Support renewables
The UK renewables industry needs a major boost. Last year the Government signed up to an EU target that would commit us to generating 15% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020, but now they are proposing changes to weaken it.
Ask
John Hutton MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise
and Regulatory Reform, to support a strong renewables target and
help us fulfil our potential of becoming a world leader in renewable
energy and climate change...
Send
a message in support of the Humber Gateway offshore wind farm,
which would have up to 83 turbines, generating enough power for up
to 195,000 homes...
The Big Ask
 |
The Climate Change Bill is making its way through the Houses of Parliament, and the important thing now is to persuade the Government to make the Bill tough enough to ensure we do our fair share to avoid dangerous climate change... |
Email
Gordon Brown and David Cameron and urge them to join the Lib Dems to support
an 80% target and the inclusion of international aviation and shipping
in the Bill...
Ask
your MP to sign Early Day Motion 736 in support of a strong
Climate Change Bill (or thank them for doing so if they already have)...
Visit The
Big Ask website and book a seat on a virtual flight to demand
the inclusion of aviation emissions in the Climate Change Bill...
Low-carbon local plans
The Government has published a national policy for tackling climate change, which local councils should use when putting together plans for your area.
Email
your council and ask them to ensure that any new developments
are considered in light of this latest policy on climate change...
The Big Switch
 |
A number of energy suppliers now have green tariffs for electricity, which guarantee that the power you use comes from renewables such as wind and hydroelectrics. The best of these are Ecotricity and Good Energy. |
For a price comparison and more information, see our online guide to making the Big Switch!
Make your home more energy efficient
One quarter of the UK's overall carbon dioxide emissions come from our homes. To stop heat escaping, insulate your home, use draft excluders and thick curtains in winter. Save energy by using low energy lightbulbs, turning appliances off after use rather than leaving them on standby, and switching off lights when you leave the room.
For more information, call the Energy Efficiency Helpline on 0845 727 7200, or visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
Avoid air travel for short journeys
Over short distances (less than 500 km), air travel on average produces around three times as much carbon dioxide per passenger than rail (or in the case of Eurostar, ten times more!). Aviation generates nearly as much CO2 annually as that from all human activities in Africa.
Green your fridge
Fridges do not need to be kept any colder than 3 degrees Centigrade (any colder just wastes energy). Never dump your old fridge, get it safely recycled. HCFCs and HFCs used in refrigeration equipment make a significant contribution to the greenhouse effect. Greenfreeze fridges are now widely available and run without the use of HCFCs or HFCs.
(Certain actions taken from 'Go MAD!', published by The Ecologist)