| Tips to make your life more eco-friendly
Climate change unites us all. Our homes and transport are responsible for about a third of UK and Ireland carbon emissions… But we can all make a difference. If you are interested in a more eco-friendly way of living, then make a commitment to cut your carbon outputs. Here are some tips and expert advice, including some from the Energy Saving Trust, to get you started.
1. Fit energy-efficient light bulbs and save £9 a year per bulb on your bill. When buying new appliances choose the most energy efficient. 2. Switch to a renewable electricity provider – check out wind, solar and hydro-electric providers. Remember to turn off your appliances when not in use – you could save on average £37/€55 a year.Visit www.switchandgive.com/christianaid for advice and to compare deals 3. Insulate your home for a warmer, cheaper and ‘greener’ winter. Double glaze windows, and consider cavity-wall insulation. Use draft excluders, put silver foil behind radiators, cover up keyholes and close doors. Turn your heating down (one degree saves ten per cent on your bill) and use the timer. 4. Save money and provide up to half your total water consumption by installing a simple rainwater tank. Remember to turn the tap off when brushing your teeth and have a shower instead of a bath. 5. Save food miles and aeroplane emissions by buying locally produced food when available. Sign up to an organic delivery scheme which also supports fair trade, such as Abel and Cole or The Ethical Food Company. Alternatively, plant your own fruit and veg. Make the most of your kitchen waste by turning it into compost. 6. Where possible, use public transport, bike or walk. And check out eco-cars – you may be exempt from road tax, some congestion charges and parking fees. 7. Recycle, recycle, recycle! Landfill sites are a big producer of methane – a greenhouse gas. Visit www.recyclemore.co.uk for information about facilities in your area.
www.recyclemore.co.uk 8. Christian Aid Week is in May – raise money for and awareness of Christian Aid’s climate change work and other campaigns. 9. Visit Grand Designs Live at the ExCel exhibition centre, London on 8-10 June 2007 to pick up more ideas for making your home more sustainable.
www.granddesignslive.com 10. Rediscover the pleasures of local holidays or look into responsible tourism – offset your air-miles and choose a holiday that will benefit the community you are visiting. Check out www.responsibletravel.com 11. Buy a virtual eco-gift this Christmas from www.presentaid.org. Your gift will help a community in the developing world to build a better, more sustainable future.
www.presentaid.org 12. Come to the I Count event on Saturday 4 November in Trafalgar Square. Join other Stop Climate Chaos campaigners calling on our government to act on the eve of international talks about climate change. To order copies of the event flyer call 08700 787 788. For more details visit www.pressureworks.org 13. Get your kids involved with Global Gang’s new Disaster Preparedness game. 14. Enjoy the taste of Divine chocolate! Divine, who are supporting the global garden and eco-house at Grand Designs show, are not only fair trade but also partly owned by the farmers that grow the cocoa beans.
15. Finally, update your will and leave a legacy which can be used to help poor people survive in the face of climate-related disasters, to improve their lives and help save their planet. Contact ckemp@christian-aid.org for more information.
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