Simeon Brody
If we look at the long list of 'green' improvements we are being told we should make to our lives, there is really only one which has an immediate cost and environmental benefit. This is energy saving, or not wasting expensive fuel. It makes no sense to heat your home and to have lots of that warmth leave through your roof, walls and windows. So it makes sound economic sense to insulate your loft, fill wall cavities (if you have them, there are grants available) and replace old windows with double or triple glazed units. Oh, and draughtproof that door too! This will reduce your bills and carbon footprint, as you'll be able to put your thermostat down by that magic one degree....
There are lots of other energy saving ideas around, all of them worth adopting so that they become a habit. If you have a kettle, boil the volume of water you need, not more, as this extra then goes cold again and the energy it needed to heat it up is wasted. If you only need one cup of hot water, it is much more economical to use the microwave, as only the water heats up, not an element and other hardware. Microwaving is a more energy efficient way of heating water anyway, and you soon work out how long one or two cups need to get to your preferred drinking temperature. If you're cooking something in a pan, put a lid on and you'll be able to keep it boiling using a lower setting, as less heat will evaporate off the surface of the water. And of course don't forget to switch off any electrical items with a 'standby' function at the wall as they often consume nearly as much power on standby as when in use. Doing this before bedtime will save just pennies per night, but this adds up over the year, and if as a nation we all did this we'd need fewer power stations polluting away.
Recent reports suggest that 'doom and gloom' stories about climate change may turn people off wanting (or feeling able) to do anything about it. Whether or not this is true, my column and blog will contain no doom or gloom, it is all positive. Any changes you decide to make to your lifestyle should make you feel good that you're doing the right thing, being 'part of the solution'. I am an optomist and firmly believe that individual and collective action can make a difference. It feels good to be part of a movement which is looking ahead, and rejecting behaviour patterns which are now known to be damaging the planet and the wellbeing of future generations.
A recent comment about my column asked about how essential car travel (for work) could be made greener. I am no expert on cars as I don't have one and use bike and trailer, bus or train to get around. However it would seem sensible to use a small car not a big one, and if you can use alternative fuels (electric or biodiesel) that would reduce your impact too. In York we have a shared hire-car scheme called WhizGo, and the Council, University and NHS Trust have collaborated in a project called carshareyork@york.gov.uk which also helps reduce the number of cars on the road. Nationally there are several schemes, including www.nationalcarshare.co.uk , www.liftshare.org , www.freewheelers.co.uk and www.IsAnyoneGoingTo.com. If you have used any of these, please let me know if they are any good and I'll pass on your experiences.
Hi John,It was wonderful to read your blog and all the different ideas and suggestions you have to improve our green life style.
It is great to have someone like you that cares so much about the planet and inspiring too!you make it all sound so easy,which it is once you put your mind into these basic changes,I will carry on reading your blog and pass it on to my friends here in USA,if ok with you.
Please carry on with yuor good work and look forward to reading each time,thank you for your care .
fan of yours! Kirti