Another Climate Change Warning

This morning ushers in another warning about the impact of climate change. It’s aimed at the government and can be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx24kllyye1o

I suspect the initial reaction will be 2-fold:

‘Heard it all before’ and

‘Nothing I do will make a change’.

Both understandable, but neither will help us to hand over a habitable planet to our grandchildren.

The list below includes many things that you can do. You may have already implemented some, but it’s worth a look to identify additional actions.

Will a single household make a huge difference to the global scenario? No, but when they are embedded in your daily life and copied by others that makes a huge difference so why not give it a go?

Household Carbon Footprint Reduction Checklist

Start with the low-cost actions first, then move to higher-impact ones over time.

Low-Cost / Everyday Actions

1 Turn off lights and electronics when not in use

2 Unplug chargers or use smart power strips

3 Wash clothes in cold water

4 Hang laundry to dry when possible

5 Take shorter showers (aim for 5 minutes or less)

6 Use LED bulbs in all fixtures

7 Cook more plant-based meals each week

8 Recycle and compost food scraps

9 Shop local produce and reduce food waste

10 Lower thermostats by 1-2°C in winter/raise in summer

Moderate-Cost/Medium-Impact Actions

1 Seal gaps and insulate windows/doors

2 Install a smart thermostat

3 Replace old appliances with Energy Star–rated ones

4 Install low-flow showerheads and faucets

5 Switch to a green electricity provider (renewable energy plan)

6 Drive less - combine errands or carpool

7 Set up a small vegetable or herb garden (window boxes are useful as well)

8 Buy pre-loved or durable household goods

High-Impact/Long-Term Investments

1 Install rooftop solar panels or join a community solar programme

2 Upgrade home insulation (walls, attic, floors)

3 Replace old windows with double or triple glazing

4 Switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle

5 Replace gas heating with a heat pump system

6 Add rainwater harvesting or greywater systems

7 Participate in a tree-planting or carbon offset program

Community and Lifestyle

1Support local sustainability initiatives or green policies

2 Bank or invest with climate-conscious institutions

3 Educate family and neighbours about energy-saving tips

4 Volunteer for local clean-up or tree-planting days  

For more hints and tips, search this website