Our homes and the transport we use account for a little less than a third of Ireland’s carbon emissions.
Everyone can do their part. But while we try to get our governments and corporations to do theirs, here are some tips on what you can do to cut your personal carbon count.
Shopping list
Don’t buy what you don’t need, and do support fair-trade and ethical organisations – www.fairtrade.ie, www.ecoshop.ie and www.traidcraft.co.uk have a wide selection of green, organic and fair-trade goods. And if you are looking for presents, have you considered a virtual eco gift?
Hit the switch
Change your energy supplier to Airtricity, a company that invests in renewable energy, and save 13% on your electricity bill if you are in the Republic of Ireland.
Or switch to Ecotricity if you are in Northern Ireland. For every new customer, Christian Aid will receive £15 for work helping poor communities adapt to climate change.
Off is the new on
Turn off your TV (and mobile phone charger, computer, radio ...) rather than leaving it on standby when you’ve finished with them. Ask yourself: is the ‘convenience’ of leaving the hall light on or the TV on standby worth the, on average, €30 per year you could save if you didn’t? We’ll leave the maths to you.
Do not over fill your kettle. Only boil as much water as you need.
Reduce the number of washes you do by always washing with a full load and reducing the temperature to 30. Dry clothes outside where possible other than using the tumble dryer.
See the light
Change to energy saving life bulbs. They are a little bit dearer, but each one can pay for itself within six months and lasts up to 12 years. They last up to 12 times longer and use 75% less energy. You can also get energy efficient A-rated household appliances, which cost less to run as well as decreasing your carbon footprint. Turn off lights in rooms that are not being used.
Wrap up
Insulate your home for a warmer, cheaper and greener winter. Doubleglaze windows. Consider cavity wall insulation. Use draft excluders. Put foil behind radiators. Cover up keyholes. Keep doors closed. And, finally turn your thermostat down – just 1°C can trim 10% off your fuel usage (and your bill). Oh, and use the timer. But of course, you knew all of this already… didn’t you?
