Invicta Vlogs
Combat Climate Change
With this week’s theme of the week being Combat Climate Change: Energy Efficiency, I could not think of a better time to give some tips on how we could all reduce our Carbon Footprint. The recent rise of Climate Change activism, including the #FridaysForFuture strikes taking place every Friday; we now have access to so much information and guidance as to how we can do our part to combat Climate Change.
The Committee on Climate Change are one of many institutions that provide information to us, the public, that aims to shape environmental legislation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their 3 main tips include:
- Adequate roof insulation
- Replacement of bulbs to energy efficient ones
- Replacement of boilers to energy efficient ones
These methods would not only benefit the planet but could help reduce the cost of your bills too (and who would not want that?). With loft insulation helping to save around £100 annually, changing to energy efficient bulbs saving £35-£50 annually and replacement of old boilers, potentially saving £115 a year. If you have already done all of these, do not worry there is always more you can do. By turning down the thermostat in your home by 1°C, you could save around £50 annually.
With most of the tips for reducing energy efficiency aimed at adults, here are some tips that everyone can get on board with, to reduce our Carbon Footprint. Through ‘Meat Free Mondays’ we could collectively reduce our meat intake by a huge amount. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations have said the livestock sector is one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems. The classic tip of taking showers instead of baths still stands, using 45 litres less. If a family of four replaced one bath a week with a 5 minute shower, they could save £18 a year on gas bills and £21 on water bills. One tonne of white un-recycled paper creates the equivalent of 2 tonnes of carbon emissions and consumes 22,000 gallons of water. With Invicta now having recycling bins in every classroom, we are definitely cutting down on our paper wastage.
With our current social climate, such as Australia’s devastating wildfires, we need more people like Greta Thunberg to advocate for change. We should all take responsibility for our planet and start taking steps towards a Carbon Neutral future. Please do think about this and make a change!
Abby Holt
Senior Prefect
