“It’s Not Too Late To Put the Brakes On Climate Change”: Hannah Rochell’s Low-Impact Living Tips

Hannah worked at publications including The Times, InStyle and The Standard before pivoting her career seven years ago when she didn’t want to write about fast fashion or trends anymore. Because, you know, the climate crisis. She slowed down her life by writing exclusively about low-impact fashion and lifestyle for publications and brands (you’ll see her name at the top of our Sunday newsletters), as well as moving from London to the somewhat more chilled-out location of the Isle of Wight. Here’s how she lives a more Earth-conscious life these days.

Latest low-impact life reset 
“After years of threatening to do so, I am taking sewing lessons. I'd love to be able to make my own clothes from the stash of vintage fabrics I have been saving up for years, as well as to adapt things that I already own to give them a new lease of life. I'm still at quite a basic level, but I'm loving it!”

Change that has brought you the most joy 
“I love the thrill of growing my own vegetables, although this year has been a bit trickier than usual thanks to the long, dry summer. My favourites are tomatoes and a variety of beans, and I always tailor my meals to suit whatever is in season.”

Favourite planet-positive products
“I’ve been using Upcircle for years and it’s so good. I’m lucky enough to live near two zero-waste shops and they both offer Upcircle refills, which is really handy. My favourite products are the day and night creams, as well as the facial oil, but I’ve just started using the Upcircle shampoo and conditioner too [both available at BRiMM] and it’s brilliant.”

All-time top second-hand find
“We found a 1960s G-Plan sideboard in a charity shop for £50 about 15 years ago. We love it so much that when we moved and renovated our house, we gave the measurements to our builders to make sure there was space for it in the spot we wanted to put it. People often comment, saying ‘that space looks like it was made for your sideboard!’, and it literally was. If it's ever in shot on an Instagram post, it never fails to get a compliment.”

Favourite walking route  
“This is a really hard one. And although I love so many walks locally here on the Isle of Wight, I think it would have to be the Great Glen Way between Fort Augustus to Invermoriston with stunning views of Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands. It’s pretty challenging, but totally worth it.”

Most joyful weekend moment
“I do yoga every Saturday morning which is a brilliantly positive way to start the weekend. During the summer months, our teacher moves our class to the beach which adds that extra level of special to the practice. And the fact that my best friends also come to the class is lovely because we then plan what we’re going to get up to together before we go back to work on Monday.”

Plant-based dish of dreams
“You can’t go wrong with a veggie chilli. I love making a massive vat of the Anna Jones version when we have friends over in the winter months, served with baked potatoes. Although I also love it when they don’t eat it all and I can enjoy the leftovers!”

Song that lights you up
“It has to be ‘Blackbird’ by the Beatles. As a kid, my dad played in a band (actually, he still does at the age of 82!) and I have lovely memories of him strumming away at ‘Blackbird’ on his acoustic guitar in the garden. It wasn’t until much later in life that I learnt that Paul McCartney’s inspiration for the song was the Civil Rights movement, which made me appreciate the song so much more.”

Independent coffee shop that makes you happy 
“I don't like coffee, but that doesn't stop me loving coffee shops! Télescope in Paris, tucked down a side street in the 1st arrondissement, is a refreshing change from the tourist traps nearby. I also love Lille Petra in Copenhagen, probably because it's more of a café, but I'm assured the coffee is great. It's worth trying the whipped avocado, granola, strawberries and honey for breakfast. And a shout-out for my local, Lagom in Bembridge on the Isle of Wight – with cool Scandi vibes, my husband rates it ‘the best coffee on the Island’”.

Indie record store tip 
“I absolutely love Sounds and Grounds in Cowes on the Isle of Wight – a coffee and record shop all in one, and it’s dog-friendly too. As well as having a brilliant and often quirky selection of vinyl, the glass tables house a host of old ticket stubs. When I was there recently I realised I had actually been to three of the gigs on our table!”

Second-hand store or market worth a mooch
“I would recommend the whole of my home town, Ryde on the Isle of Wight. It's always had really great, very well-stocked charity shops (I bought the aforementioned sideboard in one), but it also has some great curated vintage from the likes of The Velvet Pig for fashion, and Jack's, Dotty for Lifestyle and Antiek for furniture.”

Causes you give to every month
“I’ve been donating to Cancer Research UK every month since I first started earning a proper wage in my twenties.” 

Podcasts that lift you up 
“I’m afraid that I am one of those people that listens to true crime, ghosts and UFO podcasts!”

Person who inspires you 
“I met a lady in her 80s through the sea swimming group I join sometimes. She teaches swimming lessons (I took some last year) and takes part in competitions all over the country (and wins them!). I want to be like her when I am older!”

What gets you every time 
“A well-dressed elderly person. I’ve been known to well up at the sight of an older lady with a matching bag and shoes, for example, and I once got all teary about an elderly gentleman having Sunday lunch in a pub who could have walked straight off a Prada catwalk.” 

What is love
“True friendship and love go hand in hand.”

Issue you care most about changing 
“There’s so much at the moment, but it all comes back to the climate crisis for me because it affects all of us collectively as inhabitants of this planet. And because it’s not too late to put on the brakes!”

Check out Hannah's celebration of slow fashion and sustainable style at Slowette.com and sign-up to The Planet Positive Edit, the BRiMM Sunday newsletter she also writes, now