What will you be doing March 29 at 8.30pm? Having a drink with friends? Having dinner? Spending time with your family? Instead of sitting with the lights on, why not spend an hour by candlelight and support WWF’s worldwide event Earth Hour.

Starting in 2007, Earth Hour asks individuals, businesses and governments to switch out their lights for one hour – at 8.30pm local time, whatever your location around the globe. The idea is to allow those who take part to show they are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact, and for many people it is the first step to making more significant, sustainable changes to their lifestyle.

Last year 157 countries took part, with over 10 million people in the UK alone turning off their lights at 8.30pm [1]. This year organisers WWF hope even more people to join in, with “Amazing Spider Man 2” actors Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone each pledging their support to one of the Earth Hour Blue crowdfunding projects [2].

While not every light should be turned off, for example safety lights, traffic lights etc. [3], you can choose to turn off overhead room lights, lamps, computers and other electronic devices such as televisions, and other similar light sources.

An event like Earth Hour raises awareness all over the globe about the importance of conserving energy and becoming a more sustainable society. Making the focus lighting is highly relevant to this, as typically 7% of a household’s energy bill comes from lighting [4].

There are some easy and quick ways to instantly reduce your lighting costs:

• Use natural daylight – when it’s light outside keen curtains and blinds open to let in sunlight, rather than having lamps on.
• Turn off lights when you leave the room – having lights on in empty rooms keeps your bills higher than they need to be.
• Use sensors and timers so lights go off automatically when they aren’t needed.
• Make sure the bulbs you buy are energy efficient – Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are both readily available across the country.
• Shop for Energy Efficient lights at https://www.energysavingwarehouse.co.uk/store/Lights

References

[1] WWF. Earth Hour in 2013. 2014. https://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/about-wwfs-earth-hour/earth-hour-in-2013

[2] Earth Hour. Earth Hour & Spider-Man Join Forces to Save the Planet. 2014. http://www.earthhour.org/be-superhero-planet

[3] Earth Hour. Celebrating Earth Hour. 2014. http://www.earthhour.org/celebrating-earth-hour

[4] Energy Saving Trust. Lighting. 2014. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Electricity/Lighting

In most countries, oil is the main fuel source used for transportation. However, this use has lead to a dependence on imported and expensive oil for many countries around the globe, and with oil supplies in decline the move to more renewable and sustainable resources is essential. Oil prices have been fluctuating for decades, and in recent years have risen steeply with prices expected to continue fluctuating, especially due to the fact that the vast quantity of reserves are in politically volatile areas, such as Iran and Iraq. These future increases will particularly adversely impact low income households ‘for who transport accounts for a higher proportional share of household income.’ [1]. Oil discovery has also decreased, with more oil currently being produced than discovered. Recent oil field discoveries such as in the Gulf of Mexico are only a fraction of the volume of previously found locations in the middle east.

Peak oil, a theory widely popularised by US geologist M.K. Hubbert, is ‘…the point in time when oil production reaches its maximum annual rate, after which the annual production rate declines each year.’ [2]. Many geology and supply experts predict that the worldwide peak in oil has either occurred, or will happen in the next few years. Since oil is a finite resource, a move to renewable or sustainable fuel sources is essential, especially ones with a lower carbon content than oil. However, over time society has become so dependant on oil that many alternatives are in their early stages, and need more research and funding to make them competitive with petroleum products.

One major issue that needs to be addressed in the move from oil to more sustainable fuels is consumer preferences. Information detailing the available and soon to be available alternatives is essential, as a lack of information can lead to market failures, which ‘can be caused by insufficient and incorrect information’ [3]. Confusion and doubt over the reliability and costs of new fuels and technologies can lead to public distrust and unwillingness to convert to them, while many consumers are also unaware that options for more fuel efficient cars exist, or even that different vehicles emit different levels of pollutants. Both education and information are essential to help facilitate a move to new technologies and fuels. Try Energy Saving Warehouse’s Lesto Survey to learn about new technologies

Maturity and reliability of fuel sources and technologies is another issue to be addressed. For instance, hydrogen is the most abundant element in the the universe and can be separated for use in fuel cells from other elements by one of three processes: thermal, electrolytic or photolytic [4]. While photolytic processes are still under development, both thermal and electrolytic processes are available commercially. However, costs are still high, and often fossil fuels are required as the input energy for the separation process. There are also some major barriers to the use of hydrogen fuel cells, such as the storage of hydrogen, transport infrastructure, refuelling facilities and cost [5]. While hydrogen fuel cells will likely be a part of the transport sector in the future, there needs to be currently available bridging technologies or fuels to help facilitate the current move from oil.

Infrastructure must also be considered when looking at alternative fuels or technologies: will current engines need to be modified? Are there appropriate transportation and fuel storage facilities? How will recharging stations work? The market for electric cars is steadily growing, however ‘EV charging both in the home and in the public realm is an area that requires careful consideration with regards to regulation’ [6]. Governments and private investors must be willing to invest in the high capital costs that this change in infrastructure will bring about.

