Green Deal update. Due to changes in Government policy Green Deal funding is no longer available for customers. We will update this page when we are have further information about any alternatives. There's an old saying that "an Englishman's home is his castle", but the problem is that, just like [...]
According to Greek mythology, to escape imprisonment on Crete, the craftsman and inventor Daedalus made wings from wax and feathers for himself and his son Icarus. The legend then goes on to tell how Icarus flew too close to the sun, the wax melted, and he plunged into the sea [...]
It seems Britain is fast developing something of a love-affair with Solar Farms – those large, utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) installations that can generate 5 or 10 MW of electricity. There are some 18 schemes capable of generating 5MW or more in Wales alone, with a further 34 under construction or [...]
It’s hard to think that the annoying slime that turns your pond water green in spring and early summer could be the future of biofuels – but that’s a possibility that a surprising range of research institutions, private firms, oil companies, NASA and even the Pentagon are looking at very [...]
Things are changing on the roof of the world. The amount of Arctic sea ice has been steadily declining since the 1970’s – the extent of the ice-caps shrinking at a rate of nearly 12% a decade for the past 30 years, according to the US National Snow and Ice [...]
The Sun plays a pretty important part in all our lives – whether you’re considering its vital role as the primary source of energy on our planet, looking at its importance for growing food or simply hoping that it’ll shine for your weekend off! It’s always there and it’s always [...]
The world has become an increasingly ‘smart’ place, with in-built intelligence and enhanced functionality now coming as standard features in everything from bombs to phones – and now it seems the race is on to smarten up the grid too, and change the way we get our electricity forever. It [...]
Smart meters are set to become an increasingly familiar item in our homes, as energy companies start a major campaign to roll out these devices across the country from 2015, as part of a Government mandated programme to install 53 million of them by 2020. Billed as the 'next generation' [...]
The idea of providing a large proportion of your heating with a cosy wood burning stove may also seem like an attractive idea but when it comes to the bottom line, are you likely to save money and how soon can you expect to claw back the cost of your [...]
Fairtrade products are widely available in supermarkets and many people never notice the label or understand what it means. But buying fair-trade products can make a real difference not only to producers in developing and resource poor countries, but also to the environment. Although not all fairtrade companies are Carbon [...]
People decide to become vegetarian for many different reasons. A common one is the wish not to eat meat because they believe that keeping, raising and then killing animals for food is cruel and inhumane. That is very much a personal point of view that many people do not agree [...]
Whenever you go out shopping, whether it is for food, clothes or general items, whatever you buy ends up in some sort of shopping bag. Supermarkets tend to have plenty of thin plastic bags, or you can buy reusable bags which can either be durable plastic or canvas. Designer shops [...]
The latest energy saving technology available anywhere in the world is showcased at the start of each year at the Consumer Electronic Show. This year it was held at the beginning of January in Las Vegas. Environmental Themes Although the Consumer Electronic Show is primarily for business, it is encouraging [...]
Supermarkets have long been criticised for the amount of waste food they throw away each year. Some waste is inevitable – supermarkets need to provide customers with a wide range of food and choice, and it is impossible to make sure that supply exactly meets demand. The problem is that [...]
These days it is frowned on not to have the best insulation that you can possibly afford in as many places as possible in your home. Cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, double or triple glazed doors and windows; all have become the norm. When houses were less well insulated, the [...]
The last two winters have been the coldest that the UK has seen for several years and have coincided with a general hike in prices for oil, coal and gas for domestic heating. This has meant that rather than conserving energy for environmental reasons, some people have been forced to [...]
It is not just people here in the UK who are interested in preserving the environment for future generations. Every country in Europe is committed to environmental initiatives that conserve energy and reduce waste. The European Commission is running a major project called the Life Plus programme and one of [...]
The idea of self sufficiency is very appealing as a concept but difficult to achieve in reality. In the 21st century, everyone is more aware of the need to conserve energy and raw materials, and to end our reliance on fossil fuels. We are now in a very technological age, [...]
New houses and buildings that are sustainable and that aim to be carbon neutral over the course of their useful life need to use materials that are as natural and ecofriendly as possible. Using synthetic insulation materials, which have a large manufacturing carbon footprint is no longer an option. Instead, [...]
