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Minimize your carbon footprint
Today it is more important
than ever before to minimize your footprint.
Not only are the developed western countries
producing more and more carbon emissions, but there is a growing problem as
the population in Africa and Asia start living improved lifestyles which
consume more energy.
We need to lead the way...
Did you know... Electricity is one of
the biggest producers of carbon emissions, so every time you make a coffee
or turn the television on you are adding to global warming.
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| Here's a
list of simple things you can do immediately,
which will start to reduce your contribution to global warming. The
items in this list |
| will cost you no money at
all and will in fact save you money. |
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Sign up to a
green energy supplier, who will supply electricity from renewable
sources (e.g. wind and hydroelectric power) - this will reduce your
carbon footprint contribution from electricity to zero
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Turn it off when not in use (lights,
television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc. etc. ...)
Click here to find out which electrical items in your household are
contribute the most to your Carbon Footprint
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Turn down the central heating slightly (try
just 1 to 2 degrees C)
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Turn down the water heating setting (just 2
degrees will make a significant saving)
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Check the central heating timer setting -
remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for
work
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Fill your dish washer and washing machine
with a full load - this will save you water, electricity, and washing
powder
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Fill the kettle with only as much water as
you need
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Unplug your mobile phone as soon as it has
finished charging
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Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly
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Do your weekly shopping in a single trip
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Hang out the washing to dry rather than
tumble drying it
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Go for a run rather than drive to the gym
The following is a list of items
that may take an initial investment,
but should pay for themselves over the course of 1-4 years through savings
on your energy bills.
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Fit energy saving
light bulbs
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Install thermostatic valves on your
radiators
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Insulate your hot water tank, your
loft and your
walls
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35% of heat generated in the house is lost
through the walls. Installing
cavity wall installation to a medium size house could reduce your
heating bills by up to £100 per year
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By installing 180mm thick
loft insulation you could stop about 25% of your heating escaping
through the roof
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Recycle your
grey water
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Replace your old fridge / freezer (if it is
over 15 years old), with a new one with energy efficiency rating of "A"
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Replace your old boiler with a new energy
efficient condensing boiler
Travel less and travel more
carbon footprint friendly.
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Car share to work, or for the kids school
run
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Use the bus or a train rather than your car
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Don't use domestic flights (e.g. from London
to Edinburgh), use a train or a coach.
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Take the ferry or channel tunnel instead of
flying to France
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See if your employer will allow you to work
from home one day a week
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Next time you replace your car - check out
diesel engines. With one of these you can even make your own Biodiesel
fuel.
Find out more about Biodiesel.
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When on holiday - hire a bicycle to explore
locally rather than a car
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When staying in a hotel turn the lights and
air-conditioning off when you leave your hotel room
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Ask for your room towels to be washed every
other day, rather than every day
As well as your primary carbon
footprint, there is also a secondary footprint
that you cause through your buying
habits. If you buy foods out of season at the super market, then these will
have either been flown or shipped in from far away - all adding to your
carbon footprint.
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Reduce your consumption of meat
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Don't buy bottled water if your tap water is
safe to drink (especially if it has been shipped from far away)
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Buy local fruit and vegetables, or even try
growing your own
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Don't buy fresh fruit and vegetables which
are out of season, they may have been flown in
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Try to buy products made closer to home
(look out and avoid items that are made in the distant lands)
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Buy organic produce
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Don't buy over packaged products
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Recycle as much as possible
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Think carefully about the type of activities
you do in your spare time. Do any of these cause an increase in carbon
emissions? e.g. Saunas, Health clubs, restaurants and pubs, go-karting
etc. etc...
In
addition there is your footprint at work.
Do you leave your computer and monitor on when you are away from your desk?
Do you leave the lights on when you leave the office? Do you print documents
unnecessarily - and could you print two pages to a side and double sided? |