Climate change is the most important issue ever faced by humanity. The science is now pretty conclusively saying that current warming is due to human activity. If we don't do something about our greenhouse gas emissions we are facing the possibility of making our planet, in the medium term, inhospitable and eventually possibly even uninhabitable. The most current science also says that we have less than 10 years to make the changes we need to make to protect the planet from the worst effects of climate change. Our kids future I have one year old twins. By the time they are old enough to understand the issues, I do not want to have to explain that we had a chance to protect their future, but we blew it.听I am really passionate about making a difference, in any way I can, to reduce Nottingham's impact on climate change. I work for The Nottingham Energy Partnership, Nottingham's Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency Agency. I lead on the energy sources side, promoting the development of renewable energy systems like wind power and solar power in the city.
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One of our longest running programmes is the Healthy Housing Service. Working with Local Authorities and the Primary Care Trust, we help people to access up to 拢2,700 worth of energy saving measures for their homes. Energy saving I am not really a big fan of gadgets to cut energy use. My biggest tip in going green is actually one of the easiest. Everyone should switch to a green electricity supplier. Almost all electricity companies offer some form of green tariff, but some are not as green as they seem, you can get an unbiased comparison online.听Green electricity doesn't even have to cost any more, some green suppliers will price match your local supplier! Cooking counts for 7% of all our household energy, just putting a saucepan lid on the saucepan and turning down the gas, reduces the energy needed to cook rice or pasta. The solar and wind powered tumble drier, also known as a washing line, is a handy low-tech solution to energy efficiency. Even on a bright cold or a windy day, as long as it isn't raining, clothes can dry pretty quickly and for free. With the amount of washable nappies we get through with the twins, I hate to think how much energy a tumble drier would use! What we can each do to help slow climate change is proportional to our influence and means.听People with power and influence can make big changes, but it is the changes we make within our own lives, the things that we do every day, that add up to move the way that business and politicians make decisions; buying green, using less, demanding changes and speaking up. Already companies and politicians are fighting for the green pound and the green vote; we need to make them earn it.
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