The appearance of solar powered road signs happened without a great deal of fuss and publicity but these are one of the few transport developments based on renewable energy to become an overnight success. Once you become aware of them, you start to see them everywhere; typical solar powered signs [...]
As the UK is surrounded by miles of coastline and either seas or oceans, it has easy access to wave power and tidal energy. The coastline extends for over 11 000 miles and the tidal ranges are some of the greatest seen anywhere in the world. The difference in sea [...]
Surveys show that most teenagers in the UK think it is good to be environmentally aware and many of them think their generation could do a better job of looking after the world compared to their parents. Having these opinions does not, however, often translate into their actions and teenagers [...]
A real fire has been a comfort to people in cold weather since fire was first discovered thousands of years ago. Electric fires and gas fires have become more acceptable in the last 100 years as they are less trouble, more efficient and ‘cleaner’. No form of heating that extracts [...]
EBay, the online marketplace that allows people to sell their unwanted stuff or to sell goods as part of a cheap-to-run online business is more popular than ever. Launched in 1995, as an original idea by Pierre Omidyar, eBay has grown into a massive multinational organisation that is now available [...]
Using more energy from renewable sources is an important strategy for nations, governments and individuals but, as a householder, you may be put off by the cost of solar heating systems. If you have do-it-yourself skills, however, you can try out several small-scale solar energy projects that are relatively easy [...]
Bottled water has become a sort of fashion accessory during the last few years both in America and Europe, where the water that comes out of the tap is extremely clean and safe. It has become the thing to do in the office, on public transport, in the car, in [...]
The concept of working from home and telecommuting has not yet become as widespread as it could, but having people working from home, either permanently, or on some days of the week, has the potential to save both money and environmental impact. A worker who is at home has more [...]
Saving energy is a good thing for the environment and the government is very keen for every individual in the UK to adopt a lifestyle that has a lower carbon footprint. For people with their own house, saving energy is a priority for saving money on fuel bills, as these [...]
Smart meters look set to be the next ‘must have’ energy saving gadget for every home. These are already available to buy in many shops and from a variety of online suppliers. Various feasibility studies that have investigated whether smart meters save money and power have produced conflicting results but [...]
Most of the measures that you can take to reduce your energy usage are relatively expensive or affect your lifestyle in a big way. Getting loft insulation, solar panels or a new energy efficient boiler can cost thousands and giving you your car to rely on a bike could mean [...]
Everyone knows that having single glazed windows is a disaster as far as energy usage is concerned. Many houses already have double glazed windows and one of the objectives of the government is to refurbish many more homes in the next five years so that they have more energy efficient [...]
The Roberts family live in a large Edwardian terrace in Reading, close to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where Chris used to work as a midwife. “When I turned 50 a couple of years ago, we calculated that I could retire early; I have been suffering from a bad back since [...]
There are few homes left that do not have at least some energy saving light bulbs. As the availability of standard light bulbs dwindles, even the laziest of us will have no excuse for changing over to energy efficient lighting. Outside the house is a different story, however. Street lights, [...]
Feed in tariffs are mentioned quite often in articles and discussions about renewable energy, but what exactly is a feed in tariff? Essentially, this term describes the situation in which a household uses renewable energy, or an energy efficient boiler, to provide for its own power needs. The small energy [...]
The Carbon Trust is an organisation that is often mentioned as the source of reliable information in press releases about issues related to climate change and carbon emissions. It is one of the foremost not-for-profit organisations in the UK and its main aim is to help the UK reduce its [...]
If you live in an ordinary house it is not that easy to be environmentally friendly and few of us can claim to have homes that are carbon neutral. Having a larger house makes things more difficult, so how would you approach becoming more environmentally friendly if you owned or [...]
The boiler scrappage scheme follows on from the UK government’s recent initiative on car scrappage. It’s a scheme to encourage people with older, low efficiency boilers to invest in newer, more efficient models. The incentive is a £400 cheque towards the cost. To be able to qualify for the scheme, [...]
With rising fuel bills from all suppliers and future predictions that fuel will become even more expensive in the near future, we all have to think more carefully about how we heat a home. Gas prices particularly have shot up in price and the average home is now paying a [...]
