What Can I Do?
The bottom line on reducing your carbon footprint is to consume less. Reduce, reuse and recycle is still the most important message. Reduce means cutting the amount you use in the first place, e.g. turn down your central heating thermostat to save fuel. Reuse means to use things again (and again and again), e.g. buying second hand clothes/furniture from antique/retro shops and from sites such as Ebay. Recycle means to use things that have already been used to make new things, e.g. recycling glass.
Energy
Energy use in our homes has doubled over the last 30 years, and is projected to rise by another 12% by 2010. Back then the average home might have had a fridge, a TV and a hifi. Today’s homes are full of household gadgets now include phone chargers, dishwashers, microwaves, DVD players, computers, satellite receivers and Wi-Fi boxes. The Energy Saving Trust has calculated that all the new entertainment and consumer electronics products in British households by 2020 will need another 14 average-sized power stations just to keep them running.
80% of your home energy goes on heating and hot water. Save money and energy in your home by:
- Having your home properly insulated
- Switching things off when not in use, don’t leave on standby
- Unplug things, and don’t charge your mobile phone overnight
- Turning your central heating thermostat down by one degree
- Buying low energy electrical and white goods
Don’t immediately opt for high tech options such as micro wind turbines and solar panels as the payback from these is over a much longer period than home insulation.
How you wash clothes can affect the environment:
- Washing clothes at 30 degrees saves energy and carbon emissions - today’s detergents wash just as well at low temperatures
- Avoid tumble drying whenever possible
- Choose washable clothes over dry-clean only: some dry-cleaning chemicals are toxic
- Only put the washing machine on when you have a full load
Travel Smarter
Individual car travel is responsible for the majority of climate change impacts from travel. If you’re buying a new car, look for the fuel efficiency label to choose a more efficient model. This will cut your carbon emissions and save you money on fuel and Vehicle Tax.
If you have a car, try using it less, especially on shorter journeys. Walking and cycling are zero carbon options that will help get you fitter. Taking public transport will cut your carbon footprint.
If you have to use your car try eco-driving. Changing your driving style to eco-driving means less fuel burnt, lower emissions and more money in your pocket. Its easy, all you have to do is:
- Change gear between 2000 and 2500 rpm - use your rev counter to check as it usually much earlier than you think
- Drive smoothly, avoid rapid speeding up and braking by anticipating traffic conditions
- Where the speed limit is 70mph, try driving slower, around 55 mph is optimum fuel efficiency
- Keep your tyres inflated, two thirds of all cars have under inflated tyres
- Take off roof racks, bars and boxes
- Use your air conditioning less
If you want access to a car without the expense and hassle, why not join Sheffield’s car club. Visit www.whizzgo.co.uk for more details.
Alternatively use the South Yorkshire Liftshare database to find out how you can car share with someone. www.carsharesouthyorkshire.com
Think whether you need to travel by air - reducing the amount you travel can reduce your impact on climate change so try holidaying nearer to home.
Taking one longer holiday will have a lower impact than going on several short trips if you are flying each time.
There are companies that offer holidays which aim to minimise impacts on the environment - they can help find accommodation with low energy needs and activities that benefit local communities.
Also consider taking a trip where all or part of your holiday gives something back, there are many opportunities to volunteer and help with projects that conserve and improve habitats, nature reserves and the lives of local people.
There are reliable accreditation schemes for green accommodation, such as the European Ecolabel and the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Carbon Offsetting should be a final choice if air travel is unavoidable. Although it can help reduce the impact of your activities in the short term, offsetting is not a long-term solution to global climate change and is not a substitute for reducing emissions at their source.
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