Energy & Carbon Dioxide
Energy is produced to generate electricity and to keep us warm. Most energy is produced by the burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas, which release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Fuel burnt in our cars also releases carbon dioxide. As an individual, you have little control on how your
energy is produced. However, you can control the way in which you use that energy. Using less energy means less needs to be produced. Hence less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
Saving Energy
There are a number of ways that you can help to save energy in your home:
•= Turn off lights and appliances when they are not needed;
•= Insulate the walls and loft;
•= Have a shower instead of a bath;
•= Fit double glazing;
•= Turn your heating down. (Turning it down by 1oC saves 10% on energy bills.)
Recycling
At present in the UK we produce 28 million tonnes of household rubbish a year. 90% of this waste is dumped into landfill sites. Landfill waste produces the second most important greenhouse gas, which is methane. If we can recycle more of this waste, the need to mine raw
materials will decrease and less waste will need to be buried as landfill.
Leaving the Car at Home
Road transport is the fastest growing sector in the UK. A quarter of carbon dioxide emissions comes from road transport. By using public transport, and by cycling and walking more, we can
reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released by our cars.