Recycling is a major government goal and many areas recycle all kinds of household rubbish, such as cardboard, paper, plastics, cans, glass and garden waste. Here are 10 questions to check your Recycling habits. If you can answer yes to most, if not all, of the them, you are certainly [...]
If you can answer yes to at least some of the questions you are well on the way to breaking your addiction to fossil fuels – oil, gas and coal – which are rapidly running out and just won’t be an option for the grandchildren of babies born today. Q1 [...]
Answer yes to all the following questions and you are doing very well – if you have some no answers, this can help you identify areas where you could make improvements. Q1 - Are all your Light Bulbs Low Energy? Low energy light bulbs are now widely available. They work [...]
Bimal has been raving about hybrid cars ever since he came back from the Geneva Motorshow earlier this year. As a journalist specialising in motoring, he has been waiting for the first real eco-friendly cars to become available. “We are now just on the brink of a new era in [...]
Working from home seems like the ideal situation, or a lonely, scary way to work, depending on your personality and viewpoint. Jonathan is very much the type of person who sees it as a perfect way to combine work with home life and finally took the plunge to run his [...]
Reducing the amount of energy that you use up and your carbon footprint is becoming increasingly important. One of the easiest ways to improve energy efficiency in the home is to install low energy light bulbs, rather than traditional ones. But what are low energy light bulbs and how do [...]
Ten years ago, Virginia was living in London, working in a highly stressful job in a publishing company and feeling under great pressure. “I was working hard and, although I enjoyed my work, there was not much else in life. My husband had died two years earlier in a car [...]
You might think that when you switch an electrical appliance off, it uses no power, but you could not be more wrong. Many appliances now have a 'standby' function that allows them to be turned on again quickly, without starting up from scratch. The appliances that have a standby facility [...]
Until fairly recently, everyone got their gas through British Gas and their electricity through their own regional electricity company. In the late 1990s, the British government decided to deregulate electricity companies and British Gas and allow competition from different companies to supply domestic utilities. It was a move designed to [...]
Early in 2009, the UK government announced that all homes in Britain were to get an energy makeover to bring them in line with requirements to reduce the amount of energy we used by 2030. The plans are intended to help cut down the amount of money we all spend [...]
Graham is surrounded by piles of papers. Some are newspaper clippings but most of them are letters relating to the opposition group he is running in his village in Caithness in Scotland. “We recently had a vote in the local community about whether people want a wind farm here, and [...]
Everyone knows that tarmac and asphalt are various shades of dark grey rather than green but tarmac has the potential to be truly green if we use it wisely. Green in the sense of environmentally sound, that is. Both tarmac and asphalt have the capacity to absorb the heat of [...]
A piece of coal is around 440 million years old. All that time ago, it was part of a fern or primitive tree growing in a bog. When it died and was buried, it was eventually compacted into layers of rock. Natural gas formed from gases released from decaying matter [...]
Biofuels may be renewable sources of energy, but that does not necessarily mean they are environmentally sound. A key problem with biofuels – which have been more accurately named ‘agrofuels’ by some experts – is that they require large amounts of plant material to produce. This plant material requires an [...]
For most of Europe, solar thermal systems can give relatively quick savings for people wanting solar power in their already-built homes, where a lot of energy is spent on water heating. The fundamental different between a solar PV system and a solar thermal system is that the former converts light [...]
When someone dies, the close relatives are usually thrown into a turmoil, even if the death has been expected. In the midst of their grief, they must register the death, tell other relatives and arrange for a funeral. It can be a very stressful time. Burial traditions vary across different [...]
If the house was empty all day, it would be more efficient generally to time the heating to come on in the morning and in the evening. The energy you save by not having the heating on for a long period every day is more than the extra energy it [...]
When Jo and Darrell Edgley moved from Britain to Durham, North Carolina, USA in 2006, they couldn't help but be impressed by the amount of sunshine as they searched for their new home. When they bought their house, the first thing Darrell said to Jo was: "We need to get [...]
It's an interesting question and quite difficult to answer exactly but here goes... Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL's) have a transformer which is an inductive load. This means that it draws a surge of current when powered on which is what your friend is referring to - and in short term [...]
