People:Power - Katie

What’s your name and what you do?

My name is Katie Piercy and I work in wildlife conservation. I largely work short term projects so I have skipped around the country a lot. Over the years I've helped reintroduce corncrakes on the Nene Washes, counted hen harriers on Scottish moors, restored the ancient meres and mosses of Cheshire and currently I am working with farmers in Shropshire to reduce defuse pollution entering the River Severn. Beyond this I have also spent time volunteering in New Zealand, looking after kiwis in the temperate rainforest; in Peru, hanging from trees surveying macaw chicks in the tropical rainforest; and driving around the rural communities of Bavaria surveying freshwater springs. It is through the work I do, and the wonderful species and habitats I have had the fortune to see, that I've come to believe that it's my duty to try and be as environmentally conscious as possible in every part of my life. 

Why are you an Ecotricity customer?

I joined Ecotricity because I believe that green energy is the way forward. I think coal and oil powered energy systems are outdated and damage our environment and our health, not to mention the social and political repercussions they bring. I was really excited when I first heard about Ecotricity and how it not only provided green energy but was building more ways of making green energy. I believe that consumers can make big changes by voting with their money, which is why I switched over. 

What makes Ecotricity stand out compared to other green providers?

I did a bit of research and I think what made Ecotricity stand out for me was their overall ethics. They don't just provide green electricity they also promise not to get involved with anyone who had to do with animal cruelty or fracking, etc. Plus I liked the fact that they donated some of their profits to conservation and animal rights charities.

Tell us more about your Eco Home – we’d love to learn more about what you've done!

Myself and my partner just bought our own home last November so we're in the early days of our ecohome. However, we've been starting at the very beginning with organic wall and wood paints made with natural ingredients like clay and orange oil. We've furnished every room with second hand furniture and light fittings. We've even managed to get second hand carpets for several rooms and reclaimed wood for our bathroom. We've cleaned and sold any items we were taking out of the house so they can be reused and sorted and recycled wood, nails and building rubble. We're filling the rooms with plants to improve the air quality. Rather than replace some of the battered old doors we've sanded and re-varnished with linseed oil.

Additionally, we're making the house more energy efficient by reinsulating the loft and replacing old doors and windows which are incredibly drafty at the moment. We've done a lot already but we have plenty more plans from installing aerators into the taps to use less water to pulling up the concrete in the garden and establishing a pond and other wildlife friendly features. We are working on a shoe string budget and so spending money where necessary, but most of what we've done has actually saved us money, either straight off or in the long run.

What do you do to be sustainable at home?

Myself and my partner started trying to reduce our plastic waste a few years ago after discussions with some close marine biologist friends opened our eyes to how serious the issue is. As part of this we made some changes to the things we buy such as ordering 5-litre refill tubs of regularly used household products like shower gel and washing up liquid. We started buying concentrated versions of things like surface and floor cleaner, which means one bottle can last us several years or more. We also replaced some plastic items with other versions such as bamboo tooth brushes, cotton buds with paper sticks and I replaced my plastic razor with a metal safety razor.

Peat is banned from the house in all forms, as both myself and my partner worked on peat bogs and know that large scale peat harvesting destroys these amazing habitats which can be home to rare species like golden eagles, adders and storks. We also ensure all the bathroom, cleaning and cosmetic products we buy are biodegradable and if possible organic. We try and avoid food waste by eating leftovers for lunch and basing our meals on what needs using up at the time. There's certainly more we can do in the long run and things we fall short on but we're constantly aiming to improve and get better.   

How do you encourage others to be sustainable?

Working in conservation means I am able to speak to large numbers of people directly through my work about wildlife and conservation. In this I try to spread messages about how living sustainably is part of wildlife conservation. Supporting your local nature reserves is really important but if climate change isn't mitigated in the next decade then the reserve may disappear anyway. I think the main thing is just to live by example and be honest and open about your successes and failures. I regularly speak to friends about ways they are trying to live more sustainably and swap tips on what has and hasn't worked.

The main thing to remember is that everyone is contributing to global environmental issues in some way, so there's no point in becoming overly critical of others. I also write a blog about my attempts to live more sustainably. I started doing this because I enjoy writing and I do a lot of research into green living, so I thought I might as well write it down to help others who are interested.  

What one piece of advice you would give to somebody looking to be more sustainable or build their own Eco Home?

Do your research. It can be easy to think you're choosing a sustainable option only to find you're replacing one problem with another. The good news is there are loads of good blogs, websites and communities out there who can help advise you. It can be quite a daunting task, but just take it one thing at a time, some will be easier and some harder but every switch you make will make a difference.

We think Katie’s story is pretty inspiring. You can read more from Katie on her blog here. And it goes to show that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing: even a few small changes can make a difference, and once you’ve got started, you may just create a snowball effect. Take a simple yet massive leap today by joining the people making a difference with their energy bills. The power is in your hands – switch today!