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.
Hit the switch
Change your energy supplier to Ecotricity, a company that invests in green energy. For every new customer, Christian Aid will receive £15 for work helping poor communities adapt to climate change.
- Go to www.ecotricity.co.uk/christianaid or call free on 0800 0326 100.
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.
- Visit the Energy Savings Trust for more tips on energy efficiency in your home.
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.
- Look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo.
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?
- Find out more on insulating your home from the Energy Savings Trust.
Grow your own
With all that money you’re saving you could even think about getting a solar panel. Why not generate your own energy? Solar power is already a viable alternative in temperate Britain.
- More info on generating your own renewable energy.
- Read about how a London church went solar.
Think before you travel
We love our cars. Yet most journeys we take are of less than three miles – to the supermarket, to work, on the school run.
Where possible, take public transport, walk or cycle; buy local or get your shopping delivered; share lifts. And we love our weekend breaks – but next time go by train.
You could also check out the latest eco cars – they may be exempt from road tax, some congestion charges and parking fees.
- Find out more from Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity.
The 3 Rs
Recycle paper, bottles, cans and more through your local authority or nearest recycling bank. Reuse carrier bags and envelopes, and donate things you don’t need to charity shops. And reduce the amount of refuse you send of to landfill sites by not buying needlessly or heavily packaged goods and produce.
- Check out http://www.recyclemore.co.uk/ for ideas and info about facilities in your area.
In the bag
Ten billion plastic bags are produced each year and every single one takes 1,000 years to decompose.
Give them up in exchange for a reusable one – have you seen Christian Aid’s lovely jute bag?
- Leading the way? News from Kenya.
Clean up
Try using biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products such as Ecover, Bio D or Clear Spring. Alternatively, you could try looking in your kitchen cupboards for the great cleaning products masquerading as food…
- Read this - baking powder will never taste the same again.
Fine dining
Buying locally produced food cuts down the plane and truck emissions made to get it to your plate. Sign up to an organic box delivery scheme, such as those offered by Abel and Cole or The Ethical Food Company. Alternatively you could grow your own. And make the most of your kitchen waste by turning it into compost.
- Check out this composting guide and get your hands dirty.
Shopping list
Don’t buy what you don’t need, and do support fair-trade and ethical organisations – http://www.naturalcollection.co.uk/ and http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/ have a wide selection of green, organic and fair-trade goods. And if your looking for presents, have you considered a virtual eco gift?
- Visit Present Aid, Christian Aid's online shop, for a gift that keeps on giving
Green tips for children
Get your children in on the act by visiting Global Gang where they can find out more and play the latest eco games.
- Visit Globalgang.