Thanks for your question, and well done for your green approach in your home - it can be all too tempting to switch on the heating for an extra few hours during the day in those cold winter months! If you're only looking to heat one room during the day, [...]
Firstly, it's great news that you already have 270mm of insulation in your loft – which means you're already saving energy and money on your heating bills. A quarter of the heat used to warm up your home is lost through the loft, and 270mm is the minimum depth of [...]
Since their introduction in August 2007, Home Information Packs have certainly caused a stir in the property market, and opinions have clashed from those who love – or hate - the idea of HIPs and their contents. Crucially, though, the introduction of Home Information Packs has had significant implications on [...]
House building is taking a greener turn, if recent government policies are anything to go by. That means the days that architecture, house design and construction of homes in the UK were completed without consideration to the environment, and the larger issue of global warming, will become a thing of [...]
Ever since the 1930s, the policy of ‘green belt’ – rural, green land that has been designated as protected from outside development – has been preventing urban sprawl from encroaching into the countryside and protecting the environment. But just as bringing in planning and development legislation to protect green belt [...]
It's difficult to imagine a world without computers, laptops, the internet and other technology - and it's even harder to think of computers in an energy saving, green context. Computers, just like other energy zapping commodities have, in some environmentalists' eyes, come to represent yet another product that's ultimately damaging [...]
The government'is committed to making all new homes and house building carbon neutral in the ongoing fight to prevent climate change. This will mean that all the carbon released in the build and day to day living in a property is neutralised by sequestering the same amount, therefore offsetting the [...]
Energy consumption is tied closely in to climate change issues, with the burning of fossil fuels impacting on global CO2 levels in particular. This makes the prospect of an ever increasing demand for more and more energy a bleak picture for the environment in the future indeed. So when the [...]
The seaside resort of Brighton and Hove, famed for its beaches and piers, was recently crowned the greenest city in the UK. An in-depth study into the energy efficiency and sustainable habits of cities across the country found that it wasn't just the sea air making this area environmentally friendly [...]
Housing policy has taken a greener turn since Gordon Brown became Prime Minister. One of the Government’s proposed housing plans announced in the Queen’s speech in November, is the creation of ten new ‘eco-towns’ – completely sustainable and carbon neutral communities – in Brownfield sites across the UK. But what [...]
The more energy efficient your home is the better – both for the environment and your property’s value. But achieving a truly carbon neutral home can mean making a financial investment in your home through a more ambitious green project. Energy micro-generation solar panels, hydro-electric systems or wind turbines can [...]
There's much more to doing your bit for the environment than the habits we change at home. We also need to change other aspects of our day-to-day lives too - including our school and college lives. Teachers and tutors can set the example and encourage the whole school or college [...]
Going green in our lives is all about achieving sustainability meaning we’re able to complete our day-to-day activities with a minimal impact on the environment. Making a sustainable decision about travelling is particularly significant given the impact transport has on the environment overall. The way we travel is one of [...]
Whether you’re a veteran green expert or new to the ideas of saving energy and lowering your carbon footprint it’s always worthwhile to have a broad idea of the bigger environmental picture. Not only will this help you keep focused in your quest to be more efficient with your energy [...]
Good Going is a London based campaign promoting sustainable travel options in the capital. It is helping Londoners to understand the importance and ease of choosing cycling, walking and other greener transport schemes over gas-guzzling modes of transport. Even if you don’t live in London yourself, find out how Good [...]
Switching off lights when you leave a room recycling more, turning down the thermostat in the winter - these are all commendable green habits that can make a positive difference to the environment in the long term. However it’s also important to consider the bigger picture. There are significant changes [...]
Most of us are now aware of the importance of recycling and the recycling facilities available in their local area – but how many of us stop to consider what happens to those glasses, cans and clothes we recycle? Recycling items is only good for the environment if that material [...]
You can make your home more energy efficient in many different ways from smaller jobs like switching to energy saving light bulbs to bigger jobs such as double-glazing, an energy efficient boiler or insulation. These larger projects will save you more energy – and money - in the long run, [...]
