, though, what a mighty forest would grow from our oak, if each acorn was planted, fed and watered!

In January, just like the acorn abundance in autumn, our ‘ground’ is littered with resolutions made and rapidly abandoned! If we just slow down, plant and foster one small resolution each to contribute to the community future we would like to see, here in Haslemere, we CAN make a difference! In this post, we will suggest a few small initiatives in the town to which we might contribute. Then, by way of encouragement, we’ll explore some of the ways initiatives set in motion by individuals and small groups have significantly influenced public awareness and behaviour regarding climate change. 

First, though, a couple of tips on how to approach a resolution to play our part in tackling climate change: Living simply should be just that - simple! We’re unlikely to persevere with anything that requires major effort, or that is not integrated into our established routines. Here, habits play a crucial role in sustaining efforts against climate change by taking on the heavy lifting. Once having made the decision to incorporate an action, we don’t have to think about it. Soon, it becomes easier to do than not. 

We need to start small. It’s daunting to make several changes, or too big a change, in one go! Build confidence and momentum by adding intended habits one at a time. When the first has become second nature, add another, and so forth.

Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals can do wonders for motivation and encouragement, so check out green initiatives in the town to which you might contribute.

A few ways to engage with like-minded townsfolk

•     Volunteer with one of the Love Haslemere. Hate Waste initiatives

•    Use or contribute to the Community Fridge

•    Pop in to the Community Coffee Morning at the Community Fridge, Pathways Community Pavilion, Fieldway, Haslemere, 11am to 1pm, every 2nd Saturday

•    Support the Food Bank

•    Join a Litter Pick

•    Subscribe to Transition Haslemere’s newsletter, or go along to ‘Green Drinks’ discussions on  1st Thursday of the month at the Mill Tavern, 7.30pm

•    Help to tend the community orchard and share in its harvests/ apple pressing, etc...

•    Subscribe to the Haslemere Biodiversity Group newsletter and join in their discussions and activities

•    Join Wey Hill in Bloom volunteers

•    Subscribe to Surrey Wildlife Trust newsletters

•    Respond to polls from the Active Travel Group and share with them your hopes and experiences of the town in this regard

•    Look out for green events to attend on the Haslemere Museum Programme

•    Follow local groups on social media, including the Live Simply Haslemere Calendar, to keep abreast of what’s happening

Here, by way of encouragement, are a few examples of small starts that have grown to have big impacts:

 1. Plastic Bag Bans

Initiative: Some communities began by implementing small-scale bans on plastic bags, often starting with local retailers.

Impact: These bans led to widespread awareness of plastic pollution. Over time, many areas adopted similar policies, significantly reducing plastic waste and inspiring businesses to offer eco-friendly alternatives.

2. Community Recycling Programs

Initiative: Local communities organised recycling initiatives, starting with simple educational campaigns or neighbourhood collection points.

Impact: As these programmes expanded, they promoted conscious waste management practices. Increased community participation in recycling has led to substantial reductions in landfill waste and fosters a culture of sustainability.

3. Plant-Based Eating Campaigns

Initiative: Local organisations and online platforms launched campaigns encouraging people to try meatless meals, often through events like "Meatless Mondays."
 
Impact: As participants spread the word and shared experiences, these initiatives have fostered broader acceptance of plant-based diets. Restaurants & food outlets have massively increased their plant-based offerings and supermarkets report that these are their fastest growing lines. This shift has led many to explore sustainable eating habits, ultimately decreasing meat consumption and its environmental impact.

4. Urban Gardening and Community Farms

Initiative: Small community gardens began in urban settings to promote local food production and green space.

Impact: These gardens have transformed neighbourhoods, improving local biodiversity and food security while encouraging residents to engage with sustainable practices. Many communities have expanded these initiatives into larger urban farms, leading to a cultural shift regarding local produce.

5. Climate Strikes and Activism

Initiative: The Fridays for Future movement started with a single teenager, Greta Thunberg, skipping school to protest climate inaction.

Impact: This small act sparked a global movement, inspiring millions of students to join climate strikes. It fuelled public discussion around climate policy, significantly increasing pressure on governments to take action.

6. Renewable Energy Co-ops

Initiative: Community-led renewable energy cooperatives began as small groups pooling resources to install solar panels.

Impact: As more residents become involved, these initiatives help democratise access to energy, encourage local investment in renewable technologies, and raise awareness of the environmental benefits of clean energy.

7. Bike Share Programs

Initiative: Some communities introduced small-scale bike-sharing systems to encourage cycling as a mode of transport.

Impact: These schemes have grown substantially, promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing reliance on cars. In some places, they have led to increased investments in cycling infrastructure and contributed to a cultural shift toward sustainable transport.