Other major issues include the cost of the technologies or fuels, which would be expected to become competitive with oil, or even cheaper, as oil stocks decline and the price rises. Regulatory issues also need to be examined, specifically governments roles in supporting alternative fuels or technologies, such as through subsidies, tax breaks or a range of other policy options, such as to: ‘Implement mandatory fuel economy standards and/or low and zero emission vehicle requirements’ and to ‘Ensure building codes for new or renovated sites (residential, commercial, industrial) to support EVs by requiring dedicated electrical capacity and parking spaces’ [7].

Finally, one highly divisive point in the debate over biofuels is the use of food crops for transport fuel, especially in developing countries where food shortages are already a very serious problem. While using crops instead of fossil fuels reduces emissions during the driving phase, a careful balance needs to be maintained to ensure that crops grown as biofuels are not diverted from those who need it most. Resource availability can vary widely from location to location, with some geographic regions ideally suited to growing large volumes of crops, while other regions may be unable to sustain the growth needed to produce sufficient quantities of fuel. A large amount of water is required to grow biological feedstock, with present volumes seen as unsustainable to increase production of crops. It has been estimated that growing corn as a biofuel results in the equivalent input of 283 gallons of water per mile driven in a car, compared to 0.17 gallons for grain, and only 0.04 for petroleum [8]. Hot and dry regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia simply do not have the water resources to produce the required volumes of crops to become a viable alternative to oil, though future scientific advances in irrigation and farming practices may help to reduce water requirements.

While there are a range of issues that must be addressed when considering a move from oil, the move is necessary for the long term sustainability of the transport sector, and to reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel use on a global level. Many transport alternatives such as biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells have great potential, but require more time, money and research to be competitive with oil

References

[1] + [2] CSIRO. 2008. Fuel for Thought- The future of transport fuels: challenges and opportunities. http://www.csiro.au/files/files/plm4.pdf

[3] Dunstan, C., Usher, J., Ross, K., Christie, L., Paevere, P. (2011). Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Australia: Barriers and Policy Solutions (An Electric Driveway Project Report). Prepared for Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS: Sydney. Page 3.

[4] + [5] U.S. Department of Energy. 2005. Hydrogen and Our Energy Future.http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov

[6] + [7] Dunstan, C., Usher, J., Ross, K., Christie, L., Paevere, P. (2011). Supporting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Australia: Barriers and Policy Solutions (An Electric Driveway Project Report). Prepared for Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS: Sydney. Pages 20 + 56.

[8] Biofuel.org.uk. Disadvantages of Biofuels – Water. 2010. http://biofuel.org.uk/water.html

Cycling is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint, your transport bills and your waistline all at the same time. With ever increasing petrol prices, obesity levels and carbon emissions, there has never been a better time to consider leaving your car at home and hopping on a bike.

Save Money

There are a wide range of bikes for whatever you plan to do: road bikes for dedicated riders, mountain bikes for those keen on an adrenaline rush, or hybrid bikes for a more casual cycle around town. The cost of a bike can range from under £100 for a basic model, to over £2,500 for the latest model of road bike. Other upfront costs can include puncture kits, helmets and a chain to ensure your bike stays safe. However, even including other similar purchases, the cost of a bike is far less than that of a car. And while your car needs regular checks, services and repairs, the only continuing costs of a bike are repairs on potential tyre punctures, and the cost of food to keep its user going! By cycling instead of driving, you cut out your need to purchase petrol, pay road tax, or pay congestion charges around town.

Get Healthy

Adults are recommended to do at least 2.5 hours moderate activity per week, however in the UK only 40% of men and 28% of women reach even this minimum level of weekly activity [1]. Cycling regularly can help to improve your fitness, and reduce your waist size, with studies showing that physical activity can also help your mood by exposing cyclists to more daylight every day. The average commute to work by bike burns approximately 235 calories, which is the equivalent to a bar of Cadburys Dairy Milk. Regular exercise can also help to reduce the likelihood of suffering from diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Cut Your Emissions

The most important thing about riding a bike is that it creates zero pollution. Transport is one of the major contributors to CO₂ emissions worldwide, currently making up almost a quarter of total emissions in the UK and causing 70% of air pollution in UK towns and cities [2]. If vehicle use continues to rise at the current rate, then emissions are expected to have risen by 35% from 1990 levels by 2030 [3]. Bike manufacture consumes a fraction of the energy that car manufacture requires, and does not require a constant input of fossil fuels such as petrol. Increasing concentrations of air pollution in cities and towns has lead to a rise in the number of asthma cases, especially in children, so by cutting your emissions you can help to put a stop to the increase in cases each year.

What Businesses Can Do

Businesses can get involved to encourage workers who live within cycling distance to leave their cars at home and make the trip by bike instead. Reduced vehicles at work can help save businesses money by reducing the need for parking spaces, and by creating happier, fitter, and more productive employees. A Dutch company, Waterschap Veluwe, gave free bikes to all employees who lived within 10k of the office [4] which allowed these employees to make the switch to a more eco-friendly form of transport without having to pay an upfront cost themselves. If your office does not have a shower and change facilities, speak to your supervisor or manager about where the nearest facilities may be, or the options for providing one in your building.

