Green Energy Republic

Stop the daylight robbery

 
As a general rule, most of us like to be awake when it’s light and asleep when it’s dark right? Right. Then it’s interesting to ponder why every year the country sets its clocks so that we spend more time sleeping in the light and less time living in it.

Headed up by our friends at 10.10, the Lighter Later campaign is calling for a three-year trial of a new timekeeping model where Britain’s clocks are moved forward by one hour throughout the year. But setting Britain’s clocks to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +1 hour in winter and GMT +2 hours in summer is about far more than reducing the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

More natural light during the day would reduce the need for polluting electric lights, which according to Lighter Later would cut at least 447,000 tonnes of CO2 pollution – the equivalent to more than 50,000 cars driving all the way around the world – each year. It would also lower electricity bills and reduce peak power demand.

But there are also a host of social benefits. Lighter Later claims that the move would save 100 lives each year and prevent hundreds of serious injuries by making the roads safer. This in turn would save the NHS around £138 million a year through reducing road casualties. It would also reduce crime and the fear of crime, help make people healthier and tackle obesity by giving people more time to exercise and play sport outside in the evening, improve quality of life for older people, and create 60-80,000 new jobs in leisure and tourism, bringing an extra £2.5 - £3.5 billion into the economy each year.

With all the potential benefits it could bring Good Energy thinks it sounds like a no-brainer, and 10.10 say it’s the best proof yet that cutting carbon and making life better can and should go hand in hand.

The Daylight Saving Bill, is being presented as a Private Members Bill later today and it will be the first chance for the Government to decide whether they will back the proposal or not. It would seem that lots of MPs are planning to vote in favour, but the decision is really in the hands of the ministers, so the support of Vince Cable and Ed Davey in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is vital.

You can register your support for Lighter Later here, but we’ll keep you posted on how it goes in Parliament today.

10.10.10 - It's here!

The Global Day of Doing has arrived.
According to campaign organiser 10.10 it’s the biggest day of positive action on climate change. Ever. And people all over the world are taking part in a huge variety of eccentric and innovative events to signal their support for cutting their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010. So find a 10.10.10 event near you and get out and signal your support for a low-carbon future. Have fun.

Countdown to 10.10.10 - 2 days to go!

Thumbs up for thimbles

 
Instead of hitting the shops to bag the latest fashion pieces, why not gather a few friends around and take a needle and thread to some of your more wearied items of clothing. Most local haberdashers harbour a treasure trove of colourful material scraps that you can get your hands on for mere pennies. And sparkles, prints, paints and buttons can reinvigorate a sorry-looking T-shirt or skirt. Just don’t forget your thimble!

Countdown to 10.10.10 - 3 days to go!

Snug as a bug in a rug.

Instead of turning the heating on when you get home tonight why not throw on an extra couple of woollens and snuggle up under a blanket.

Countdown to 10.10.10 - 4 days to go!

 

 

B.Y.O. Buffet

Get ready to loosen your belt buckles...A great way to bond with your colleagues and lower your impact on the environment is to enjoy a low-carbon buffet lunch.

Abandon the packaged sandwiches for a day and embrace the Tupperware. Encourage each member of your team to bring in a home-made dish to share. Preparing food for more than one person immediately reduces energy consumption and sourcing your ingredients locally and eating vegetarian lowers your carbon food-print even more.

The culinary creativity may well surprise you so get cooking!

For more low-carbon cooking ideas check out the Good Energy Shop.

Countdown to 10.10.10 - 5 days to go!

Swap shop

No household is complete without the requisite and ever multiplying horde of no longer or never wanted pieces of clothing. But, one man’s jumble is another man’s jumper. Or so the idiom (sort of) goes.

For a fun and free way to bag yourself a couple of ‘new’ garments why not organise a swap shop? All you need is for each person to bring in a few items of unwanted (but still wearable!) attire to exchange and you’ve got your very own low-carbon, in-house, shopping centre costing absolutely nothing.

Show your support for 10.10.10 and get swapping.

Countdown to 10.10.10 – 6 days to go!

 

 

No tossers here

Litter is a growing problem. Last year alone an estimated 25 million tonnes were dropped in Britain. It is an eyesore, and a hazard to pets, wild animals and people alike. While not directly related to lowering your carbon footprint, being involved in a community litter pick certainly helps your local natural environment as well as being a great way to bond with your friends in the fresh air. Who needs to go to a carbon-hungry, expensive gym when you can stretch your legs and throw in a few squats and bicep workouts for free?

Countdown to 10.10.10 – 7 days to go!

Super Sumo Cycling

Across Japan sumo wrestlers will cycle to training on 10.10.10 to show their commitment to cutting carbon emissions as part of the 10.10’s Global Day of Doing. If you don’t do it already, why don’t you give it a go too? You don’t have to don a sumo costume, but feel free to, we’d love to see a photo!

If your daily commute is a cycle too far, perhaps you could investigate taking public transport to work. You never know who you might meet on the bus or train. But if socialising before your morning caffeine fix is too much to ask, time spent on public transport is a great chance to get into a good book or simply watch the world go by through the window.

Countdown to 10.10.10 – 8 days to go!

Get in the game

Sunday was traditionally a day for households to get together for some quality time. But in this fast-paced electronic world more and more downtime is spent in the company of a computer, television, games console or personal stereo. To show your support for 10.10.10  why not try turning off all your electric entertainment appliances for the day, dust off the board games we know everybody has somewhere in the house, and gather around for some good old-fashioned fun.

Countdown 10.10.10 – 9 days to go!

Music and moonlight, love and romance.

Your love life isn’t normally the place you look to boost your green credentials, but from love-ly aphrodisiacal salad leaves to turning shivers into quivers, we’ve gathered a few tips to help you do just that. While having some fun too! Check out the Good Love section at the Good Energy Shop.
 
And you’ll be in good company – to show its commitment to cutting carbon emissions Germany is marking 10.10.10 with a low carbon speed dating event.