“Uncooperative crusties” occupying “heaving hemp bivouacs.” Hard to believe these were the words that came from our Prime Minister only a few months before an election. Actually it’s not to hard to believe considering our Prime Minister is Boris Johnson but that’s another story.

These comments made during the October Rebellion, a protest hosted by Extinction Rebellion to fight against Climate Change showed the stark reality of perhaps some of the countries opinion on what an activist or more specifically a eco-activist looks like. I know this because it’s something I hear on a regular basis.

Not always in bad humor or with bad intent. It’s often from friends making light jokes like “oh your all eco now aren’t you.” But I do often wonder what they think “all eco” really means, and why they don’t all think being more conscious is a better way for us all to live our lives.

These terms are often followed by the term Hippy. Hemp, hippy, off the grid, whatever is used to describe what is believed to be the typical climate activist or someone who tries to live more ethically, seen to be only those who wear long floaty skirts, baggy pants, have dreadlocks and nose rings. Yes of course there are members of Extinction Rebellion and other movements that dress like this and good on them, but it’s not for everyone and describing them like this, to quote Boris again, “crusty hippies” is offensive to them, dismissing them and the Climate Emergency movement.

Parents with toddler on fathers shoulders in a field. Wearing Naked Generation dress.

So what does an eco-activist actually look like?

Your lawyer, your doctor, your account, your dietitian. Women dressed head to toe in Whistles and women with nose rings and Doc Martins. They look like me. Like my Mum and my neighbour down the road.

I may use hemp based products, dislike perfumes and grow my own veg but am I what you thought a “Hippy” would look like? I guess that depends on which day you meet me but you get the point.

Hannah sits on the steps of her rewilded garden in a stalf jumpsuit, holding a coffee cup.

Do I need to go off the grid to become environmentally friendly?

Of course not.

To tackle the Climate Emergency we need to come together as communities, nations and globally. It’s doesn’t mean you have to only shop in charity shops or wear ripped jeans. In fact I would argue some of my most stylish, expensive looking clothes came from ethical brands.

To be realistic the world isn’t going to change over night and it certainly isn’t going to change to the point where everyone turns their lights off, grows all their own food and moves to a commune in the wood. Although I’ve thought about it many times, I still like living near a Co-op and a decent Sushi restaurant.

Stylishly sustainable. What does eco-friendly fashion look like?

Hannah works at her greenhouse wearing ethically made jumpsuit from Stalf studio.

For me an eco-friendly wardrobe looks like a perfectly laid out Marie Kondo style wardrobe. Minimal, beautiful natural fabrics, clothes cared for and styled.

A sustainable wardrobe can be a whole host of things, from hand me downs to charity shop finds, to the most expensive thing you’ve ever owned. An item of clothing becomes sustainable when you know where it came from. When it means something and is not brought because it was cheap, on sale and only worn a few times.

This will look different to everyone. I urge everyone to help curate their own capsule wardrobe and learn to shop sustainably.

Ethical fashion from Naked Generation. Hannah wears the hannah dress, sitting on her bedroom floor.

What does an eco-friendly home look like?

An eco-friendly home looks much like an eco-friendly wardrobe and that means whatever your home looks like to you.

Again for me, it means minimal, only buying what is essential to us and thinking about every purchase.

For me pointless buying is one of the most unsustainable things we can do, even if it is secondhand.

Most of our home is made from second hand buys, which I find easier when it comes too many items. Sideboards, tables, chairs, pots, toys are always more special to me when their a vintage finds. Mattress and sofas are some what harder. I try to do my best and research what I can. It’s not always perfect but looking after what you do buy and making it last is always the most sustainable thing you can do. Weather your a hippy or not.

Where do i start with eco-friendly living?

Become thoughtful. Think about where your products came from, who made them and what it took to get them to you. Think about where it could end up once your done with it. Then ask yourself again whether you need it and whether all that makes it worth it. Your view may have very much changed.

So have I changed your view on what it means to be eco-friendly? Do you still think it’s just for off the grid hippies? Or are you like me and just a secret closet hippy?

Hannah xxx