London’s Cycle Hire Scheme

Living in London is one of the best places in the UK to take full advantage of reduced cost bike use. The City of London Barclays Cycle Hire scheme has been a great success since it was set up in July 2010 by the then Mayor Boris Johnson, which lead to the bikes being commonly referred to as ‘Boris Bikes’. Bikes were available to members from the launch month of July 2010, and to the general public from the 3^rd December 2010, since which there has been over 22,600,000 cycle hires [5]. Bikes are also a great way for tourists to see the city: on the final day of the Olympics there were a record breaking 47,105 hires on a single day [6].

The process is easy and affordable: hire one of the scheme’s 8,000 bikes from a docking station by following the simple on-screen instructions, ride your chosen bike to your destination, then return in to the nearest docking station, 570 of which are found around the city. Your only upfront cost is a £2 bike access charge, or £10 for 7 days. Journeys under 30 minutes are free, with journey lengths longer than this accruing charges starting from £1 [7]. If your workplace is within the 30 minute free zone, then the 7 day bike access charge could be significantly less than driving daily, or even taking public transport.

Energy Saving Warehouse has a great range of energy efficient cycling products that help you stay safe and seen whilst on the road.

References

[1] Sustrans. Health benefits of changing your travel. 2013. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/change-your-travel/reducing-your-car-use/health-benefits-changing-your-travel

[2] Cycling Plus. 2011. ‘Five reasons to cycle to work.’ Bike Radar, April 25. http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/five-reasons-to-cycle-to-work-29878/#null

[3] Sustrans. Change your travel for the environment. 2013. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/change-your-travel/reducing-your-car-use/change-your-travel-environment

[4] Dee, J., 2010. Small Business, Big Opportunity: Sustainable Growth. 1^st ed. Melbourne: Sensis.

[5] Transport for London. Barclays Cycle Hire/Key Facts. 2013. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/20389.aspx

[6] Barclays Cycle Hire Twitter Account. 13 August 2012. https://twitter.com/BarclaysCycle/status/234952827921903616. Retrieved 25 July 2013.

[7] Transport for London. Barclays Cycle Hire/What you pay. 2013. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/14811.aspx

Most of us do not stop and think twice when the supermarket cashier asks if we would like a bag for our shopping. How else would we get our shopping home? But behind the growing pile of plastic bags that exists in many kitchens around the country, there is a growing environmental concern for the damage that these bags are causing. There are now numerous types of reusable bags available, each with a different up front cost and advantages. Most importantly, these bags offer an alternative to the conventional single use bags that often end up landfill sites or in oceans, where they cause numerous animal deaths each year.

Over the past decade there has been a significant effort to reduce the use of single use bags, and increase the use of more durable reuseable bags. Since 2006, there has been a 35% decrease across the UK in the distribution of single use plastic bags, from 12.2 million in 2006 down to 7.9 million in 2011 [1]. Some retailers around the UK already have a small charge for single use bags in place, but many parts of the UK are now looking to make this a countrywide act, with bag charges existing in Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Most recently, the Scottish Government has announced a 5p charge on all plastic bags as of October 2014, to try to encourage more reuse of bags. Scotland currently uses more carrier bags per head than the rest of the UK, and the government’s move aims to make carrier bag use in Scotland more sustainable [2].

Types of commonly used bags

• Plastic bags are made from high-density polyethylene, and are the most commonly found type of bags in supermarkets. They primarily end up in landfill sites rather than being recycled, where they can take up to several hundred years to degrade fully. Their environmental impact is large, especially when left as litter on the streets, digested by marine animals, or contaminating soil and water.
• Degradable plastic bags are conventional plastic bags in shape and size, but have a prodegradant additive that helps to accelerate degradation. It can take approximately 18 months to four years for the bags to biodegrade back into water, CO₂, biomass and trace elements [3].
• Bags for Life are made of low-density polyethylene and are available from most supermarkets. These types of bags are usually larger and are sturdier than a conventional plastic bag, and can be reused many times. The number of bags for life distributed each year has risen steadily since 2006 – from 245 million to 416 million in 2011 [4].
• Cotton bags are available from supermarkets, online and from a variety of other retailers, and are designed to be reused multiple times. The production phase of cotton bags is much higher than that of a plastic bag as growing the cotton requires a great deal of water. However, cotton bags can be used hundreds of times throughout their lifetime, reducing the need to pick up new plastic bags whenever shopping is bought, and can often be reprocessed when no longer in use, which helps to cut down on the number ending up in landfill.
• Paper bags were the bag of choice up until the 1970′s, when they were replaced by plastic bags. While not used in supermarkets anymore, paper bags are still commonly used by other retailers. Paper bags are less likely to be reused, and require more energy during the production and transportation phases, but they are made from more sustainable sources, and can be fully recycled, therefore significantly reducing the amount likely to end up in landfill.

