Energy
The UK has set a target to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 20% by 2010.
Almost half of the UK's CO2 emissions actually come from the energy we use every day – at home, our place of work and when we travel. To generate that energy, we burn fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) that produce greenhouse gases, in particular CO2, which are changing our climate and damaging the environment.
What can I do to reduce my energy usage?
- Turn the thermostat down by 1 degree. Reducing your room temperature by 1 degree could cut your heating bills by up to 10%
- Don't leave appliances such as TVs and stereos on standby and remember not to leave mobile phones or laptops on charge unnecessarily
- A third of the heat lost in your home is through the walls. Cavity wall insulation is easy to have fitted and could save you money each year on your heating bills
- Install energy saving light bulbs. They last up to 12 times longer than ordinary bulbs and could save up to £100 over the lifetime of the bulb
Within this section
- Waste
As a nation we are producing increasing amounts of waste each year … - Water
Everyone uses water and the hotter the weather, the more we use … - Getting around
Transport is responsible for around ¼ of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions … - Consumerism We are a nation of shoppers and it's easy to forget that the products we buy can have enormous environmental impacts …