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Sustainability during lockdown: delete old emails

02 Jun 2020

We’ve updated our 10,000 Actions website so that you can record what you’re doing to help the environment while at home

Emails

As we all continue to spend large amounts of time at home, it has given some of us more time to think about what we can do to help the environment and live more sustainably. Now, more than ever, the impact we have on the world around us has been brought into sharp focus. As World Environment Day approaches on 5 June, reflecting on and recording the small actions or changes we are making are big steps towards helping our planet. 

Our 10,000 Actions initiative aims to provide all University staff members with the opportunity to engage in a programme of learning and positive action on sustainability through creating a personal action plan.

Deleting old emails

  • Delete old emails. Did you know that every old email stored in your inbox is using up energy? Take the opportunity to declutter your inbox. It’s estimated that deleting 30 emails with attachments is the equivalent of saving a lightbulb’s daily consumption. 
  • Do you really need to send an email response? A study by OVO Energy found more than 64million unnecessary emails are sent every day, and that if every adult in the UK sent one fewer “thank you” email a day we would save more than 16,433 tonnes of carbon a year – equivalent to 81,152 flights to Madrid or taking 3,334 diesel cars off the road. As The Guardian says: "Be rude, say nothing - and save the planet".

What you can do:

Tell us what you’re doing

Send your photos or short videos of what you’re doing at home to uninews@manchester.ac.uk and we’ll feature them on our social media channels.