Environmental issues

The production of any item uses energy, and while conventional plastic bags use less energy for production and transport than other bag types, the majority of these bags end up in landfill sites, where they break down into toxic materials, which can enter the food chain and cause harm to the animals that ingest them. Plastic bags also enter the oceans and other water bodies, where animals mistake them for food and eat them, which leads to the annual deaths of over 100,000 sea turtles and other marine animals [5].

Littering of plastic bags has become a major issue, and while plastic bags can now be recycled, most bags end up on the streets or in landfill sites. Methane release from degrading bags in landfill sites is of great environmental concern, as methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

A simple and easy change to make, find out below how you can reduce your usage of plastic bags. There are loads of other ways you can help the environment too with Energy Saving Warehouse.

What you can do

• Pack plastic bags until they are full, but don’t overfill so that they rip! This will reduce the number of bags you pick up each time you shop.
• Reuse plastic bags by taking them shopping with you. You can also use these bags as bin liners, which helps to reduce your carbon footprint as you no longer need to buy as many bin bags.
• Many supermarkets have plastic bag recycling points, so if you have a growing collection in your kitchen, get rid of a few this way. Bags are then recycled by specialists to ensure they are not deposited in landfill sites.
• If you order shopping online, you can unpack your shopping directly into your kitchen and give the bags straight back to be reused.
• Pick up a bag for life or a cotton bag and take these shopping with you each time you go. While they have a require more energy to produce and may cost you to buy, they can be reused over and over again, and significantly reduce the amount of plastic bags that you would otherwise pick up and likely throw away.

If you don’t fancy reusing your plastic bags in your bin, you can make more environmentally friendly purchases on these other types of bags used around the home, such as rubbish bags. Take a look at Energy Saving Warehouse’s range of green bin bags.

References

[1] Zero Waste Scotland. Carrier bags – more information. 2013. http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/carrier-bags-more-information

[2] BBC News Scotland. Scottish government plans charge for plastic bags. 28 June 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23096931

[3] ConservingNow. Plastic Bag Environmental Impact Facts. 2013. http://www.conservingnow.com/plastic-bag-environmental-impact

[4] Zero Waste Scotland. Carrier bags – material matters. 2013. http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/carrier-bags-material-matters-1

[5] Zero Waste Scotland. Carrier bags – more information. 2013. http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/carrier-bags-more-information

Food makes up a large part of our everyday lives, whether it’s dropping by the shops on the way home from work, searching for new recipes online or preparing a home cooked family meal. However, many of us are happy to sit down to a meal without thinking of the impact our food has on the environment, and whether our diet is sustainable. A recent report by WWF found that the growing, producing and importing of food in the UK is responsible for a staggering 30% of our CO₂ emissions [1]. The UK’s climate makes it necessary to import certain foods from around the world, which is causing one of the largest environmental impacts: the clearing of huge tracts of land and rainforest for cattle grazing, and for the production of commodities such as soy and palm oil. Not only does this clearing release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, it also has devastating consequences for the animals whose habitats are destroyed.

There are a number of ways that you can make your diet more sustainable, while also reducing your shopping bills, and getting to experience fresher, tastier produce, without having to make any major changes to your lifestyle:

Buy Food in Bulk

Food packaging contributes heavily to the life cycle emissions of food items, with individually packaged items also requiring more space for transportation. Buying food in bulk reduces the amount of packaging that is produced and that ends up in your shopping trolley, which in turn reduces the amount of direct packaging that ends up in landfill sites. Bulk food can also be packed more densely for transportation, reducing the amount of vehicles on our roads.

Check out some fair trade products on Energy Saving Warehouses’ shopping portal which you can buy in bulk.

Eat Seasonally

Growing fruit and vegetables out of season can require high levels of fertilisers, heating and other artificial inputs, which can be vastly reduced by eating food that is in season. As well as the environmental benefits, fresh seasonal produce tastes better and is often cheaper than buying the same produce out of season [2]. Try blackberries, courgettes and runner beans in September, or potatoes and red cabbage in November when they are at their freshest and tastiest. Buying produce in season reduces the need for importing and its accompanying environmental impacts. Websites such as Eat Seasonably provide in depth information about what to grow and buy when, in an easy to understand format, such as the Eat Seasonably Calendar [3].

Shop at Farmer’s Markets

Instead of buying all your produce at supermarkets, try visiting your local farmer’s market to see what is available there. Not only are you buying local, seasonal produce, you also cut down considerably, if not completely, on packaging. Produce will not have been transported far, and many sellers are now organic, so you don’t have to worry about the effects that pesticides and fertilisers are having on the quality of your food, and also on the ecosystem. You can often find added extras, such as cooking demonstrations and a wider variety of produce than many supermarkets have to offer.

Most farmer’s markets are held at weekends, and may be fortnightly rather than every week, so make sure to check when your local one will be there.

Pick Your Fish and Cuts of Meat Carefully

Meat is one of the most inefficiently produced food types – raising cattle and other animals requires large amount of land, water and grain. On average it takes 6kg of plant protein to produce only 1kg of meat protein [4]. Cutting down the amount of meat in your diet is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and can also help to improve your health. Try replacing fattier cuts of meat with leaner cuts or fish, or even with vegetarian alternatives, such as Quorn or vegetables themselves. Websites such as Part-Time Carnivore provide forums for those wishing to reduce their meat intake to find like-minded people who live in the same area, and gives you statistics of how much CO₂ and land you have saved, even by having just one meat free day a week [5].

