Governments and industry aren’t acting fast enough to protect the planet, so it can feel like anything we do is a drop in the ocean. Here are five small things you can do for the planet in 2026 that aren’t hard, and they can save you some money too. Too frequent washing increases electricity consumption, adds to water pollution and wears out your clothes more quickly. Reduce your shower time by one minute and you can save more than 100 litres in a week. [ How to save water: The average Irish person uses 133 litres a dayOpens in new window ]When you’re making a cuppa, boil only what you need.

Source: The Irish Times January 12, 2026 15:01 UTC