Earth Hour 2024

It's Earth hour 2024 - some might challenge, how much impact does an hour make... but this year we are being encouraged not just to turn off the lights and sit in the dark (though I have run round the house turning off all the unnecessary electronics for once), but instead to take an hour to do something positive for our planet. I have settled on an hour of consideration for me to think a bit more about what I am doing at Roses + Riffraff.

I started my business wishing to be as eco-minded and sustainable as I can be, but it's not always easy is it? I won't promise everything I do is completely green. I really don't hit the mark I set for myself somedays, particularly when the curveballs hit! 

It feels like recently, supplier issues have been my failing point. I try to buy British, to minimise my air miles, however recently I have had a number of missing and late deliveries. Cut to me driving to a different supplier to buy flowers; imported and wrapped in single use plastic. A triple hit of frustration; my time, car miles & airmiles, plastics! 

I can't sit here and say I have a quick fix. So, to turn this into something that is meaningful and not just blabbering on about how I want to do the right thing, some things for me to take away and work on:

• Growing goodies in my garden -  I would love to grow my own flowers, but growing seems to be a skill that evades me. I have seedlings on the go (trying again), and I need to not give up on them like I usually do and learn from my mistakes. Surely we can do it this year?!

• Build my networks with local flower farms; buy local, British and not just take the easy route. I am lucky to have some great places nearby, with inspirational flower farms growing amazing blooms using green methods (left is a picture of Claire's field at Plant Passion - and she seriously has passion - eco inspo goals for sure)

• Be more seasonal... I am currently loving the tulips & anemones that are growing at the moment, and definitely taking my opportunity to max out on these gorgeous spring flowers. However, I need to build my knowledge on what's growing here, now and making use as much as I can. 

I will let you know how I get on... but for now, I will try and remember that small actions matter. We can't let eco-perfectionism get in the way of the everyday efforts.

Better to have many doing what they can than one perfect person. 

Earth hour: Join the Biggest Hour for Earth | Earth Hour 2024 

WWF: Earth Hour: small actions can make a big difference | WWF