When buying fish, try to make your choice a sustainable one, by looking for Marine Stewardship Council certified seafood. The council has conducted extensive research into the the impacts on fish stocks and the environment of fishing, and aims to promote sustainability through all stages of the process.

Plan Your Portions

Food waste is a major issue in the UK – over 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink are thrown away each year. Not only does food waste have an environmental impact, it also costs households on average £680 a year [6]. By reducing the amount of food you throw away, you reduce your carbon footprint and also your shopping bills.

One way to reduce your waste is by planning your portions. By knowing what and how much you will eat over a certain time period, you can make sure that you buy enough food to create your meals without having platefuls left over. Simple tricks like keeping a shopping list in the kitchen to plan for meals or freezing leftovers can help to make your food last longer. Try using an online portion calculator such as Love Food Hate Waste to help work out how much of each food type you need for a range of different meals [7].

References

[1] WWF. Food. 2013. http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/changing_the_way_we_live/food/

[2] Eat Seasonably. What is it about? 2013. http://eatseasonably.co.uk/what-to-eat-now/what-is-this-about/

[3] Eat Seasonably. Seasonal fruit and vegetable calendar. 2013. http://eatseasonably.co.uk/what-to-eat-now/calendar/

[4] WWF. Food. 2013. http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/changing_the_way_we_live/food/

[5] Part-Time Carnivore. Part-Time Carnivore. 2013. http://www.parttimecarnivore.org/

[6] Love Food Hate Waste Scotland. Shopping List Tips. 2013. http://scotland.lovefoodhatewaste.com/content/can-i-have-writing

[7] Love Food Hate Waste Scotland. Food Portion Size – Portion Calculator. 2013. http://scotland.lovefoodhatewaste.com/portions/everyday

Reducing your lighting bill is one of the easiest ways to save money, as lighting can account for up to 8% [1] of the average household’s monthly bill, and an even larger percentage of a small business’ electricity consumption. There are several ways to reduce your lighting bill, such as by replacing any inefficient traditional bulbs with newer energy efficient ones, or by simply making some small changes to your current lifestyle, for example turning off light switches when leaving a room.

Bulbs

Energy saving lightbulbs have often been seen as taking too long to warm up, not being bright enough, or as costing too much. However, over the past few years there have been tremendous developments, with newer models matching the colour and ‘warmth’ of traditional incandescent bulbs, appearing in a large range of sizes and styles, and with an energy payback of 15 months or less [2]. These new bulbs have a lower wattage than traditional bulbs, so use less energy. An 100W traditional bulb provides the same light as a 25W efficient bulb [3], but since the wattage is much lower, your electricity consumption is also lower.

• Compact fluorescents (CFLs) are widely available and provide a number of advantages over a traditional bulb, such as emitting less heat, and using a fraction of the energy. CFLs now typically take less than a minute to reach 95% of their full light output with virtually no flickering [4], and are now designed to be the same size, or even smaller, than traditional bulbs. By replacing a traditional bulb with a CFL you can make savings of around £3 a year, or an overall saving of £50 over the lifetime of the bulb [5].
• LEDs (light emitting diodes) are even more efficient than CFLs, and save more money in the long term, though have a higher upfront cost. LEDs do not need time to warm up and are instantly at their full brightness, with no flickering. By replacing a halogen bulb with an LED you can save £4 a year, and up to £140 over the lifetime of the bulb [6].

Energy Saving Warehouse has a wide range of energy saving light bulbs that can help you save on your electricity consumption.

Using Less Lighting

Energy savings bulbs can save you both energy and money, and combined with some simple energy savings strategies, you can reduce both even further!

• Use natural light as much as possible. Position desks and other areas which require good lighting close to windows and keep windows clean.
• Dust can diminish the effectiveness of lighting, so keep fixtures clean and dust-free.
• Turn off lights when leaving a room. Keeping a light on consumes more energy than turning it off and then back on again when you enter a room, even if you only leave for a second.
• Install movement activated sensors in areas which are less frequently used, such as toilets, as this can save you up to 30% on lighting costs [7].
• Install dimming controls, which allow you to adjust light levels in response to incoming daylight or to the lighting needs of your chosen task.
• When appropriate, use task lighting rather than lighting a large area. If only one desk in an office is occupied then using a suitable lamp can reduce the need to light a whole room.

For more simple and easy energy saving tips like these have a look around the website.

References

[1] Energy Saving Trust Scotland. Lighting. 2013. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Electricity/Lighting

[2] Vaughn, A. 2012. ‘LED lightbulbs can save you hundreds in energy bills.’ The Guardian, June 8. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jun/08/led-lightbulbs-save-energy-bills

[3] Centre for Sustainable Energy. Lighting: The low-energy bulb revolution. 2012. http://www.cse.org.uk/downloads/file/advice_leaflet_lighting.pdf

[4] LightBulbs Direct. Energy Saving. 2012. http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/article/energy-saving/#

[5] Energy Saving Trust Scotland. Lighting. 2013. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Electricity/Lighting

[6] Ibid.

