Small steps

[HeyWayne]

Come on, join the revolution!

This is an energy conscious version of google!

http://www.blackle.com/

A black screen uses less energy than a white one apparently...

[scared55]

I really think people should get their priorities right. Before trying to find out the energy cost of an LCD screen (very small), let's address the energy costs of advertising displays in cities, lights at sports stadia, lights and sound systems at concerts, illuminated empty offices overnight and so on, the list is almost endless.

My mother had an expression that seems to cover the 'official' attitudes to energy use - Penny wise and pound foolish

Funny that it's only the little man who can save energy!

KK

[lainey lou]

Well I think every little helps, small changes can make a big difference, GO PEOPLE!!
Good on ya HeyWayne!

[shirlthegirl43]

You are quite right KK. If the big stores switched their lights off overnight and the banks shut down their computer systems, we the customer could be given more for our money. I do save energy as much as possible but get a bit miffed when I drive down a motorway in the dead of night to see hundreds of lights illuminating the tarmac - I have headlights to do that job!

[scared55]

Well I think every little helps, small changes can make a big difference, GO PEOPLE!!
Good on ya HeyWayne!

I quite agree, small things can help, but not if the effect of those small things is squandered by vested interests who are in a position to do big things.

For instance, we all pay extra tax on our petrol - partly to reduce demand and partly (allegedly) to allow for some so-called offsetting. Airlines pay no tax on their fuel, which spews vast quantities of pollutants directly into the upper atmosphere. Motor manufacturers produce more and more 4x4 and GTI vehicles which are promoted much harder than their more energy-efficient models. Why? Bigger margin, of course. The more energy efficient vehicles will only be promoted if they are seen as trendy, if there is pressure on the manufacturers, or if they reach critical mass and bring in more profit than the gas guzzlers.

We replace a 100W bulb with a 18W energy saving one. What is being done to ensure evening sports etc events make best use of energy to illuminate their activities? Nothing!

I, for one, am fed up with being told that I should 'reduce my carbon footprint' (already quite tiny as we only use the car for weekly shopping, the bulk of our electricity is either nuclear or hydro and we heat by wood - although we haven't yet this year) when the people telling me that, who are in a position to make massive energy savings, don't!

KK

[Peter]

Uttlesford District and Essex County councils are experimenting with shutting off a lot of their street lights.

Ever been out in the wee small hours?

Yup nearly all the lights that were on at 11pm are on at 4am.

[HeyWayne]

The fact that we're members of this forum would suggest that we grow our own fruit and veg as much as possible, and I would also suggest (going out on a limb here) that most, if not all of us reading this forum are conscious of the evnironment - preaching is therefore not required surely?

I was simply posting something that I thought would help those that are already doing their bit, do a bit more.

Besides - "little people" have more power than is often suggested.

[SueA]

I think some of the forum members already use this, it might have been Two Sheds or someone who mentioned it before. I find it a bit hard on the eyes, I think I might need glasses though! I agree that whatever you can do must all help in a some way, each of us should just do what we feel we can, it all adds up.