Climate change is already affecting communities around the globe, and attempting to mitigate its effects is sure to be the biggest challenge of this generation. The energy we use – the kind and the quantity – is the single biggest driver of climate change, and so it is imperative that we move as a society towards low-carbon solutions. Along with governments and institutions, individuals can do a lot to help.

Tips

Here are some of our favourite tips for saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint.

  • Consider switching to a green energy supplier. There are a number of options for competitive companies that supply green energy and are investing in renewable infrastructure, such as Ecotricity, Good Energy and Green Energy.
  • You’ll have heard this one before, but turn off unused appliances at the plug. Appliances on standby or energy-saving mode still consume loads of energy, and it costs you money too – this may account for up to 16% of your energy bill.
  • If you haven’t already, be sure to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
  • Those of us working on computers all day can make a big impact by turning down the brightness of our screens; going from 100% to just 70% brightness can save 20% of your monitors energy.
  • Dress for the temperature – both yourself and your home. Making sure that your house or room is well-insulated can save a lot of energy. As well, putting on a jumper before reaching for the thermostat makes a big difference. Turning down the temperature just 1 degree can save over 300kg of CO2 per year!
  • Set your hot water temperature and timer smartly. As well, insulating a hot water tank can save over 500kg of CO2 per year (and more than £100 on energy bills)!
  • Run dishwashers and washing machines only when they’re full. This reduces the number of times they run and uses energy more efficiently. On top of that, hang clothes to try; drying in a machine uses 4 times more energy than washing. In the summer months alone line drying will save 65kg of CO2.
  • Plant some trees. Trees take carbon out of the air, and cities like London can use all the trees they can get. Trees for Cities holds many volunteer planting events.

Resources

Here are a few resources to help you learn more and implement change.

Sources

Energy Saving Trust, Green Energy, Harvard Sustainability, DECC