[7] Resource Efficient Scotland. Reduce your lighting bill. 2013. http://www.resourceefficientscotland.com/content/key-task/reduce-your-lighting-bill

Smart Meters

The government aims to have smart meters installed in every one of the 27 million businesses and homes in the UK by 2020, in order to try and reduce the country’s carbon emissions levels. Energy companies are required to begin replacing current gas and electricity meters between 2015 and 2019, although many companies have already begun to do so. This installation should be done free, with no upfront cost or one off charge. If your household or business would like to have a smart meter installed sooner and your current energy provider is unwilling to do so the DECC provides some links to providers that may do installations earlier than the required start date [1].

Many households rely on estimated bills to see their energy usage, which often makes it difficult to know what appliances and tasks are costing the most. Smart meters provide accurate and real time information, by measuring not only a household or business’ total energy usage, but also by breaking this total down to show when the energy has been used and the cost. Users will also be able to compare current and previous energy by using an in-home display unit.

Some benefits of having a smart meter are:

• getting an accurate measure of your energy use without having to wait for a meter reading as energy data can be access remotely by your energy provider
• seeing the actual cost of your energy use
• seeing which appliances are costing you the most to use
• being able to better budget usage with improved energy use visibility

Energy Monitors

Energy monitors work in a similar way to smart meters, but on a much smaller scale. Rather than letting you see your total energy usage, an energy monitor allows you to see how much energy a particular appliance uses, which in turn allows you to cut down usage of high costing appliances, or replace these with more energy efficient items. By allowing users to see the different costs of certain items, energy monitors have been shown to help reduce bills by between 5% and 20% [2]. By entering your own tariff into the monitor you are able to get the most accurate readings and costs. Energy monitors do not themselves reduce energy bills, but allow the user to make lifestyle changes based on which appliances have high power usage or are unnecessarily wasting energy.

Some energy suppliers provide free monitors when you sign up for a certain tariff, but you can also purchase devices yourself for increasing lower prices. Most electronics stores will stock monitors, and great deals can be found online. Many comparison websites, such as Which? [3], also provide a wide range of options to chose from, depending on your budget and needs.

It may also be worth considering if you are using the most environmentally friendly energy provider in your area. An easy way to compare providers and tariffs is through Energy Saving Warehouse’s tool

References

[1] Department of Energy and Climate Change. Smart meters: a guide. 2013. https://www.gov.uk/smart-meters-how-they-work

[2] Towards Zero Carbon Bute. Energy Monitors. 2013. http://www.tzcb.org.uk/?page_id=353

[3] Which?. Energy Monitor Reviews. 2013. http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/reviews/energy-monitors/

Introduction

Over the past decade concern has grown over the environmental consequences of fossil fuels, this has influenced the recent interest in biofuels (Hill et al. 2006).  Ambitious  policies that promote biofuel use and production have not only been set by the EU, but by the USA and China as well (Soimakallio and Koponen, 2011). Biofuels are produced from processed food crops, other plants or animal products and agricultural or organic wastes. Crops grown specifically for energy uses rather than food or feedstock’s, are known as second generation biofuels, these are in development and not currently available for commercial use (Rowe et al. 2009). First generations biofuels are produced from processed food or feed crops, these are used today. Have brought conflict over growing crops for food, growing crops for fuel and protecting the environment.

What advantages are there to using biofuels?

Europe has few crude oil reserves and is highly reliant on imports to obtain fuel, 98% of transport in the EU is entirely dependent on fossil fuels (IPCC, 2011). Rising oil prices improve the cost competitiveness of biofuels helping them enter the market, providing a viable alternative for oil (Hill et al. 2006). European leaders see domestic biofuels as a more secure and sustainable option, providing incentives for more biofuel usage.

The aim of biofuel usage is to help combat climate change by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are currently released with the burning of fossil fuels by increasing its share of renewable energy (Banse et al. 2011). The majority of biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30% when compared to fossil fuels combustion (Scharlemann and Laurence, 2008). When biofuels are blended with petroleum fuel or diesel they can improve air quality, especially in urban regions, as they generally bring a reduction in sulphur, particulates and carbon monoxide (Worldwatch Institute, 2006).

Liquid biofuels are important as they can be substituted immediately into the majority of transport vehicles. Meaning greenhouse gas savings can be achieved with little monetary investment or time developing new transportation infrastructure, making them a popular choice for governments.

Biofuels have the potential to provide environmental benefits, if they are planted on barren land where the soil has low carbon content, they can sequester carbon into the soil, effectively becoming a carbon sink. Moreover, if planted on this type of land they could increase biodiversity and protect watersheds, as they offer a more diverse and natural environment than other agricultural systems (Karta, 2006).

This is great: So what are the disadvantages?