For parents and children alike it can be a hectic, frenzied rush for the bell; for commuters and other drivers an irritating but inevitable hold-up on their way. Parents on the so-called ‘school run’ – driving children to and from school, Monday to Friday – can create chaos on the [...]
If you’re part of a school – be it as a teacher, parent, governor or even pupil – and interested in green issues, there’s a lot that you can do to incorporate your environmentally friendly beliefs into school, whichever part of school life you get involved in. There are many [...]
Driving a car anywhere is bad for the environment; in fact it's one of the worst things we can do to emit CO2 into the atmosphere and is a direct contributor to climate change. But for those of us who can't do without driving - or simply don't want to [...]
Having a baby will turn your world and house upside-down. And between sleepless nights and your new hectic routine as Mum or Dad you may get a moment to notice how quickly the dustbin gets filled up. The biggest culprit? Nappies. Not only are disposable nappies expensive and messy, they’re [...]
The current social and political climate has climate change CO2 emissions and doing our bit for the environment at the fore. But how has the UK fared so far in going green? With environmental issues covering nearly all facets of our lives – from where our energy comes from to [...]
Low carbon vehicles are a greener form of car driving. They emit fewer toxic and harmful gases than a standard car does and they go some way at least, to lessening the negative impact that car driving has on the environment. Cars in the UK are big polluters but unfortunately [...]
A big part of saving energy - at home at work or during our everyday lives - is being able to recognise the changes that we can make to our lifestyles that will help towards creating a greener place to live. Of course, there are different types of changes that [...]
Climate change is a long term challenge not just to be debated and tackled today but over the next generations to come. This means that it’s vital to educate our children and our children’s children now in how to fight climate change and what will happen if it’s left unchecked. [...]
With green issues high on the agenda this year there’s a lot being talked about and introduced to tackle one of the biggest contributors of climate change – our homes. With 27% of the UK’s overall CO2 emissions coming from our homes, reducing energy in this area of our lives [...]
It’s widely known that some forms of transport are greener than others. However in reality it’s the gas guzzling, carbon emitting car that remains – for most of us – the transportation of choice. More of us own a car than ever before, despite the rise in petrol prices and [...]
The rise of organic foods has been one of the most significant developments in the recent ‘green revolution.’ Eco-shopping is no longer for the reserves of the eco-warrior and has moved into the mainstream. But though we know they are supposed to be better for us and the environment there’s [...]
As our fossil fuel reserves continue to deplete the race is on to find alternative methods of energy generation to ensure that we continue to have a ready supply of energy. Nuclear power is the most controversial solution to our energy problems that has been proposed. It’s also probably the [...]
Switching to a green energy tariff - be that a green option offered by one of the main six energy companies or energy through a specialist green energy company – is something we’re being encouraged to do now that it’s up to us to combat climate change. But how green [...]
Most of us know using public transport is better for the environment and can even offer a cheaper and quicker route. But in reality the number of cars on the road is continuing to rise. So what is it that’s stopping people from ditching the more expensive not to mention [...]
The best way to start saving energy – at home work or during leisure time – is to take small and easy-to-manage steps. Often even the smallest of changes to our normal routines can have big pay-offs when it comes to reducing carbon emissions. Every little counts, and if all [...]
Supermarkets have never been known as the most environmentally friendly of businesses. In fact they’ve been criticised for their overly packaged goods, building stores on green field land. Their 24-hour convenience shopping ethos can also put a real strain on small, locally run stores. However, with lower prices, long opening [...]
No 21st century household would be complete without a range of gizmos and gadgets to help make quick work of day-to-day tasks. These items make our lives easier but most of us don't realise how much damage our bad energy habits are having on the environment – or how we [...]
The kitchen is the centre of most households – where meals are prepared eaten and enjoyed, and where much of the housework takes place. Of course this high level of activity tends to mean that a high quantity of energy is used up in order to make things run smoothly [...]
Household chores are a daily – or at least weekly - task for most of us from vacuuming rooms and cleaning the bathroom or kitchen to doing the laundry. Getting the housework done is something probably nearly all of us do reluctantly, but, like many other things in the household, [...]
Keeping your house comfortable and cozy particularly during the winter months is one of the biggest preoccupations in any household. As such, energy bills are one of the biggest expenses, even after recent announcements that many of the energy companies would be lowering their costs for customers. This is why [...]
