Save UK wind turbine production
Vestas, the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world, has threatened to close the UK's only wind turbine production plant in Newport on the Isle of Wight.
Sign
a petition set up by the Vestas employees, which calls on the
Government to save the plant and safeguard the 600 jobs that will
be lost if it closes...
Support solar
Solar power can play an important part not only in helping the UK to meet our target of generating 15% of our energy from renewable sources by 2020, but also as a source of clean energy for countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Ask
your MP to sign Early
Day Motion 689, which urges the Government to ensure that solar
photovoltaics (PV) is supported in its Renewable Energy Strategy
due to be published in June...
And then ask
your MP to sign Early
Day Motion 123, which calls on the Government to develop the
potential of CSP (concentrating solar power) and a European supergrid...
Set the right climate target
The Government is currently deciding how much we should cut our climate changing emissions by 2020. It is crucial that we do what the science demands and make big cuts, immediately, if we are to avoid dangerous climate change.
Ask
your MP to sign EDM
868,
which calls for a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions within the
UK by 42% by 2020...
Join the energy revolution
Renewable energy - from the wind, waves, tides and sun - is the future. Building a thriving renewable energy industry in the UK will help us avoid disastrous climate change, generate hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions of pounds worth of business and a secure and long lasting energy supply for the UK.
Ask
your MP to write to Gordon Brown and tell him to kick-start an
energy revolution by ensuring the Government's Renewable Energy Strategy
is up to scratch...
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)