Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainability

As a local sustainability group we are often asked questions about key sustainability issues. Here are some answers to some of the most regularly asked questions, with pointers to help you get more information.

If you’ve got a sustainability question you’d like answered, please email us as hello@sustainablethreerivers.org

We plan to update this page regularly so check back to find to find out more.

How does eating meat affect the climate?

Meat and climate change are regularly linked in news headlines, but is all meat bad for the planet?

Our diet and what we choose to eat is a very personal decision, often prompting strong emotions and governed by many factors. That said, it is now widely agreed that what we eat will need to change if we are to support a sustainable future for us all.

So do we need to stop eating meat? This is a complex question and it’s important to note that not all meat is created equally. Industrially produced meat is particularly problematic in a number of ways.

Cows and sheep produce methane as part of their digestive process, which is a very powerful green house gas. Intensive farming of these animals requires lots of water and relies on grain crops to feed the animals.

Is eating white meat better for the planet ? Unfortunately not. Although chickens and pigs do not produce as much methane as cattle, intensive farming of these animals still has a negative impact on the environment. This is linked to run off of manure, particularly from chicken farms. This leaks into our waterways causing serious damage. The feed the animals eat also has serious environmental implications.

What’s the issue with animal feed and the environment? It can be hard to see the link between UK grown meat and the destruction of rainforests, but this is caused by the animals’ foods supply. Much animal food contains soy imported from places like Brazil. Rainforests and important habitats are being destroyed to make space for growing soy. As we know, these forests are crucial in the fight against climate change because they capture greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. They are also provide essential havens for wildlife and biodiversity, which are being lost due to forest clearance.

So what should we do? If you want to carry on eating meat and dairy products, focus on eating less, but better quality. Avoid industrially produced meat and instead choose products which are climate and nature friendly with higher animal welfare standards. This includes local, grass-fed meat and organic products. Check out the environmental and welfare credentials of your supermarkets and meat retailers.

How can I find out more? There are lots of articles online, but click the link below to read a post from the Soil Association (owners of our local Woodoaks Farm). You can also find out more about Sustainable Food and the issues surrounding it on our website.

How can I incorporate more plant protein into my diet? Eating less meat doesn’t mean missing out! You don’t have to eat ultra-processed meat replacements. It’s cheap and easy to conjure up healthy, balanced meals using beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds. We’d love to hear about your favourite recipes!

Why is gardening good for the environment?

Sustainable Three Rivers created a Community Garden in the heart of Rickmansworth to showcase the environmental and social benefits of gardening.

Our aims are:

• To show how plants can easily be grown for food.

• To prepare for the future by planting climate resilient and pollinator friendly plants.

• To promote biodiversity by planting a range of plants and encouraging wildlife.

• To give local residents a peaceful central space to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature.

• To run interesting, educational and fun events which include everyone.

• To offer volunteering opportunities for the local community to come together and learn about gardening.

Those of us with our own gardens have a fantastic opportunity to make them a haven for wildlife and biodiversity. If you are lucky enough to have your own green space we recommend you could:

• Grow flowers rich in nectar and pollen. Cutting your own garden flowers reduces your carbon footprint compared to shop bought ones.

• Grow food plants for butterflies and moths.

• Reduce your frequency of mowing to promote and protect insects in the garden.

• Consider creating a wildflower meadow.

• Re-imagine weeds as wildflowers.

• Dig a wildlife pond.

• Grow your own veg.

• Plant herbs to save buying them in plastic packs (or cut what you need from the Community Garden!)

• Plant a tree.

Why have trees been planted in Rickmansworth High Street?

Sustainable Three Rivers supported by Councillor Reena Ranger campaigned for trees to be planted in Rickmansworth High Street for the benefit of residents and visitors, now and in years to come.

Urban trees bring wide benefits for communities and they are needed more than ever as we face climate change. They produce oxygen whilst soaking up carbon dioxide and pollution. They can also help protect against flooding as well as keeping us cool in the summer.

What’s the problem with cheap honey?

This issue has been raised frequently in the media lately. We all consider honey a healthy food with multiple benefits, but cheap honey may not be all that it seems.

Some supermarket honey may not actually be honey at all, as it may be so highly filtered to remove all pollen and any other beneficial nutrients. It may also be bulked out with glucose syrup, or produced in mass market hives where bees are fed on sugar syrup.

Some honey may also come with very high air miles or be produced on farms using practices which are harmful to bees.

If you want to be sure your honey is good for you, for bees and for the planet, look out for locally produced. Ideally honey should be farmed using conservation bee keeping methods on farms which care for bee and pollinator populations.

There are lots of local honey producers in the Three Rivers area, including Rickey’s Alkaline Market Garden at Woodoaks Farm.

To find out more about honey or any other products you may have concerns about, take a look at ethicalconsumer.org.