We’ve got a step-by-step guide to making the switch below, as well as other ways to fight for system change. Your money is powerful: use it to help the planet.
Team Gather x
Low-impact living: our top tip this month
Wanna break up with your bank? Here's how. At Gather we've gone with Starling Bank, and some of our personal accounts are with Triodos UK.
Now you know the truth about your current bank, make the switch! Ethical Consumer rates Triodos, Cumberland BS, Nationwide, Monzo and Starling best.
Spread the word. Encourage others to make the switch. Tweet about it, and email your bank to let them know why you're leaving them.
That's it. You're done. Have a cup of tea and put your feet up, knowing you've taken a huge step to fight climate change - from your sofa.
Spotlight on... greening Gather's bills
Let's look at a couple of other ways we keep Gather's finances green - and how you could, too.
Our internet provider. Why might your broadband not be green? Well, apart from the likely tax avoidance, their data centres might not be run on renewable energy and they might not have strong enough policies around the use of conflict minerals. So we use Green ISP - a small, independent, not-for-profit, UK company that buys from renewable energy companies. They work with Treesponsibility to offset their carbon emissions and plant a tree for every new customer.
Our insurance provider. Like banks and pensions, insurance providers have huge amounts in investments. Is your home, car or travel insurer making an attempt to address the climate impact of its investments? Gather uses Naturesave. 10% of their premiums go to environmental and conservation projects. Check out Insure Our Future - a coalition pressuring insurance companies to get out of fossil fuels.
Join: at uni? Get involved with the divestment movement. Make sure your university excludes the fossil fuel industry from their investment portfolio.
Join: not at uni? Get involved with Go Fossil Free and help divest London, from local councils to faith groups. For fossil free culture, check out the Art Not Oil Coalition and BP or Not BP.
~ all about you ~
We'd love to know: what've you been learning - or unlearning?
Any local eco-related happenings you'd like us to shout about?
And how can we help you on your journey to a low-impact life?