The burning of biofuels can emit less CO₂ than combustion of fossil fuel, the growth and production stage of biofuels needs to be taken into account. Have you considered your personal carbon footprint? Low yielding energy crops, such as corn ethanol, can have heavy inputs of fossil fuel energy during intensive farming and manufacture and can in some cases increase the environmental impact. CO₂ is not the only greenhouse gas emitted during this process, N₂O is also released, affecting the net greenhouse gas balance (UNEP, 2009).

Increase biofuel usage will subsequently lead to the demand for land needed to cultivate biofuel crops (Harvey, 2011). Clearing native ecosystems is sometimes the most profitable method of obtaining land, causing detrimental effects to water, soils and the regional climate (Tilman et al. 2009).  An increase in ecosystem destruction rates will lead to a rise in biodiversity lost.

If biofuel production continues using the same intense methods of farming as have been used over the past century, it will increase the use of chemicals such as nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticides (Hill et al. 2006). These can enter habitats and aquifers, affecting the surrounding ecosystem, causing issues such as eutrophication. Current farming methods use a lot of water in the irrigation and processing of the crops. Biofuels compete with food crops for land space, this competition drives the prices of food up making it difficult to feed the world poor.

Conclusions

Global population has recently exceeded 7 billion (BBC, 2011), and is still increasing. Demand for energy is rising, and sources suggest that we are reaching our level of peak oil, implying that our reliance on fossil fuels cannot continue (IPCC, 2007). I believe biofuels can be used as a short term substitute. However they should not be considered as a long term alternative to fossil fuels, as it is not sustainable. The development of second generation biofuels, if produced sustainably could provide part of an alternative to fossil fuels, as they produce biofuels from waste products and energy grown crops. Yet they should not be completely relied on, as the impacts of growing the amount of biomass needed to replace fossil fuels would be too harmful to the environment.

If you are interested in finding out about the part other alternative energy sources, such as solar power, have to play in the future of energy supply have a look around the website.

References

Banse et al. (2011) Impact of  EU biofuel policies on world agricultural production and land use. Biomass and Bioenergy (35) 2385-2390.

BBC (2011) Population seven billion: UN sets out challeneges, (Online). Avaliable: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15459643 . [Accessed: 24/11/2011]

Harvey, M. and Pilgrim, S. (2011) The new competition for land: Food, energy and climate change. Food Policy (32) S40-S51.

Hill, Jason, et al. (2006), ‘Environmental, economic and energetic costs and benefits of biodiesel and ethanol biofuels’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103 (30), 11206-10.

IPCC (2011) Special Report on Renewable Energy Soureces and Climaate Change Mitigation: Bioenergy. International Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.

IPCC (2007) Mitigation of Climate Change. Chapter 4.3.1.3. Petroleum Fuels. IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change.

Karta, S. (2006) Environmental effects of Bioenergy. Bioenergy and Agriculture: Promises and Challenages, brief 4 of 12.

Rowe, Rebecca, Street, Nathaniel, and Taylor, Gail (2009), ‘Identifing potential environmental impacts of large-scale deployment of dedicated bioenergy crops in the UK’, Renewable and sustainable Energy Reviews, 13, 271-90.

Scharlemann, J. and Laurence, W. (2008) How green are biofuels? Science, 319, 43-44.

Soimakallio, Sampo and Koponen, Kati (2011), ‘How to ensure greenhouse gas emission reductions by increasing the use of biofuels? – suitability of the European Union sustainability criteria’, Biomass and Bioenergy, 35, 3504-13.

Tilman, David, et al. (2009), ‘Benefical Biofuels – The Food, Energy and Environment Trilemma’, Science, 325, 270-71.

UNEP (2009) Assessing biofuels, United Nations Environmental Programme.

Worldwatch Institute (2006) Biofuels for transportation

As an energy intensive activity, transportation offers a wide range of opportunities to reduce both money and emissions. For most businesses the main type of vehicle use is that of employee’s commuting to and from work, and travel for meetings or training. While there are a wide range of options to help reduce emissions, telecommuting, car pooling and virtual meetings are three ways to significantly reduce your employees’ reliance on vehicle use.

Telecommuting

Telecommuting is on the rise, with recent research showing that around 20% of the global workforce now telecommutes, with 10% of those working from home every day [1]. With ever increasing internet speeds, more and more businesses are considering telecommuting as a way to reduce both their and their employee’s carbon footprints. By allowing employees to work from home they are able to work in a comfortable and safe environment, able to use time previously spent commuting for more productive purposes, and to make significant savings on fuel or public transport. The business also saves money by requiring less office space and parking spaces. By having a smaller work force on site, businesses’ energy and equipment needs are dramatically reduced, allowing for both savings is carbon emissions and electricity bills.
However, there are some disadvantages to telecommuting that need to be addressed before allowing staff to do so. While some people may relish the chance to work undisturbed by other staff or phone calls at home, others may lack the self-motivation to stay focused with distractions around them that would not be found at the office. Research found that 43% of those working from home admitted to watching a tv or movie with another 20% admitting to playing video games during work hours [2]. The benefits of telecommuting can be significant for both employees and businesses, but terms should be worked out between the two to make sure productivity stays high.

