New Year’s resolutions: Every action matters

Volunteer in your spare time

Volunteering in your free time is a fantastic way to give back to your local community and have a positive impact on others. Becoming a volunteer also has plenty of physical and mental rewards and can make you a happier and healthier person.

There are plenty of charities and organisations in need of volunteers, including elderly care homes, animal shelters, and libraries. You can even volunteer here at Newquay Zoo! Without our volunteers we would not be able to offer the activities, events and all-round excellent guest experience that we do. 

Embrace sustainable energy

One way we can all be kinder to the planet is to start using sustainable heating solutions. Everyone can take small steps to reduce carbon emissions, whether that be switching to solar thermal heating or changing to a renewable energy provider. Embracing sustainable energy will reduce air pollution from fossil fuels and help to create a healthier planet for us all.

Along with the environmental benefits, sustainable energy helps to reduce dependence on imported fuels and create new jobs to support economic development.

Commit random acts of kindness

Doing random acts of kindness will spread happiness and encourage others to contribute towards a more positive community. Research shows that doing random acts of kindness toward others can boost your happiness and improve your physical and mental health.

Here are just a few suggestions to get you started:

●      Offer to collect groceries for an elderly neighbour

●      Treat someone to a cup of coffee

●      Send flowers to a family member

●      Compliment a work colleague

●      Offer to babysit for a friend

●      Smile at a stranger

Eat seasonal produce

Did you know that strawberries purchased during off-season periods have a carbon footprint that’s 7x higher than those purchased during high season?

Buying seasonal produce can reduce your carbon footprint by a significant amount. What’s more, in-season fruit and vegetables are also fresher, tastier, and cheaper! Plus, if you are able to buy locally, you’ll be helping to support your community and reduce food transport emissions too.

For tips on where to begin, the BBC has created a handy seasonal calendar which tells you when your favourite fruit and vegetables are in season.

Choose sustainable palm oil

We’ve pledged to help make Newquay a Sustainable Palm Oil Community, encouraging businesses and organisations to make the swap to sustainable palm oil, and you can also do the same too! Making the switch not only helps to ensure that the palm oil you consume has been grown in an environmentally-friendly way, but that workers are treated fairly too.

Find out more about our Sustainable Palm Oil Community project, and the ways in which you can make ethical swaps in your own life:

Reduce your meat intake

A recent report by Oxford University revealed that switching to a plant-based diet can reduce a person’s individual footprint by 73%. These dietary changes can play a vital role in the fight against climate change.

Here are five tips if you want to reduce your meat intake and support positive climate action:

1. Sign up to take part in Veganuary 2023 and join the plant-based revolution!
2. Try making your favourite recipes using plant-based alternatives e.g. swap beef mince for soya mince when making lasagne.
3. Take part in Meatless Mondays and try to reduce your meat intake slowly.
4. Buy a vegetarian cookbook and experiment with different recipes and ingredients.
5. Don’t force yourself to eat things that you don’t like. There is a huge variety of alternatives available now so explore different options and find plant-based ingredients that you enjoy!

Spend quality time with your loved ones

Spending quality time with your family and friends is a great way to strengthen bonds and improve your sense of well-being. It is especially important to reach out to loved ones who are dealing with difficulties such as bereavement or mental health issues. 

If you are looking for a great place to spend time with your loved ones, then why not visit Newquay Zoo? With 13 acres of lush tropical gardens to explore and hundreds of amazing animals to meet, you’re guaranteed to have a brilliant time together.