Throughout December 2009, at least 60 world leaders are due to attend the Copenhagen climate summit to discuss climate change*. For individuals, this is an equally opportune moment to think about personal contributions towards climate change and how these could be reduced.
In December 2009, 60 world leaders are due to speak at the Copenhagen climate summit to discuss climate change*. At this time individuals can also think about their personal contributions towards climate change and how these could be reduced.
While using heating is an essential part of staying warm during the winter months, you might realise that you could cope using a little less than you currently are. The benefits of this are at least three-fold: better for the environment, cheaper bills, and more chances to snuggle up on the settee.
You will know if you are an energy warrior; you might have already thought about your electricity and gas consumption, even perhaps your business electricity. If you work in an office you may have suggested to your colleagues to turn off their computers and monitors when they’re not in use, and to turn off lights when they are not needed. Some businesses even have dedicated Green Committees.
If you think you have the potential to become an energy warrior, there are a few facts you can use as your arsenal. At the office, computers and monitors can account for half the electricity wasted every day. Turning a PC off fully overnight and at weekends, could give savings of 63 a year; for an office of 50 computers, that equates to more than 3,100 per year**.
UK households spend 1.2 billion worth of electricity every year on refrigeration and freezing***, so by using your inner warrior at your home you can help to reduce this figure. If your freezer has over one centimeter of ice, take out your food and store it in a cold place while you defrost the freezer. Doing this will help the freezer to work more efficiently, which will end up being cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
*BBC News. (2009). Copenhagen climate summit: 60 world leaders to attend. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8373551.stm
**Big Green Switch. (2009). Take part in an energy examination. http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/intheworkplace/energy-examination/article-1211347-detail/article.html
***Big Green Switch. (2009). Defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running at top performance. http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/aroundthehome/Defrost-freezer-regularly-running-performance/article-934908-detail/article.html
Philip Youngwood is a freelancer who writes on a range of subjects he is passionate about. This includes easy to follow tips to help consumers get the best deals and business electricity.