Angela Terry, CEO of environmental education charity One Home Climate Solutions, makes the case for community groups playing a greater role in tackling climate change and sets out top tips for cutting carbon.
“Hope is taking action. Hope comes from the people.” These words from Greta Thunberg shine a light on the power of local action and tackling climate change from the ground up. It’s a guiding principle for Community Energy and its members who are united behind a collective purpose.
From my time developing community-owned wind and solar farms, such as Westmill and Boyndie Co-op, I appreciate that systematic change is crucial to reach net zero. We need strong policies with sustainability at the centre, more investment in clean technologies and laws that are centred on protecting our future, so polluters pay instead of receiving subsidies. With a new Government that has already overturned the ban on onshore wind power in England and a proposed Local Power Plan there is renewed hope. But to succeed, this transition has to be combined with building a movement that brings everybody with us. It is not only the right thing to do but behaviour change is essential to reaching around 70% of net zero policies. Decarbonising the grid is the ‘easy part’ of the transition.
As CEE members, you are already an important part of that movement: helping to build a more resilient energy system that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and brings benefits to your local community. But going forward, your role will be even more essential, which is why I urge all community energy groups to raise their voices to help cut carbon.
Through your members and community benefits, you can help to spread the word about what you are achieving and advise citizens on how to tackle climate change. We often underestimate the influence our actions have on the people around us. Simply by talking about what we are doing, we help to normalise sustainable choices and nudge others into taking similar action.
Outlined below is a list of ideas for making impactful changes at home that will benefit our health, finances and the planet. One Home’s content can be used by all community groups so please read on and share widely.
Raise your voice
It’s already been said but it’s probably the most important, single action you can take. Speak up for climate action. That means getting in touch with your new MP and your local councillors. Write to them, visit them in their surgeries, talk to them via social media or at events. After Labours’ success in the General Election, there are literally hundreds of new MPs to engage with and to demonstrate how important this subject is to their constituents (so their mail bag is more about a thriving planet than pothole concerns). Ask friends, family and colleagues to do the same. And involve your local media. Journalists need content so they will welcome citizens raising our voices about community energy.
Eat a low carbon diet.
Buying less meat and dairy is the best route to a low carbon diet. Globally, the meat industry generates nearly 20 per cent of man-made greenhouse gases. Beef and lamb production, in particular, has a high carbon footprint so, if you do occasionally buy meat, opt for unprocessed chicken or pork instead. For example, one calorie of pork has about one-seventh the climate impact of one calorie of beef. Learn more about the benefits of a low carbon diet here.
Walk, cycle, train and bus more
Transport is the main source of carbon dioxide in the UK as well as toxic air that kills thousands prematurely every year. Using our legs more also boosts our physical and mental well being as well as saving money so keep this in mind when deciding whether to hop on your electric bike or jump in the car. Consider joining a car club and try to lift share if possible. If and when you need a new vehicle then fully electric, small cars are the way forward and the second-hand market is booming.
Make your home warm and cosy
This may not be top of mind during the drizzly British summer but it’s worth making improvements now before the cold weather sets in again. Energy bills are 60% higher than before the war in Ukraine started. One Home has a guide and video to help you save energy at home for any budget. Find them both here. Insulation has the biggest impact on energy conservation in the home to avoid heating the sky. Top up your loft insulation to 30cm and fill cavity walls to keep warm air in your house. Other easy wins include draft-proofing windows and doors, secondary film glazing, smart thermostats set at 19C and using thermal lining on curtains. If you have a combi boiler, then lower the water temperature that flows around your home. This is free to do and suitable for those in rented accommodation, as well as home owners.
Choose green energy
You’re already doing a great job in supporting renewable energy projects. Consider if your home is suitable for solar panels or heat pumps. The Government has a scheme that provides grants of £7,500 to upgrade to a heat pump or biomass boiler. Read about Clare, one homeowner who has taken the plunge and swapped her old gas boiler for an air source heat pump. Nesta run a scheme so you can visit a home with an air-source heat pump.
Consume less
Being more mindful of what we really need is an easy win. Everything we buy uses energy and has an environment cost. More stuff adds to the clutter in our homes so interrogate whether you really need that item, or if can it be sourced in a less damaging way via pre-loved sites, borrowing from friends or make do and mend.
Holiday close to home
Flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities and frequent flying is a particular problem. Re-thinking our approach to travel avoids airport stress and can be great fun. There are plenty of amazing holiday experiences in the UK that enjoy all the benefits of flight-free trips – no queues, germs or jetlag. If you wish to travel beyond Great Britain, consider ferry routes to Europe or the Eurostar and let the train take the strain.
Join an environmental group
Joining a local group is a great way to energise, motivate and inspire action, benefit your community and help tackle eco anxiety. From tree planting to repair cafes, we’re not alone in the fight against climate change and together we’re stronger.
Plant a tree
Trees are wonderful. If you haven’t got space to plant one at home, support local tree planting schemes, or donate to organisations that are committed to increasing tree cover. Woodland Trust offers free trees in schools and communities. The Forestry Commission has useful resources to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place, such as their Urban Tree Manual.
Check your investments
This one is crucial but does involve some homework. Is your money propping up industries that are causing environmental damage? This includes your bank but also investments and pensions. Even schemes branded ‘ethical’ can invest in polluting industries. There are several ethical banks and a number of impact investment apps available that allow you to back businesses that are committed to making positive change. Investing in sustainable ventures through ethical crowd funding schemes provides a way to invest directly in projects or organisatons that have a positive impact, as you already do through community energy.
And finally….
Millions of climate actions add up. Our total emissions are the combination of decisions made every day. The IPCC states that changes driven by consumers in terms of diet, food waste and switching to low carbon transport can achieve significant cuts in emissions from many sectors. We are all playing a part in the future of the planet – let’s make it as positive and impactful as we can.
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