Car Pooling

One of the easiest ways to save both fuel and money is by car pooling. By sharing a journey with one or more people you instantly reduce the amount of petrol needed, the amount of vehicles on the road and the amount of driving you do. For employees who have long commutes to make, having company can make a previously tedious journey more enjoyable. The Energy Savings Trust estimates that by sharing a commute with two other people, annual savings of up to £280 can be made [3].
Businesses can encourage car pooling by offering incentives such as guaranteeing a car parking space or organising work events such as coffee mornings to allow employees who live in similar areas to be introduced. For those wanting to carpool but unable to find anyone else at work, websites such as Liftshare allow you to search for other people looking to carpool in your local area and provides a safe and easy way to contact them [4].

‘Virtual’ Meetings and Teleconferencing

Many businesses will have more than one office, and with these offices often spread around the country, it can be expensive and time consuming to get everyone in the same place at the same time for meetings or for training purposes. Face to face meetings can require staff to make long car or air journeys, the latter producing significantly more carbon emissions than any other type of transport.
While face to face meetings are often necessary in some situations, teleconferencing (communication by phone) and virtual meetings (communication by video call) can be a great way to reduce a business’ carbon footprint. You might find our range of headsets and conference phones useful if you are considering undertaking these activities. Software such as Skype [5] is easy to install and use, and is also free, while other software such as iChat comes already installed on Mac computers. Websites such as Socialbrite provide extensive lists of available software, with details such as costs, pros and cons and features [6], reducing the amount of time required to work out which software is best for your business.

References

[1] MySammy. Telecommuter Infographic – Statics and Stats on Telecommuting Workers. 2013. http://www.mysammy.com/infographics-telecommuter
[2] ibid.
[3] Energy Savings Trust. Using the car less. 2013. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Travel/Driving/Using-the-car-less#2
[4] Liftshare. Liftshare. 2013. https://www.liftshare.com/uk/
[5] Microsoft. Skype. 2013. http://www.skype.com/en/
[6] Socialbrite. Virtual meeting smackdown! 15 top web conferencing services compared. 2011. http://www.socialbrite.org/2011/01/19/comparison-top-web-conferencing-services/

Loft Insulation

Heat rises, and so without loft insulation, the heat from your house moves through the ceiling and out into the cold outdoors. Up to a quarter of your heat is lost through the roof [1], which means that more energy is required to keep your house at a pleasant and liveable temperature.
Mineral wool is the most commonly used insulation material, and can be bought in rolls known as ‘blankets’ from DIY stores. Depending on the size and accessibility of your loft, then you may need to have the job done professionally, which can take a few hours to do.

The recommended depth for mineral wool insulation is 270mm, and is effective for up to 40 years [2]. DIY installation for a semi-detached home with three bedrooms can cost between £50 to £350 with a payback time of up to 3 years, with typical annual savings of approximately £145 [3]. Other house sizes will have different costs and savings, but the savings in the long term will outweigh any upfront initial costs.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Cavity wall insulation is suitable for most houses built after the 1930′s, as external walls built after this time tend to be composed of two ‘skins’ with a gap between them. This gap can be filled with insulation materials such as mineral wool, beads of granules or foamed insulants, which stop heat escaping from your house.

Cavity wall insulation must be done using a professional installer, as the insulating material is inserted into the gap from the outside of the house using small holes. Installers should be a member of one of three organisations: the National Insulation Association, the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency or the British Board of Agreement [4]. While the typical cost of installation is around £500, the average annual saving is £190, meaning the payback time is less than three years [5].

Schemes and Savings Options

The upfront costs of insulation can seem daunting, but there are many ways to reduce these costs. Energy companies now have Energy Company Obligations, and depending on your situation, your house may be eligible for reduced cost or even free insulation. Comparison websites such as Money Saving Expert list contact details for several major energy providers, and how to apply for insulation [6].
The government has also introduced the Green Deal, a scheme which allows you to make improvements such as insulation without having to pay all the upfront costs, instead paying off the money owed through instalments as part of your electricity bill. Insulations covered by the deal include heating, draught-proofing, double glazing and renewable energy technologies [7].

References

(1) Eco Green Renovations. Loft insulation. 2013. http://ecogreenrenovations.co.uk/loft-insulation.php
(2) Centre for Sustainable Energy. Insulate your loft. 2012. http://www.cse.org.uk/downloads/file/advice_leaflet_loft_insulation.pdf
(3) Eco Green Renovations. Loft insulation. 2013. http://ecogreenrenovations.co.uk/loft-insulation.php
(4) Energy Savings Trust. Cavity Wall Insulation. 2013. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Insulation/Cavity-wall-insulation
(5) Centre for Sustainable Energy. Insulate your cavity walls. 2012. http://www.cse.org.uk/downloads/file/advice_leaflet_cavity_wall_insulation.pdf
(6) Money Saving Expert. Free Insulation. 2013. http://ecogreenrenovations.co.uk/loft-insulation.php
(7) UK Government. Green Deal: energy saving for your home or business. 2013. https://www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures