Bring Climate Week Closer To Home
Climate Week is a new national occasion taking place from 21-27 March 2011. It will showcase many positive steps being taken to combat climate change and inspire many more.
During a period where the economy looks to be failing and we are all feeling the pressure as the cost of living goes through the roof, a lot of people will be less concerned with this topic - so far removed from their daily stress.
It can be very easy to lose sight of what we as individuals can do to combat climate change, especially when the news is bringing us reports of unease and unrest on a global scale.
We hope to be able to give you some day-to-day tips that can not only help you become involved with 'doing your bit' for the environment but may in some way help you to watch those pennies at the same time.
Combating climate change and living a richer life doesn't have to cost you any more than a few extra minutes of time and a moments pause to think.
Climate Week is for everyone in every part of society wanting to do their bit to help combat climate change.
But what can you really do to help?
The best place to start is at home.
Boilers and heaters account for two-thirds of the energy used in British homes, so tweaking your settings a bit can have a big impact.
Something as simple as this could save as much CO2 as switching to an electric car and will also lower the cost of your heating bill, especially as the energy tariffs are on the increase again and we are still struggling to pay for the cold winter of 2010.
Are you a runner?
We are not talking about forsaking your car and buying some running shoes (although with the prices at the pumps that wouldn't be a bad idea).
We're talking about those taps left running while you clean your teeth! Does this sound like part of your daily routine?
Next time try placing a large jug under the running tap or put the plug in while you're brushing and you will see how much water is wasted every day.
And with water meters installed in the majority of homes every drop is accounted for, so by leaving the tap on you are flushing money down the sink - literally.
How many times have you arrived at the supermarket check-out and been asked if you have your own bags?
If you are blessed with an organised mind and manage to remember your shopping list, let alone the bags from a previous shop then congratulations.
On the other hand if like a large number of us you are always leaving them stuffed into another bag in the cupboard, then don't despair!
They come in handy for every day use, so instead of paying more for pedal bin liners or bags for your waste bin just re-use your old carriers instead.
Pet owners can also make use of these spare bags by using them instead of the packs of poop-a-scoop bags that are readily on sale but always seem to run out when you need them most.
Finally, failing any of these choices you can still re-cycle the plastic bags, so nothing goes to waste.
Are you re-cycling your household waste? (Yes - that old chestnut.)
There are still a lot of people who just put everything out in the same bags for the dustmen to collect when it is really easy to take a quick look at the local council's website for re-cycling information.
Most councils now send out boxes and bags ready to use and will have a time-table of all the home collection dates; some even list the places you can go to re-cycle if you don't want to wait.
It does take a few minutes to rinse and sort out the tins and bottles from the plastics and paper items but the satisfaction of having less rubbish for the local strays to pull open is worth the effort - and you will save on buying more big black rubbish bags!
Start looking at what you are buying and the packaging that comes with it. If you can find alternative products with less packaging you will have less rubbish to sort out at the end of the week.
Another tip is to remove frozen food from its outer boxes before you pop it into the freezer and this will save energy (and money) too. Have you stopped to think how much you could be spending each year by freezing cardboard boxes and tinfoil trays?
Easy tips to help you become involved with Climate Week.
These a just a few examples of the things you can do to get involved with Climate Week and may also help you to 'watch the pennies'.
Please remember - nothing will change if you do not want it to change. If you walk away thinking this is not for you then all the ideas in the world won't change your mind - but if you are ready to start taking an active role in the future of your planet we hope these tips inspire you to make some simple changes that could have dramatic effects.
As always, we are interested in what you have to say and welcome your comments in the box below.
www.climateweek.com