Step up to the challenge by ditching the lift for two months.
By taking the stairs, you don’t just save yourself from awkward elevator moments (while building buns of steel), you also save lift-loads of carbon.
Sound good? Getting started couldn’t be easier… just start stepping!
Here are a few reasons to take action.
Click for more info or scroll to read them all.
Less trips on the lift = less electricity used.
It’s tricky to work out exactly how much electricity you’ll save by ditching the lift - it all depends on the lift model, building size and a few other factors. On average, one ride saves 0.3kWh1. That’s about the equivalent amount of electricity used to boil a kettle three (and a bit) times2.
Moral of the story? Every bit counts!
Climbing stairs is great exercise. It burns 23% more calories than running, 250% more than swimming and 63% more than bicycling. It’s also gentler on your joints than most other cardio3.
What’s more, according to a Harvard University study, climbing at least eight flights of stairs a day can reduce mortality rate by up to 33%4! While it’s busy saving your life, stair climbing also releases endorphins and natural pain relievers, which can lift your mood and energy levels and reduce tension)5. Feeling grumpy or stressed? There’s your answer!
more calories are burned climbing stairs than walking briskly.4
In September 2017, an historic agreement was signed by UN member nations agreeing to work towards 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030, otherwise known as the SDGs.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals alike. We can - and must - all play our part.
By making the 'Step up' pledge, you are contributing in your own small way to the following SDG targets:
3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
This one’s preeeeety easy… just look for the stairs and start climbing. You might want to do a few gentle stretches if you’re climbing more than a few flights.
If (at first) there are more stairs than you can handle, you can always climb as far as possible and then jump in the lift. You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll get fit enough for the lot.
For bonus points (and extra motivation), buddy up with someone at work and save double the energy while chatting your way to the top!
Pledges
in total
CO2
pledged
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About 80% of the time I used the stairs, only used the lift if I get a first aid call or more than 4 floors and I'm late.
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I like the ideas of do nation. It gives me incentive to try to make this a better world
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I feel positively good about it!
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Made me think about my actions, however small, contributing to wider change and the impact this can have on the environment.
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hard work but i did it !!!! when i wore high heels i had to cheat
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After I got stuck in the lift for an hour, I started taking the stairs more often. I would say, I now take the stairs 95% of the time. I feel healthier.
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Super great idea, I was really on it, had to get back to using the lift a for a couple of days after the half marathon though because legs were hurting a bit lol
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I take all stairs and go up the escalators. this is also good in case of an emergency. this is my gym routine
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I take the stairs always...Great exercise and much faster than the elevator!
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I only used the lift once when it would have been unsafe to not do so (I was carrying soup to my desk) It is easy to stop using the lift - I'll not go back
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That's probably the pledge I was aware of all the time. It also helped in other ways than just saving power. Good for health and also good to engage people taking the stairs together.
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It was good exercise, for a good cause, and should be continued.
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Just a case of making a concious decision at the ground floor and persuading those around you to do the same!
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A good pledge challenge.
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Very healthy exercise and it motivated me to enrol at the gym.
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The lifts in PG sometimes are broken, so the best way to get on 3rd floor is to take the stairs! Surprise! I have met some pretty boys in the stairs!
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In office nailed it ... and got someone else in the game too Tube not as good ..... but will continue to try and improve
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It is good to walk. Walking up stairs is sometimes hard, but I find it great to be more conscious about the health of the earth and myself.
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I'm an official stair taking master. Capable of taking the stairs at least twice a day, I am a formidable opponent to anyone taking the lift (although they'll get there quicker).
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This was a very easy task and keeps you healthy at the same time!
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I don't even remember what lifts feel like!
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Only took the stairs at a friends house into the 5th floor before a night out(didn't wanted to be sweaty) and twice in a uni building where I couldn't find the stairs!
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The 8 flights got much easier towards the end of each week - but mornings are still tough to stick with it!
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Enjoy stairs its time to raise the heart rate
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Managed apart from when necessary eg. With a buggy
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We're all about no lifts unless absolutely necessary
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failed when I had heavy bags otherwise ive tried harder
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Regularly take the stairs to the 7th floor!
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Feel better for it to!
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What is lift? A box with sweaty people? I'd rather get sweaty myself on stairs!
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I don't even look at the lift as an option any more!
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So many stairs at Stratford International !!! And no stairs available to access 75b rooftop. Nailed it not stopping !!!
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Its amazing how a simple change like this is not difficult and just makes you conscious of being more active.
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It was a healthy thing to do so we like it
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This is keeping fit and save me time waiting for the lift.
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I don't take lifts anymore! I even walk up and down escalators.
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Using stairs at all times definitely feeling the benefit of it
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Avoid the lifts in the offices wherever I can - now climb on average 12-15 flights of stairs every day.
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This has probably had the biggest impact - I've noticed I'm fitter having climbed at least 6 flights of stairs a day, and it's been a simple switch to make. It's also the biggest conversation starter of all my pledges as I constantly see people at the bottom of the lift and have to explain why I'm taking the stairs...
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Great exercise and strengthened my bad knee
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Feel the burn - I swear my legs look better already!
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Realised how much better I felt taking the stairs not just at work but at other locations as well so where possible never use the lift anymore :)
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Easy to complete.
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At times it was awkward, but it in the end it just became habit taking the stairs. I actually met a few of my classmates that don't take the lift this way.
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To start off with it was difficult, but it definitely got easier the more I used the stairs- and it makes you feel better (and fitter) after climbing the stairs and not getting breathless! :)
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This was easier than I first thought. I will always use the stairs in future.
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Love passing people queuing for lifts and escalators!
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Found this pledge eye opening and will probably never use the elevator again or at least the most part of my healthy life. Taking the stairs up or down is more healthy and is very much needed form of exercise for me.