Reduce Emissions

Cut your household greenhouse gas emissions today, not tomorrow.

Each time we switch on a light, fire-up the central heating, or even eat a hot meal we use energy. Whatever kind of fuel we use, whether we burn it directly, or indirectly by using electricity generated from fossil fuels, we are releasing Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere.

CO₂ is one of the main gases that contributes to global warming, which is now scientifically recognised as a real threat to today's climate.  This doesn't just mean warmer summers and milder winters: global climate change is responsible for there being more floods, storms and droughts around the world than ever before.

Over the past 20 years, scientists have gathered conclusive evidence that temperatures have been rising sharply since the start of the industrial revolution, and that mankind is the main cause of the current global climate change.

Most of the change in global average temperatures has been in the past century as the world industrialised and its population grew rapidly.  From fluctuating in a narrow band around 0.5°C below the average 1990 temperature, it has started to rise sharply and is most likely to be between 1.5°C and 5.5°C above current temperatures by 2100.

Over a quarter of the CO₂ produced in the UK comes from the fuel we use in our homes.  By insulating our homes, controlling the way we use our heating and using other appliances sensibly we can have a major impact on the amount of energy and CO₂ used.  With another quarter of British energy used by motor cars, we can also help reduce the risks from global climate change by avoiding unnecessary car trips, using public transport, cycling or walking whenever possible.

Whilst we at www.electricity-monitor.com currently support the generation of electricity from coal as a short-term strategy, we are against the use of precious natural gas and oil reserves in this manner.  The argument in favour of coal fired power stations is grounded in the transportation costs of coal and its limited suitability for domestic heating.  Moving large quantities of coal  to power generation plants by rail, where its stored energy can be released and converted under tightly controlled conditions is currently the most suitable use for our global coal reserves.

Conversely, we already have a pipeline distribution network established to physically transport natural gas efficiently, where it can be used to heat our homes directly.  Generating electricity from globally limited gas resources which might otherwise be used to heat our homes further into the future is insanely wasteful and short-sighted.  We urgently need to invest in sustainable low-carbon electricity generation methods to prolong the usefulness of our fossil fuel resources for home heating and transportation.

In the meantime we should each take our share of the responsibilty to stop wasting electricity while it continues to be generated from the burning of fossil fuels, whether it be coal, gas or oil.

The average household can cut at least £100 a year off their fuel bills without losing either warmth or comfort simply by using energy efficiently and effectively, and at the same time make a considerable reduction in CO₂ emissions. 

The latest range of wireless home electricity monitors will help by enabling you to make savings in your electricity bills, resulting in further reductions in your household CO₂ emissions.