Eco
– Congregation ‘Green Sheet’ No.1 Back to Green Sheet index
A
small proportion of the world’s current population consume a large proportion
of the RESOURCES and generate a large proportion of the POLLUTION . It is
estimated that, if everyone in the world lived the lifestyle of the average
European, we would need THREE earths to support us all.
At
home:
·
Installing at least 20cm (8 inches) depth of loft
insulation can save around 20% of heating costs.
·
Fitting a jacket
around a water cylinder may cost around £10 (DIY fitting) but save up to £20
per year.
·
Around 35% of heat energy is lost through walls that
are not insulated, but by installing cavity wall insulation up to 60% of this
heat can be saved. Installation in an average house (3 bedroom semi) costs
around £450 and costs can be recovered in savings made over about 4 years.
·
Up to 20% of heat can be lost by draughts around
windows, doors and floors. Fitting draught excluders can save heat and money. It is important
to ensure that adequate ventilation is maintained, particularly in rooms with
gas or solid fuel fires.
·
Houses with boilers older than 15 years are likely to
benefit by changing to a more fuel-efficient model. Fitting and using timer and
thermostatic controls can significantly reduce energy consumption, without loss
of comfort.
·
Fitting low-energy light bulbs requires an initial
capital outlay, but can reduce energy consumption by up to 80% and the bulbs
can last up to 10 times longer, saving both money and the need to change bulbs
frequently.
·
Taking a daily shower instead of a bath can save up to
£10 per year on your fuel bill.
·
Leaving electrical equipment like TVs on standby uses
energy. Turning appliances off at the on/off button saves this waste.
Information sourced from
Eco-Congregation resources.
Renewable
or “Green” Electricity.
Did you know that you can choose to
use only renewable or “green” electricity for your household needs? Renewable
energy doesn’t involve burning oil, coal, or gas and doesn’t produce the
‘greenhouse gases’ that contribute to climate change. Instead it comes from
harnessing the energy in water, wind, waves, the sun etc.
Most of us are connected to the
National Grid, so we can’t choose where the electricity that enters our home
comes from. When you buy green electricity, what happens is that you commit
your supplier to purchasing at least the amount of electricity that you use
from a renewable source. The more people who sign up, the more electricity the
supplier will have to purchase from a green generator.
As with any product,there are a
number of options, and some are more environmentally friendly than others. Eco – Congregation
cannot endorse a particular supplier, but:
·
Friends Of The Earth have produced a useful league
table of suppliers together with details of prices, which can be found on their
website: http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/issues/green_energy
·
Christian Ecology Link runs a climate campaign called
Operation Noah and can recommend ‘green
electricity’ energy suppliers :,. Tel.01949 861516, E-mail; noah@christian-
ecology.org.uk web: www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah
Further resources.
·
Go M.A.D! (Go Make A Difference)–365 daily ways to
save the planet.
A book of tips for sustainable
lifestyles £3.99. Tel:1795 414 963, E-mail; theecologist@galleon.co.uk,
website: www.theecologist.org
·
Sustainable Living Guide- Lifestyle actions that
reduce climate change.
A 7 page guide produced by Tearfund
(February 2004). Tel;0208977 9144, E-mail: enquiry@tearfund.org,
Website: www.tearfund.org
·
New Consumer Magazine-the UK’s Fair Trade
magazine.Tel;0131 476 4706, E-mail: editorial@newconsumer.org.Website:
www.newconsumer.org.
·
Ethical Consumer magazine. An alternative consumer magazine looking at
the social and environmental records of the companies behind the brand names.
Tel: 0161 226 2929, Email mail@ethicalconsumer.org Website:
http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/