To celebrate St David’s Day, we’ve been thinking about the important saying connected to the day, ‘Do the Little Things’ and how small changes or interactions can lead to larger impact as we work towards a greener future.
The scale of the climate and biodiversity crisis and the systemic transformation needed to tackle it can often leave us feeling daunted or powerless, and this is by no means unusual. But as CAT guest speaker Jean Boulton champions, ’thinking big but acting small’ can be a way to mobilise change despite feeling overwhelmed. Oftentimes, ‘the little things’ are not all that little either, and these action lead to more action!
Over the past few months, we have been lucky to receive a number of CAT stories from our wonderful supporters who have been inspired to make changes in their own lives and take action in their communities. Among these heartwarming tales, many submissions spoke of how small interactions with CAT have led to lifetime changes…here are three of them.
Small Steps for Environmental Change – Jonathan Voles
CAT member Jonathan Vowles came to CAT as a schoolboy in the 1970’s and he has been a dedicated advocate for the small steps we can all take to make our day-to-day life more sustainable ever since!
“CAT changed my life when I came to visit as part of a school group, so long ago now that I’ve forgotten exactly when! What I haven’t forgotten is the way that CAT captured my imagination and inspired me. The site itself and the environmental factors, the exhibits, the future thinking – and remember back then environmental issues, building techniques, wind power and solar power were way out of most people’s comfort zone, whereas now they are mainstream!
Over the years I’ve been a regular visitor and have been a member and supporter of CAT whenever funds have permitted. I’ve dragged my wife and kids to CAT and tried to inspire them the way I was inspired and although I’m no longer that passionate schoolboy, I have continued to speak to people about CAT and the small steps we can take to make environmental change a reality in our lives.”
The passion with which Jonathan writes about his visit and its impact is infectious and to know that he is sharing that inspiration to this day is a heartwarming read for all of us at CAT.
Ripples of Change: Switches to Home Energy – Bridget Walton
Bridget Walton’s story is a wonderful example of how the changes she has made in her own life after a chance visit to CAT have rippled out, as knowledge shared became knowledge squared!
“In the 1970’s we would holiday in Wales and would pass by the Centre and wonder what it was. We later visited and were amazed at the possibilities.
In 1981 we had a solar panel fitted to our roof to generate our own electricity and about 8 years ago we had 5 solar panels fitted to our roof to generate our own electricity. I passed my knowledge on to a friend who had 15 panels fitted to her house roof.
One visit long ago made a big impact. How buildings could be designed to be warmer and more sustainable, how paper waste could go into compost to rejuvenate soil, use of water to power the funicular railway opened up my mind to new possibilities. I have continued my journey in greener living and added PV, solar hot water, ASHP, etc to my home.”
Driving Community Change – Alison Shaw
Alison Shaw is one of our fantastic CAT members who is acting locally with the whole in mind. The projects she is working on are a heartening reminder of how important it is to act with care for each other and our planet within our community and beyond.
“Now I am retired, I spend my time gardening for wildlife (including humans!) inspired by CAT’s gardens.
I run a repair cafe, with plenty of opportunities for climate conversations with members of the public and I have been inspired to spend time climate campaigning. This includes a 5 year quest (so far) to persuade the local authorities to divest its pension scheme from fossil fuels. We are hoping that a motion to the council will be proposed in a couple of months. Progress is very slow, but we are not giving up!”
Alison was inspired to join after reading CAT’s Clean Slate magazine, feeling that it spoke to her about important environmental issues, but on a human level, with plenty of information of how to take practical steps. She is also a regular attendee of the annual CAT Conference, a place where she feels she is amongst friends who share her concerns by are also hopeful in taking action to implement change.
Alison also recently wrote a beautiful piece inspired by visits to CAT titled, Arrival.
Arrival
We walk away from the road, grateful to be leaving the traffic behind. A long bus journey delivers us breathing deeply and stretching.
Narrow lanes lead us across the river, past the sleeping cliff railway and steeply up through the woodland. The way is enclosed by trees and lush undergrowth, allowing scant glimpses beyond. The incline levels out and we see a building.
Unexpected, yet at one with the surroundings. Natural materials and enclosing branches make us feel cocooned and safe. The scene opens out like a clearing.
– Extract from Arrival, by CAT Member, Alison Shaw
‘Do the little things’
As these stories remind us, we do the little things precisely because we are part of something bigger, and our interactions, experiences and actions no matter at what scale, are worth doing.
Looking to take the first step towards making a change of your own but not sure where to start? This St David’s Day, why not take the first step and check out our free information page, book a short course, explore a CAT postgraduate course or reserve a place at the CAT conference today.
CAT Stories
It is your stories that make up the chapters of CAT’s past present and future. Your actions, large or small, contribute to our wider story and impact.
If you have a story to share about how CAT has had an impact on your life, work or experiences, we’d love to hear them.
Sustainability advice
Free, independent and impartial advice on a wide array of topics.
Short courses
We offer day and short courses covering a range of sustainability issues.