Green issues – and in particular saving energy – have recently hit the limelight but it’s been a long and hard struggle to raise awareness. One of the biggest UK awareness campaigns, Energy Saving Week, has been letting people know the importance of greener living for ten years. It happens [...]
Cycling along with walking, is another great way of getting from A to B. But when it comes to getting on your bike rather than in your car, many of us choose the less environmentally friendly option rather than cycling our short journeys. It’s something most of us could fit [...]
Finding it difficult to adjust your lifestyle in order to make it greener? While nearly all of us would like to green up our lives in practice, making long term commitments to save energy and reduce our carbon footprint can be quite a challenge in the 21st century. Splitting out [...]
What’s the best form of transport of all but probably the one we first forget when it comes to getting from A to B? Walking – it’s the greenest, not to mention cheapest, method of travel. It’s something most of us could fit more of into our lifestyles. Driving a [...]
Another consideration to take into account as well as becoming more energy efficient at home is choosing an eco-friendly energy company. As awareness of green issue increases several single issues green energy companies have entered the fiercely competitive energy market. What are Green Energy Companies? Green energy companies offer electricity [...]
Car journeys contribute a significant amount of our overall carbon footprint. According to the Energy Saving Trust nearly half of us use a car to drive short journeys, journeys that could otherwise be completed in another, more sustainable way. The daily school run, taking our children to and from school, [...]
Insulating your home is one of the best ways to make your home energy efficient – and one of the key ways to save energy is through double glazing. Double glazing acts as second layer of protection for your home from losing heat. And when around half of heat used [...]
No matter how sustainable and green a lifestyle we try to live we all have a personal carbon footprint. Your daily commute in the car, annual holiday abroad, keeping your home warm – they all emit an amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. One recent development in the fight against [...]
It’s been impossible to avoid the green debate in the media and political arena – the world it seems, is waking up to the very real dangers and consequences of climate change. One particular report from economist Nicholas Stern in November 2006 offered an alternative and vitally important twist to [...]
Fancy getting green fingered in the garden but don’t know how to get started? Establishing your own home composting system at home is a quick and easy way to begin your outdoor quest to tame your garden. Making your own compost – fertile and nutrient soil - will really kick [...]
Bringing greener habits into the workplace is an important aspect of tackling climate change. A significant proportion of CO2 emissions come from business related activities so it’s up to employers to provide employees with the opportunity to become more energy efficient. According to the Carbon Trust, businesses account for 40% [...]
The Habits of a Lifetime report was the first cross-European survey to try and understand how households use energy. It gave an insightful look into the habits that different nations have picked up and how good or bad different countries are at being efficient with energy. The survey – conducted [...]
The Kyoto treaty is heralded as one of the most significant pieces of global legislation in the fight against climate change helping to make the world a greener place. Having an understanding of the larger political movements taking place in the green debate helps contextualise smaller contributions we should be [...]
Europe is one of the biggest CO2 emitters but the continent is attempting to curb its bad habits with a series of commitments with the sole purpose of reducing emissions. The need to become greener is all too evident from the effects that climate change will have in Europe if [...]
Saving energy in the home is much more than switching lights off and unplugging appliances. There are more unusual and less obvious ways that you can reduce your household’s carbon footprint: in the garden and when making home improvements. These can be equally as effective and further help to combat [...]
With the growing concern over climate change there’s been pressure for the government to respond with targets aimed at combating the issue. Indeed, it’s become almost fashionable for political parties to add a green flavour to policies in order to show how socially responsible they are. There’s no doubt that [...]
It’s difficult to get away from packaging these days. Every time we go shopping we are presented with tightly packaged mass produced items, accompanied by seemingly unnecessary cardboard, polystyrene, plastic containers, and so on. The outcome of excess packaging on our goods is increasing tonnes of waste going to landfill, [...]
When trying to use less energy in the home it’s important to choose energy saving products to support your efforts. If your boiler’s on the blink, washing machine’s is broken, or you’re just considering investing in more energy efficient products, help is at hand to find the best appliances for [...]
