This year International Women’s Day took place on the 8th of March and the theme was INSPIRE CHANGE – which calls for advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way, and challenging the status quo for women’s equality to bring positive change - we’ve also made this the March theme on the 1 Million Women blog! We’ll be sharing the inspiring stories of women from all walks of life, who are changing the world for the better everyday. Never think that 1 person can’t make a difference, because we can and together we are a community of women changing the world!
Today we’re celebrating the inspiring Jo Hegerty!
Busy, happy, blessed.
2. Tell us a bit about your story, what you do, what you’re doing at the present?
I am the editor of Down To Earth Mother , an eco-living blog aimed at busy mums. I started my blog because I wanted to inspire women to make better choices for the environment and their families.
I try to keep it light and practical on Down to Earth Mother because no-one wants to have a finger wagged in their face. We talk about the big issues, but also the details of how to incorporate sustainability into our already hectic lives.
The blog has been going for a few years now and it’s high time I reward my loyal subscribers, so I’m working on a free ebook to say thanks. I’m also working on a few collaborations because I want to reach as many people as possible. If each takes just one eco-living tip from my blog and acts on it, I’m a happy lady!
3. What inspires you to lead a life that is better for the planet?
To be honest, in my darker moments I am inspired by fear. I worry about the world we are leaving for our children and future generations. But dwelling on that can make you crazy.
On a more positive note, I can envisage a really fascinating future. A post-carbon Australia with essential values restored, such as the importance of community and connectedness, local specialties and manufacturing, no more single-use plastic!
If I want to realise this vision, then leading by example is incredibly important. People are always interested when I explain why I don’t want a plastic bag, or why I brave the heat to cycle my kids to school. Some tell me I have inspired them to do the same and that makes my day.
Having a public platform such as a blog accelerates my efforts. If one other woman decides to collect her soft plastics for recycling or include car-free days in her week because of what she has read on my blog, then that’s twice as much plastic diverted from landfill or double the emissions saving.
4. What do you think are the unique strengths of women taking action on climate change and living more sustainably?
As women, whether we’re mothers or not, we have incredible influence over the day-to-day impacts of our lifestyles. We are flexible and can adapt quickly to rapidly changing situations. We also have great influence over each other, which is a double-edged sword. But if women say “it’s not okay for fashion to cost people’s lives”, for example, the idea will spread.
I target mums on Down to Earth Mother because of the great control they have over the day-to-day running of the home, and also because they are raising the next generation of eco-warriors.
5. We know the time is now to act on climate change! Do you have an inspiring message about living a more sustainable lifestyle you’d like to share with our 1 Million Women community?
Make just one change a week and you’ll soon realise that sustainable living isn’t as hard as you think!
6. What’s your top tip for living sustainably in the modern world?
Buy less, aim for zero waste to landfill, and say no to single-use plastic.
Yep, that’s three in one!!