It is easy to think in this cost-of-living crisis, that we need to focus on the here and now. That could mean you no longer worry about the planet. But you can still help the planet and help your pocket.
Here are some ideas for the short term and the long term.
The price of heating and electricity, because of the use of gas and oil, is astronomical thanks to Russia which controls 40% of Europe’s gas supplies, and Arabian countries which control the world’s prices. That’s not going away anytime soon.
But the problems of floods, fires and potential famine which are caused by climate change are also due to our dependence on gas and oil.
The government may have introduced a price cap on the prices we pay. However, this is only short-term. After this is all over (??in two years’ time), the bills will need to be paid back over the next ten (?) years by us, our children and grandchildren.
So, we must reduce our usage of gas and oil.
- Turn down the temperature we use for our central heating. Reducing by 1 degree could save10 % of your energy bill (USWITCH).
- Increase your insulation, by fitting draught-proofing and insulating roof spaces and walls, if you can. You can save between £ 400 and £ 1,000 per year – depending on the type of house – through the cavity and wall insulation. (Keep Shropshire Warm)
- We need to change our diets from being largely meat-based to being largely plant-based to reduce the greenhouse gases we cause through food production. But the good news is that (according to Kantar in 2021) a Vegan diet will reduce our expenditure on food by 40 %. That’s from £ 1.77 to £ 1.06 – around £ 250 per year.
- If you are in the market for a new car, then think carefully about switching to an electric car. Based on current petrol prices save around 12p per mile compared with electric. Based on 10,000 miles per annum that’s around £ 1,200 per year.
- If you wanted to go further and change your source of energy, you could also put solar panels on your roof. The Energy Saving Trust (SOLAR) estimate that the cost of a solar panel array is around £ 6,500. The savings at current electricity prices are £ 600 to £ 800 per year. A better investment than in a savings bank!
So if you want to think of your pocket in these incredibly hard-pressed times, then please do use some of the ideas above to help save the planet for the future!
