Our homes and the transport we use account for more than a third of the UK’s carbon emissions and a little less than a third of Ireland’s.
Everyone can do their part. But while we try to get our governments and corporations to do theirs, here are some tips on what you can do to cut your personal carbon count.
Shopping list
Don’t buy what you don’t need, and do support fair-trade and ethical organisations – Natural Collection and Traidcraft have a wide selection of green, organic and fair-trade goods. And if you're looking for presents, have you considered a virtual eco gift?
Hit the switch
Change your energy supplier to Ecotricity, a company that invests in green energy. For every new customer, Christian Aid will receive £25 for work helping poor communities adapt to climate change.
Off is the new on
Turn your TV (and mobile phone charger, computer, radio...) off standby when you’ve finished with them. Ask yourself: is the ‘convenience’ of leaving the hall light on or the TV on standby worth the, on average, £37 per year you could save if you didn’t? We’ll leave the maths to you.
See the light
Change to energy saving life bulbs. They are a little bit dearer, but each one can pay for itself within six months and lasts up to 12 years. If every home in the UK fitted two, it would save enough electricity to power every streetlight in the country. They last up to 12 times longer and use 75% less energy You can also get energy efficient household appliances.
Wrap up
Insulate your home for a warmer, cheaper and greener winter. Doubleglaze windows. Consider cavity wall insulation. Use draft excluders. Put foil behind radiators. Cover up keyholes. Keep doors closed. And, finally turn your thermostat down – just 1˚C can trim 10% off your fuel usage (and your bill). Oh, and use the timer. But of course, you knew all of this already… didn’t you?
Next page: Grow your own to green dishwashing
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