Turn your Out of Office into a Secret Sustainability Weapon

In this summer episode, Emma Burlow reflects on how to communicate about sustainability in everyday work and life, inspired by an out-of-office response from Abby Chicken. Rather than overt activism, Emma Burlow suggests six subtle but powerful strategies for integrating sustainability into your communication and encouraging cultural change—without shouting from the rooftops.

The 6 Significant Shifts for Summer

1. Update Your Out-of-Office:

• Instead of a generic auto-reply, use out-of-office messages to share sustainability stories, highlight your travel choices, or express climate concerns. Abby Chicken's thoughtful message offered a great example at 01:23.

1. Use Climate Stripes:

• The climate stripes graphic (from the University of Reading) visually tells the story of rising temperatures without words. Add them to your LinkedIn banner, email footer, or as a background in meetings (08:45).
• LINK #ShowYourStripes

1. Host a National Emergency Briefing Screening:

• Organize a viewing, either subtly for interested colleagues or as a bigger event. The National Emergency Briefing now offers workplace screenings (10:13).
• LINK National Emergency Briefing

1. Get Carbon Literate:

• Take the “carbon literacy” training—even for sustainability professionals—to refresh knowledge and direction (11:51). Emma Burlow offers a special discount for listeners (see episode audio for details).
• Carbon Literacy Training - Lighthouse Sustainability
• Use Code STS50 for 50% off individual Carbon Literacy training places on our Open courses in 2026.

1. Role Modelling:

• Share and normalize sustainable habits like walking, cycling, taking the train, or eating vegan—even just mentioning them helps shift culture (14:14).

1. Share Your Everyday Actions:

• Highlight any sustainable or community-oriented activities such as repairing items, using a tool library, or swapping clothes (18:14). Small “Trojan mice” nudges can be more powerful than grand gestures.

Key Quotes

• “Small “Trojan mice” nudges can be more powerful than grand gestures."
• “Facts and evidence don't move people. Peer pressure and feeling part of a tribe is what moves people.” — Emma Burlow 16:04

Call to Action

• Try one (or more) of the six shifts above in your workplace or community.
• Rate and review the podcast on Spotify/Apple to help more people find it (00:44).
• Connect with Emma Burlow on LinkedIn, visit lighthouse-sustainability.co.uk, and subscribe to the newsletter “The Beacon.”

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Emma Burlow | LinkedIn