If you’re intending to get your business to operate in a greener and more environmentally conscious way but aren’t sure where to start, then help is at hand. There are already pre-defined systems and standards to work towards that won’t just get your business up to scratch but will also [...]
The chief contributor to climate change is carbon emissions from fossil fuels. However with those finite fuel sources running out considering new forms of energy won’t just be good for the environment, it will be absolutely vital in years to come. For now, a commitment to renewable energy is on [...]
Generating your own energy at home is a great way to save money on your energy bills and reduce your dependency on non-renewable forms of electricity. One form of renewable energy for people to harness at home is energy from the sun – through a solar panel. Developments in renewable [...]
It’s the latest in green fashion good for the environment and even David Cameron’s house is sporting one – a home wind turbine. Amid growing awareness that our fossil fuels are running out, CO2 emissions are rising and so too are our energy bills, more and more people are taking [...]
A recent report by economist Nicholas Stern put the effects of climate change into hard monetary terms. The outcomes of the report were an eye opening indication of what the cost to the environment could be if we act now or what will happen if we don’t change out ways. [...]
The issue of climate change isn’t going to go away. The adverse effect our energy use over the past 200 years has had on the environment means that the next generations will have to deal with the consequences. This makes teaching our children and grandchildren how to be energy efficient [...]
Fairtrade products are widely available in supermarkets and many people never notice the label or understand what it means. But buying fair-trade products can make a real difference not only to producers in developing and resource poor countries, but also to the environment. Although not all fairtrade companies are Carbon [...]
Ever since no-frills low cost flights were introduced in 1993, holidaymakers have been enjoying cheap overseas travel. Where booking a flight as part of a package holiday was once an annual luxury, now flight companies across Europe and beyond offer cut price flights for everyday travel. And even domestic flights [...]
Despite being an island surrounded by water it doesn’t take long for some areas in the UK to run dry come summer. During 2006, several water companies issued hosepipe and sprinkler bans, and almost declared further restrictions on the remaining supply. Being efficient all year round with water will help [...]
We spend a lot of time at work so it’s important to bring greener habits from home into the workplace. There are a surprising number of things that can be done to make meeting a deadline or finishing off a project more environmentally friendly and help reduce our nine to [...]
While most employees make attempts to be energy efficient in their homes their environmental conscience tends to be less active once they get to work. It's up to office managers and employers to bring green attitudes to the workplace. According to research by consultants Logicalis, nearly 60% of workers would [...]
When the long sunny summer months arrive, it’s time to get out of the house into the garden and the outdoors. It’s not the traditional time for thinking about saving energy and reducing your home’s bills. However, there are still things that can be done to keep your energy usage [...]
The idea of ethical shopping traditionally brings up images of eco warriors mung beans and other stereotypes – but forget all that. Making ethical decisions as you shop is a modern, fashionable and smarter way of thinking for any 21st century consumer. But where do you start? With products, brands, [...]
Reducing outgoings is top priority for most households. But short of unplugging the phone and turning the boiler off, saving money on your bills is easier said than done. That said, rethinking your finances can really make a difference to your wallet. Take a Closer Look at Your Energy Bills [...]
Renewable energy is increasingly seen as one possible antidote to the energy crisis. Whereas our coal oil and gas supplies are ever dwindling renewable sources such as wind are continuously available. The UK is embracing the potential of wind energy and wind farms. The world's largest offshore wind farm has [...]
When the nights draw in and the chill of winter hits our homes it’s the time to wrap up warm and enjoy the indoors. Unfortunately, it’s also the season that we tend to rack up high energy bills – especially after all the major energy companies raised their prices throughout [...]
Reducing the amount of energy we use in the home is important but so too is knowing where the energy comes from. Choosing the right energy tariff is becoming another matter to take into consideration if you want to become more environmentally aware. As a result of growing concern over [...]
Running a household is a busy and stressful job at the best of times. Add in the daunting prospect of making your home energy efficient and many of us wonder where we’ll get the energy from ourselves to start making changes. But it really is easier than you think to [...]
We all know that it’s important to save energy. In fact it’s been impossible to ignore the headlines telling us to do our bit for the environment, reduce our carbon footprint, adopt a greener lifestyle, and so on. But how many of us know the hard facts as to why [...]
