3 Everyday Choices That Secretly Affect Your Local Community

Even the mighty ocean can be broken down to the smallest unit of a drop. Likewise, millions of seemingly tiny actions can create a ripple so strong that its impact transcends time and space.

The important thing to realise is that no action stays neutral. The same applies to the environment. You’re either supporting it with your ‘tiny’ daily choices or harming it further.

The good news is that people are waking up to this reality. In 2024, as many as 98% of UK adults engaged in at least one action that positively impacted the environment. If such actions are viewed collectively, they’re capable of improving community health.

So, where do you start? Your lifestyle is the best place! Yes, this article will share three impactful ways in which your simple daily choices can (secretly) affect your local community.

1. Transportation Habits

Think about the way you move through your daily life. Your commuting choices or transportation habits have a greater impact on your local community than you may know.

Every trip you take, be it running errands, going to work, or dropping off friends or family, matters. It not only contributes to or minimises the area’s traffic and air pollution levels, but also its safety, noise, and overall quality of life.

Let’s start with the traffic itself. Great Britain’s traffic levels increased by 1.6% between 2023 and 2024. The greatest rise was seen in the number of motorcycles (3.5%) and cars (1.9%). If you use more public transport, it will reduce the number of individual vehicles, SUVs in particular, on the roads.

Most importantly, try to use public transport strategically. Riding via buses, metro, or shuttles during peak hours can significantly relieve traffic in busy areas. Besides this, there are other transportation habits and their impact, as listed below:

• Single-occupancy vehicle trips for short distances contribute to traffic issues and vehicular emissions. How about walking or cycling instead?
• Idling your vehicle as you wait in traffic or drive-thru lines increases emissions and exposes drivers in the vicinity to harmful exhaust. Turn the engine off and let your vehicle truly rest.
• Parking on sidewalks or blocking bike lanes forces pedestrians and cyclists into unsafe zones. Avoid these two practices.

When you’re mindful of not just how, but also when and why you travel daily, you make room for positive effects over time. Your daily commutes will become ways to keep your neighbourhood safe and healthy.

2. Awareness of Local Environmental News

Would you consider yourself well-informed about recent environmental developments in your area? Awareness is the key to unlocking safer environmental practices, advocacy, and reducing the impact on vulnerable populations.

When communities stay uninformed, they run the risk of experiencing the unintended consequences of industrial or municipal incidents. For instance, the recent AFFF lawsuit update in the US highlighted cases where firefighting foam chemicals caused injuries and water contamination in entire neighbourhoods.

This also led to community-wide discussions in the UK regarding health monitoring, water safety, and local regulations. New Yorkshire Town, a rural community found to have the highest contamination in the UK, was set to file the first-ever lawsuit.

TorHoerman Law shares that exposure to the firefighting foam chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is linked to cancer and liver damage. So, industrial accountability and confronting regulators matter. Plus, personal measures like advanced water filtration systems can further keep one’s family safe.

All of this is only possible when individuals within each community are aware of what’s going on. Similarly, here are other examples of how awareness of local environmental news can affect your community:

• Air quality alerts: You should keep an eye on any updates regarding nearby emissions or high-pollution days. This enables families, schools, and local organisations to take protective measures in the form of limiting outdoor activities or installing HEPA air filtration systems.
• Storm or flood warnings: Awareness of local flood or storm risks also helps in preparation. Individuals can protect their property and assist neighbours who may be more vulnerable. Communities collectively can mitigate damage and recover more quickly.
• Construction or roadwork announcements: Information about major infrastructure projects reduces accidents and makes travel safer. Communities can also voice their concerns beforehand regarding noise and pedestrian safety.

3. The Timing of Energy and Water Use

You know how your water and energy usage can impact not just your utility bills, but also the environment around you. However, do you also know that when you use these, they can play an equally integral role?

Utilities generally operate on and off-peak schedules. This means using them during peak times can strain infrastructure and increase carbon emissions. It may even contribute to temporary shortages.

By adjusting the timing of your water and energy usage, you reduce pressure on local systems and keep your neighbourhood functioning well.

So, what are the different adjustments you can make (whenever possible)? Consider the following:

• Shift tasks like laundry or dishwashing to off-peak hours. In other words, do these chores in the early morning or late evening.
• Water your gardens or lawns responsibly. Choose cooler times of the day, like early morning, to minimise evaporation and reduce strain on municipal systems.
• If you own an electric vehicle (EV), charge it during off-peak hours, like overnight. It may reduce the risk of overloading local transformers.
• You can also use high-power appliances like air-conditioners and heaters during off-peak times. This may be a bit trickier to do than the rest, so try whenever you can. Any effort would reduce the load on local infrastructure.

The independent energy regulator of the UK, Ofgem, is making efforts to make this process smooth. Last year, it introduced its plans for encouraging flexible electricity use, especially for charging electric vehicles and heat pumps.

This move is expected to bring about considerable national savings. However, the benefits will trickle down to households and communities. You may experience fewer blackouts and lower energy bills overall.

So, when you use your resources is not merely about personal convenience. It’s also about supporting your local community in an indirect but visible manner.

Closing Thoughts

The three ways we just discussed involve a key takeaway: your daily choices do not exist in isolation. Any major change is the result of thousands and millions of individual ones.

When you do your due diligence as a household and inspire others to do the same, your local community will benefit. So, plant the seeds and nurture them consistently, even if you don’t see immediate results. If done right, they will bear good fruit at the right time.

Author Profile

Manuela WillboldOnline Media & PR Strategist

Blogger and Educator by Passion | Senior Online Media & PR Strategist at ClickDo Ltd. | Fascinated to Write Lifestyle Blogs in News & Education I have completed a journalism summer course at the London School of Journalism and manage various blogs.

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