There is a real feel-good factor knowing you are doing something positive to make a difference, and that everyone stands to benefit, everyone can take part whoever you are.
When we can walk or cycle instead of driving, reduce our consumption, or use clean energy, every small change we make helps to reduce our own carbon footprints, and tackle climate change more widely.
Councillor Caroline Leaver, North Devon lead on climate change
Whether walking or cycling, take the scenic route
1. Insulate your home
BE WARMER, SAVE MONEY ON FUEL BILLS, FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR HOME AND GET A HIGH RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT. SAVE UP TO 2 TONNES OF CO2 PER PERSON PER YEAR.
Start with the easier and cheaper ways, like loft insulation, draught-proofing, and secondary or double glazing. This can cut 40 to 50% of heat loss, and the money saved on bills can offer a 7-12% return.
Good draught-proofing will keep you warm, but once fitted you need to keep your home ventilated by opening windows regularly on nice days – or you can fit mechanical ventilation.
The next level is wall and floor insulation. For most homes, external wall insulation is better than internal as it avoids the risk of trapping condensation between the wall and insulation material.
2. Save a seven hour economy flight
VISIT A CLOSER DESTINATION AND SAVE TIME AND MONEY, OR FLY HALF AS OFTEN AND STAY TWICE AS LONG FOR A MORE SATISFYING TRAVEL EXPERIENCE. CUTS YOUR FOOTPRINT BY 3 TONNES!
3. Downsize your car
GO FROM LARGE TO MEDIUM OR MEDIUM TO SMALL AND YOU’LL SAVE MONEY ON FUEL AND INSURANCE – PLUS PARKING WILL BE EASIER. SAVE 1 TONNE.
4. Travel to work differently
SHARING A LIFT WITH JUST ONE OTHER PERSON ON A 40-MINUTE DAILY COMMUTE SAVES 2 TONNES OF CO2 A YEAR. PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR BICYCLES DO MORE THAN SAVE MONEY AND CARBON.
Lift sharing is social time, cycling provides in-built exercise and, ensuring its safe and healthy to do so, using public transport gives you time to rest or catch up on a good book so you arrive refreshed.
5. Purchase high quality, long lasting products
SAVES SHOPPING TIME AND MONEY (IN THE LONG RUN), PLUS YOU’LL HAVE THE PLEASURE OF USING TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS.
A typical home will have around 25 major products, from carpets and mattresses to kitchen appliances and TVs. Making, distributing and selling all these items produces CO2, so it makes sense to try and buy long lasting products that don’t need to be replaced as often. Save up to 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per year.
6. Switch to electricity which comes from renewables
FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR ELECTRICITY USE AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF WHAT CAN BE BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MORE TRANSPARENT BILLING. SAVE 1 TONNE A YEAR.
7. Buy seasonal food from small scale, local and organic farms
ENJOY EATING QUALITY FOOD WITHOUT PESTICIDES FOR IMPROVED FLAVOUR AND LONG TERM HEALTH. SAVE 1 TONNE.
When you do this you’re also supporting our beautiful landscape with its hedgerows of birds, bees and butterflies. Local food keeps jobs in the local economy and often results in an enhanced shopping experience. Why not consider finding a local bulk buying group?
8. Eat less quantity but higher quality meat
CONSUMING LESS PROCESSED AND IMPORTED MEAT AND MORE FRESH, LOCAL, GRASS-FED MEAT CAN IMPROVE HEALTH, MAKE YOU A MORE CREATIVE COOK AND SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS. WHEN IT COMES TO DAIRY PRODUCTS, GO ORGANIC!
9. Ditch a two-hour premium return flight
TAKING AN INTERNATIONAL TRAIN INSTEAD WILL SAVE ONE TONNE OF CO2 AND AVOID AIRPORT STRESS, SAVE CHECKING-IN TIME AND YOU’LL ENJOY THE JOURNEY FAR MORE.
10. Repair, re-use and buy half your products secondhand
YOU’LL SAVE MONEY SO YOU CAN AFFORD HIGHER QUALITY PRODUCTS. BUYING FROM OTHERS ALSO ENHANCES COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
