I have always been concerned about the planet, wildlife, and nature. I am concerned about the climate emergency… everyone needs to do more … I need to do more.

I attended a work conference recently with a keynote presentation by some environmentalists. They challenged the audience “you are what you do, not what you intend to do”. I have intended to do more about my own carbon footprint and environmental efforts and have done quite a bit but intended to do more. I was intending to follow COP26 and inform myself more to act.

So, with this call to arms, I am now going to DO more, not just INTEND to do more.

I am using my work volunteering day this year to fundraise for the National Trust’s “Move For Trees” campaign. The idea is to run, walk, cycle, etc 50km and to fundraise. I intend to cycle 54km – 1 km for each year of my life – with my wife, on our fold up bikes, in suitable natural settings. The funds raised go towards funding tree planting on National Trust estates.

The National Trust says:

“Trees provide homes for wildlife, reduce flooding and clean our air. Today the UK is the least wooded country in Europe, and 41% of UK wildlife species have been in decline since 1970. Trees are our best natural defence against the climate crisis which is why the National Trust has pledged to plant and establish 20 million trees by 2030. Our approach will deliver tree planting projects that benefit both people and nature. When you plant a tree, you contribute to reducing  emissions, as these hardy plants work hard to lock up carbon. These trees will also open up new habitats for wildlife such as the red squirrel, the hazel dormouse, the greater spotted woodpecker and other birds like the song thrush and the red kite. Trees are good for nature. They're good for the climate. And they're good for people. It costs just £5 to plant one sapling and help grow the woodland of the future”.

I hope to raise £270 – the equivalent of 54 trees – 1 for each year of my life. If there is a worthwhile planet to still live in, I hope to live to 100, so my target is to raise £500 – the equivalent of 100 trees.

As a further challenge, for each tree funded, I will also make 1 personal or family sustainability adjustment to my/our lifestyle – that’s potentially 100 changes!

I will also keep a personal diary of my sustainability improvement journey and share each sustainability adjustment through my JustGiving page, family chat group and work chat forums, to try and share ideas and spread the word.

Please sponsor me, fund a tree (or copse, wood, forest?) and
help me start to improve myself, wildlife, and the planet.