Climate and our quality of life

CLIMATE CHANGE, OR GLOBAL WARMING, CAN BE AN ADDED WORRY. IT CAN FEEL AS IF DOING OUR BIT TO HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT WILL TAKE UP EVEN MORE OF OUR TIME AND ENERGY AND MAY COST MORE TOO.

The good news is we can improve our quality of life and help prevent climate change at the same time – and it can save us money.

The big five

THE FIVE BIGGEST AREAS OF OUR LIVES THAT TAKE UP MOST OF OUR TIME AND MONEY ARE:

Heating: Be warmer, save money on fuel bills and feel good about your home. Insulating your home will do all this and save 80% of CO₂ emissions.

Transport: Sharing a lift or using public transport means you can relax, rest or catch up on a good book. It’s not very different to being chauffeur-driven! But it will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% from transport.

Food: Do you want to eat the most delicious, nutritious and chemical-free food? Local, seasonal, organic food ticks all these boxes and can reduce CO₂ emissions by 80%.

Holidays: A holiday should be relaxing and stress free and can give you an experience of new places, maybe with family and friends. Going by train or bus, rather than flying, can be less stressful, more fulfilling and save over 80% of CO₂ emissions.

Products: Do you want what you buy to look good, be easy to use and last a long time? Buying quality, long lasting products can reduce CO₂ emissions from manufacturing by up to 80%

Making good choices in these areas can boost employment where you live and put money back into the local economy. It helps connect individuals and communities and whilst it sometimes takes a little more investment up front, it usually saves money in the long run.

Doing our bit to reduce CO₂ and avert climate change is likely to increase our health, wellbeing and happiness in all areas of our lives. Read our ‘Actions’ page for the 10 biggest things you can do, and they are easy and enjoyable.