Green Issues

WINNERS OF 3 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS IN 2007!

Winner of a National Green Apple Environmental award.

Winner of the Lancashire Business Environmental Association's Environmental Management Award.

Winner of the Lancashire Telegraph's 2007 Environmental Company of the year.

However we still need to be aware that we could be heading for a scorched earth where up to 4 Billion of us face droughts, death from heat and disease, famine and war between countries fighting for diminishing resources. Where upwards of 50% of species face extinction and an economic collapse akin to fighting 2 world wars and the 1930’s stock market collapse will affect everyone of us.

Now imagine that happening within the lifetime of a child today – our children and grandchildren.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Stern Review and the governments that are advised by these experts say this is what will happen, by as early as 2050, if we don’t save energy and reduce the current levels of green house gases (GHG) (http://www.ghgonline.org/). They say that we have a diminishing window of, at most 10 years, to take sufficient and urgent action.

Frightening isn’t it?

But it doesn’t have to be like this if we act now as individuals and citizens. Greenfield is proud to be the first UK carbon neutral* training and consultancy company and is committed to a sustainable world – doing what we can and helping those we know and work with to achieve this. We have compiled a list of links, actions and information that will help you save energy, reduce GHG and make a difference.

*Carbon Neutral status means reducing CO2 emissions from an operation or activity to net zero: carbon emissions are counter-balanced by carbon savings.

As Individuals you can save money, cut bills and save the environment

Conserve fuel by turning down the heat by 20% at night and while you are away from your home — or install a programmable thermostat
Insulated roofs and well fitted windows can make a huge saving on your heating bill. An insulated roof saves you around £70.00 per annum, and some councils / organisations give grants
Turn off all standbys e.g. TV, computers etc and save around 10% off your energy bill
Furnish your home with furniture made out of sustainable natural fibres, wood, metal and glass—ask the shop. Only buy garden furniture with the FSC label
Buy locally — not only is it good for the local economy, it will save energy because products haven’t traveled across the globe to get to you
Avoid excess packaging—do like the WI and give the supermarkets back their excess packaging. Soon Councils will be charging households by the weight of rubbish they throw out
Compost your food waste and use as nutrient rich soil for your lawn
Always use reusables: mugs, lunch containers, batteries, pens, razors, etc
30% of water is flushed down the toilet. Water companies will often give you a free ”hippo” or “hog” for your cistern which will cut the amount of water you use. And if you are on water meters or may go on one in the future the more you cut down the lower your water bills
Fix any leaky taps, toilets or water pipes. Even a small drip can add up to a lot of water over time
Use a downpipe diverter from the drain into watering your garden or washing your car
Leave a little part of your garden to go wild for the wild life, birds and insects in your garden. This will mean less work for you and more time to sit and enjoy a glass of wine in your deckchair
Plant a tree for a loved one’s birthday
Change to a green electricity provider
Change to an ethical bank and Building Society
Spread the work to friends, family and neighbours

As a citizen

The government department responsible for leading the UK response on climate change is DEFRA. Write to the Minister for the Environment and express your opinions
If you have contacted your MP and want to see their voting and speeches on climate change you can use the site www.theyworkforyou.com
You can sign up to the BBC’s action network to make contact with others in your local area concerned with issues such as climate change
Avoid flying—take some holidays in Britain and go by train. If your holiday does include a flight buy carbon off set credits which will go towards planting trees to absorb the CO2 emitted—you will be surprised how cheap they are!
Unless you are lonely, stop junk mail—contact www.mpsonline.org.uk

As an employee

Look at car sharing to work—see web site details below
Turn off all lights and heating from rooms you are not using—costs you nothing but will slash bills
Recycling cartridges / toner from printers / photocopiers can make a substantial saving which should then be spent on cakes from your local baker
Turn off your computer, don’t leave it on standby, when you leave work at the end of the day
Waste disposal costs can be up to 5% of your companies’ annual turnover, so more and more businesses are finding it pays to look at sustainable ways of dealing with waste.
Plastic cups – they’re everywhere in vending machines, water dispensers, etc. Get your own personal real mug, a cuppa always taste better that way. Cut down on the number of cups you use, wherever possible. Call or visit Save-a-cup, 01494 510167 to find out about a plastic cup collection and recycling service.

Paper: Only print when you really need to print double sided where possible. Re-use scrap paper for notes. Have a paper recycling bin right by your desk for easy separation
If your company has a water cooler don't keep using a fresh cup every time you need a drink, instead bring in a glass from home
Ask your boss if you can switch your company's energy to a green supplier

Greenfield is a corporate sponsor for Buglife.

Why is there a need for a trust devoted to invertebrate conservation?
Invertebrates are the backbone for life on earth—without insects there is no life on earth.

At least 65% of all species on the planet are invertebrates, there are more than 47,500 species in the UK, many are critically endangered - the Shorthaired bumblebee and the emerald moth became extinct in the last 15 years.

Invertebrates provide us with food and ecological, agricultural, medical and technological benefits. Invertebrate populations are essential food to most birds and mammals. Invertebrates are integral to ecosystem function.

Why don’t you support an environmental charity

www.buglife.org.uk

Useful Web Sites

www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork
www.buglife.org.uk
www.carbonfootprint.com
www.carbonneutral.com
www.climatecare.org/
www.climatechallenge.gov.uk
www.climatechangenow.com
www.defra.gov.uk/environment
www.dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2
www.ecospaint.com
www.ecotricity.co.uk
www.foe.co.uk
www.global-cool.com
www.greenhealth.org.uk
www.green.tv
www.greenpeace.org.uk
www.grownupgreen.org.uk
www.good-energy.co.uk
www.lift-share.org
www.panda.org
www.reducetheuse.co.uk
www.recyclemore.co.uk
www.rspb.org.uk/green
www.stopclimatechaos.org