Energy and climate change

Climate change is emerging as one of the major challenges facing the world today. It is caused by the build up of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, which trap heat by preventing it from escaping into space. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. It comes mainly from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas to produce energy for our homes, businesses and transport.

The latest predictions suggest that globally temperatures could rise between 1.1C and 6.4C and sea levels between 18cm and 59cm by 2100 (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007). Regional variations can be even greater. The UK will experience progressively warmer and drier summers, wetter and milder winters and more frequent extreme weather particularly heavy rainfall and heat waves.

What can I do?

Over 40% of CO2 emissions in the UK come directly from what we do as individuals (for example, heating and using electricity in our homes and driving vehicles). Every time we use energy generated from non-renewable sources we are contributing to climate change. To tackle climate change, therefore, we need to use less energy and make sure it is produced from greener sources. Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can save energy and money at home. Some of these will require no cost, others require you to spend a little money up front but the savings will quickly pay back. The average household could save up to £300 a year on energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint significantly by being more energy efficient.

Insulate

The cheapest and most effective way to reduce emissions at home is to get your house insulated. Over three quarters of the energy used in a typical UK home is for water or space heating. In poorly insulated homes a lot of heat escapes through walls, roofs and windows, meaning that it costs you more to keep your home warm. By insulating your home you can make significant savings on your energy bill. Richmond Council is offering discount loft and cavity wall insulation to all residents in the borough and will provide this for free to those in receipt of certain benefits and to those aged 70 or above.

Green Homes Concierge

Delegate the environmental management of your home to experts. Green Homes Concierge offers a tailor-made service to homeowners in London. A qualified home assessor will thoroughly check your property to highlight where energy is being lost. Then they’ll recommend a programme of improvements to reduce both your carbon footprint – and your fuel bills. For £199 you’ll receive a year’s guidance for the best improvement options and how to do them. The service includes support with the practicalities of obtaining grants, quotes and the best suppliers and products to meet your requirements – saving time, energy and the environment.

Switch on

Just one energy saving light bulb can save you £60 over the lifetime of the bulb. They last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs and the energy saved in the first year alone will pay for the new bulb(s). Most energy saving light bulbs use between one fifth and one quarter of the power of a regular light bulb. Energy saving light bulbs come in a whole range of styles to suit a variety of fittings. Remember: the wattage of a bulb tells you how much power it uses – not how much light it produces. An energy saving bulb will only use 20 watts of power to create the same light as a standard 100 watt bulb.

Pick up your free energy saving light bulb(s) from the Sustainability Unit at events across the borough and the Civic Centre in Twickenham. At the end of their life energy saving light bulbs can be returned to the household waste and recycling centre at Townmead Road, Kew, for safe disposal.