Going green

[MsGill]

Is sharing a shower a good idea?
I can't afford a hybrid car or solar panels, so I'm looking for tips to save the world's energy - and my money.

[Stella]

Doesn't it all depend on who you are wanting to share it with?

[ragapuzz]

I know a better one

save water bath with another in lots of wine mmmmmmmmmm

[MsGill]

I shouldn't have mentioned sharing a shower!

I'm looking for serious suggestions about living a greener life at home and work.

Someone said I should replace my light bulbs with low energy ones, but they are dearer and what do I do with the ones I take out? Is it a good idea?

Should I stop using my dish washer, tumbler drier and micro wave? It would be inconvenient but would it help save the planet and save me money?

What's worth doing - that's what I want to know.

[jacob]

Luckily it's a one issue problem; fossil fuels. Stop using them or any of their derivatives in the widest sense.
So don't go anywhere except on foot, bike, horse (perhaps), sail, and public transport in dire emergencies. Steam power fueled by wood from sustainable sources?
Don't use any plastics.
Don't heat your house with anything derived from fossil fuels.
Go vegetarian - meat has a terrible carbon footprint.
Etc, etc
It's easy, except nobody is going to do the necessary until forced to by circumstances.
Three of the biggest sacred cows which will have to go are economic growth, high employment and low taxation. We need the opposite; fewer people producing/consuming and better distribution of the products of those who work.
Is that likely to happen? Well it's happening now (recession) but nobody likes it even at this minor level of inconvenience.

Or to put it another way - we are all doomed!


cheers
Jacob

[BarryF]

I found the "Act on co2" website helpful, MSGill.

Did you know in the UK we waste £800million each year by leaving TVs, DVDs, computers etc on standby? And £140 million a year by leaving lights on in empty rooms?

Have a look at www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2 (http://www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2)

It helps you work out your carbon footprint as well offering hints at saving money and energy.

[jacob]

It's a lot of money but to be realistic it's only a tiny fraction of our total energy usage. And a lot of the waste is industrial - offices with lights and computers left on etc.
On a domestic level I don't think leaving the TV on standby is significant, compared with very wasteful processes such as tumble drying.
I think there is a tendency towards denial, and people are reassuring themselves with token gestures - light bulbs and standby being the most popular and easiest to implement.
If there is any truth in the climate change hypothesis then we're in for major change in lifestyle, which unfortunately the politicians are too timid to talk about as yet, and the population is trying to ignore.

Sorry to sound so apocalyptic! According to many sources the best thing an individual can do is to turn strictly vegetarian. Not that I have, having just finished off some bacon and eggs!

cheers
Jacob

[MsGill]

I'm looking to save money, as well as doing a tiny bit towards saving the planet, Jacob.

If I turn off lights, boil less water, stop draughts, peg out clothes, use energy-efficient bulbs and remember to switch off the TV instead of leaving it on stand by - it will surely save me money.

And if millions and millions of people in their homes and businesses do the same it will make a difference to global warming, won't it ?

[Paul-C]

MsGill maybe this website might hold the key to your life of sustainability

http://www.zedfactory.com/

http://www.zedfactory.com/assets/ZEDwheel.gif

"ZEDfactory is an innovative practice specialising in low energy, low environmental impact buildings and associated lifestyles. Within the wider context of sustainable development we are committed to good quality design based on careful analysis of end user needs."
The ZEDwheel right (now Above) shows the make up of our current carbon footprint in the UK.
If the whole planet where to have the same consumption we would require 3 planets to support us

[jacob]

Had a look at Zedfactory but it's difficult to find answers to Msgill's question. The most likely bit is the philosophy.pdf (http://www.zedfactory.com/zedfactory_why.htm) but that's already dated e.g. they talk of (rape seed) bio-fuel, which is now recognised as an impossible dream unless we destroy the 3rd world with de-forestation and mono culture of oil producing agriculture.
They also are a bit glib about animal farming - the pretty drawing doesn't include the many acres of ground which would be needed to support the cattle and the methane plant!
This is first generation greenery. 2nd generation says no to meat and bio fuel - both are already devastating tropical forests.

cheers
Jacob

[Paul-C]

Had a look at Zedfactory but it's difficult to find answers to Msgill's question. The most likely bit is the philosophy.pdf (http://www.zedfactory.com/zedfactory_why.htm) but that's already dated e.g. they talk of (rape seed) bio-fuel, which is now recognised as an impossible dream unless we destroy the 3rd world with de-forestation and mono culture of oil producing agriculture.
They also are a bit glib about animal farming - the pretty drawing doesn't include the many acres of ground which would be needed to support the cattle and the methane plant!
This is first generation greenery. 2nd generation says no to meat and bio fuel - both are already devastating tropical forests.

cheers
Jacob

What I was trying to put across was we can all do our bit but will it really help isave the world in the long run so maybe we need to change the whole concept of how we live which admittedly is a drastic and an unrealistic way forward.

But having said that Architects/Building Designers are creating office/education/homes etc which are built in accordance with the buzz word of sustainability. Incorporating geothermal technology, rainwater harvesting, recycled materials and the latest in the fight against construction waste is the introduction of the Site Waste Management Plans Regs 2008 although it could again be argued this is not enough as it only applies to construction projects costing more than £300,000.

Quoting MsGill “I'm looking to save money, as well as doing a tiny bit towards saving the planet, Jacob.

If I turn off lights, boil less water, stop draughts, peg out clothes, use energy-efficient bulbs and remember to switch off the TV instead of leaving it on stand by - it will surely save me money.

And if millions and millions of people in their homes and businesses do the same it will make a difference to global warming, won't it?”

Firstly we all need to look at the type of structure we live in and by addressing the alterations we can make to increasing the buildings energy performance which can be measured by using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) – the government’s standard method of home energy ratings.

If you live in a solid walled house it is possible to achieve SAP ratings equal to, or better than, those of new build properties complying with Building Regulations.

The energy efficient measures most often adopted in solid walled houses are:

§ Loft Insulation
§ Insulated dry lining to external walls or external insulating render
§ Ground floor insulation
§ Secondary glazing
§ Gas central heating with a condensing boiler
§ Factory insulated hot water cylinder
§ Controlled ventilation system

At the end of the day saving the planet comes down to how much will it cost me!