This is the first in a weekly series of Practical Tips that we will post to help the Net Zero Citizen to do something to help the Isle of Man Government reach the Net Zero Interim and Final Targets
Tip #1 – Buy a Washing Line
We think that the following requires no explanation……
Thanks are due to Chris Madden, or course….
Tip #2 Plant a Wood
Net Zero Matrix is part of the Curtis & Associates Ltd Group, headquartered on the Isle of Man, but active in many countries worldwide.
In 2005, at the time of the Kyoto Protocol, we set down a mixed plantation of Teak, Acacia, Mahogany, Jabon and Fruit Trees on the Island of Java, Indonesia.
This project is called Goldteak.
Thanks to the carbon that has been sequestered over the last 17 years, the Curtis & Associates Group reached Net Zero in the Year 2020
Tip #3 Have a Flat Roof or a Garden Shed ? Put up some low cost Solar Panels
It does not need to cost thousands of pounds to generate some electricity to power an outside garage or shed, or the lights in the house. An installation on a flat roof or shed is very simple and can be done easily.
Tip #4 Use a Water Butt to gather Rain Water for your Plants and Shrubs
Rain water is better for your house plants and garden, and of course saving water is also good for sustainability reasons, but why is it related to saving energy ? Simple – water needs to be pumped to reach your property, and that pumping takes energy – which at the moment is derived almost entirely from fossil fuels. If you lose less mains water, you will reduce the Isle of Man’s carbon footprint.
Tip #5 Cut the Ivy from Trees to Save them
Many years ago, individual trees and woodland was managed in order to preserve them. Now trees are largely abandoned and ivy has taken over almost completely. The ivy will slowly strangle a tree leading to an early death and thereby an release of the stored Carbon into the atmosphere, instead of it being safely sequestered in the living tree.
It takes only a few moments to cut ivy stems at the base of a tree. It is not necessary to try to take it all off – it will instead die and wither away, and the tree will recover very quickly.
Tip #6 Retrofit your home
Making adjustments to your home can improve the performance of the fabric of the property. Retrofitting your home this way, often described as the ‘fabric first’ approach, is a great way to prioritise home improvements that can immediately make your home more comfortable and easier to keep warm, thus reducing your household bills. It also reduces the need for maintenance.
In the long run, these improvements will prepare your home for future low carbon heating technologies, which can benefit you further.
All this can also reduce our overall carbon emissions. A recent survey of house conditions in the Isle of Man has revealed that we have done little to improve the energy efficiency of older homes.
80% of the buildings that will be in place in 2050 are already built, so adapting our current buildings will be an essential part of cutting the emissions from our homes.
Tip #7 Turn down your thermostat
Turning down your thermostat by 1°C will save you 10% on your energy bills.
Tip #8 Switch to using LED lighting
LED bulbs are 80% more efficient and can last 30 times longer than traditional halogen light bulbs.
Tip #9 Fitting a tap aerators
It could save you over £30 a year and conserve up to an estimated 1,274 litters of water a month.
Tip #10 Reduce your tumble dryer use
On average, a condenser dryer costs around £1 in electricity per cycle. Outdoor dying is free but not always possible so consider purchasing a heated airer. They’re better for the environment and cost around 15p per hour to run.
Tip #11 Switch appliances off standbys
As much as £60 a year could be saved by switching off vampire devices – chargers left plugged in and switched on or items on standby.
Tip #12 Only boil as much as you need
Use a flask to keep boiling water hot during the day rather than boiling the kettle each time.
Tip #13 Insulate your homes
Improving insulation in our walls, ceilings, and windows can reduce the loss of heat from our homes and the amount of energy needed to heat them. Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective forms of insulation. This involves blocking up unwanted gaps that let cold air in and warm air out, such as around windows, doors, or skirting boards. Draught-proofing could save £125 a year on average household bills.
Tip #14 Cut out Food Waste and cut down on Red Meat
Livestock creates 14% of all greenhouse gases globally, with cattle being by far the largest contributor.
The simplest and most effective way to limit your impact is to reduce meat and dairy in your diet, particularly red meat such as lamb and beef.
Beef has the biggest carbon footprint.
The relative impacts of food can be seen in this table, which shows the kilograms of greenhouse gases per portion or serving:
The carbon footprint of any given food also depends on how it is produced, where it comes from, and whether it’s in season. Save money and reduce waste by making smaller portions and saving leftovers for later at home.
The world wastes between 25% and 30% of its food, according to the Waste & Resources Action Programme. Between 8-10% of global carbon emissions are linked to unconsumed produce, according to a UN report.
Tip #15 Drive less; use the bus; and fly less; use the train
Transport is responsible for almost a quarter of carbon dioxide global emissions.
Living car-free might be “the most impactful thing we can do to reduce our transport emissions,” according to Dr Jennings.
However, ditching the car is not possible for everyone, particularly if you live in an area without good public transport or are disabled.
Small steps still have an impact, like walking and cycling to the local shops or sharing car journeys with friends or neighbours.
Electric cars are becoming more widespread, but they are still prohibitively expensive for some people, and charging infrastructure is limited in places.
Domestic flights have the largest emissions per person per kilometer.
Train journeys can have less than a fifth of the impact of a domestic flight, although they might be more expensive. Booking in advance can help reduce the cost.
“For those who fly a lot, reducing the number of flights you take will make a considerable difference to your personal footprint,” says Dr. Jennings.
Tip #16 Think before you Buy
It takes 3,781 liters of water to make one pair of jeans, according to the UN’s Environment Programme, taking into account cotton production, manufacture, transport, and washing.
You can limit your impact by repairing minor faults in clothing rather than replacing them, donating rather than throwing them away, and choosing higher-quality items that you think will last longer.
