We are Karin and Jörgen with three beautiful kids Alma, Alvin and Anna. We are teachers living in the historic town of Kalmar on Sweden’s East Coast. We were curious to see how difficult it would beto live climate-smart so we decided to join the climate pilot program in Kalmar in 2007. How tricky could this be and which bad habits would we need to change?
Today, one and half years later, it doesn’t feel like it was too difficult. In short we consume less, drive less, cycle more and think about what groceries we buy. The biggest challenge has been making climate friendly food which meant changing our diet. Today we menu plan more, choose fruit and vegetables which are in season and try to buy more eco-food.
We love the great outdoors – skiing in winter and just getting out there regardless of the season. We have a summer cottage which we try to get out to as often as possible. The cottage has an outside loo and shower and just cold water, all very simple - but a nice contrast to the comforts of town. Jörgen has a passion for house renovation while I love relaxing drinking a coffee reading a book on the step. Of course, I don’t get around to this so often with three kids racing around.
The climate pilot program has helped us realise what is important in life and what message we should be sending to our children? Does what our family do really matter for the environment? We think so.
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