last updated 10th March 05
by 4ecotips.com

Small changes to lifestyle can help reduce CO2

Going green could save individuals thousands of pounds as well as helping to tackle climate change, according to a new guide by Friends of the Earth and Collins. Save cash and save the planet provides dozens of top tips on how small changes to your lifestyle can help reduce emissions of carbon dioxide while saving you cash at the same time.

According to the book's authors, Andrea Smith and Nicola Baird, energy saving measures just within the home can cut energy bills for a typical family in a three-bedroom semi by £200 a year. One piece of research claims that living an exemplary green lifestyle from cradle to grave could save up to £80,000 over a hypothetical individual's lifetime, reducing climate emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes [1]. Save cash and save the planet shows how making even small changes in your lifestyle can make a real difference to the health of the planet and save money as well.

Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper said: “Save cash and save the planet shows that being good to the planet can be good for your budget and improve the quality of your life too. Most of us cherish a clean and safe environment - this book tells you how we can all help this to be achieved.”

“Climate change is the biggest environmental threats the planet faces. But this guide shows how we can all help to reduce its impact by not wasting energy. Small steps such as turning down the thermostat, switching to energy efficient light bulbs or driving a fuel efficient car will save cash and help the environment by reducing our impact on climate change.”

Recent figures show that domestic energy use accounts for 27 per cent of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, with another 26.5 per cent coming from transport [2]. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that each year UK houses lose enough heat - through windows and walls - to heat 3 million homes for a year.

But individuals can do their bit to bring down emissions by taking action to save energy across all areas of their life see Eco Reference page – Did You Know?