The state of our waters has a massive impact on the birds and wildlife that rely on wetlands. The waste we produce and what we do with it affects the wild spaces around us, and the way we make the energy we use has far-reaching effects on the environment. There are dozens of little changes you can make to your lifestyle that add up to make a real difference for wildlife and the environment.
Reducing a room's temperature by 1°C could cut heating bills by up to 10 percent and typically saves around £60 per year. Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat should be set at 60°C/140°F. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows and check for draughts around windows and doors. And do something about those drafts?! Always turn off the lights when you leave a room. Switch off at the wall and don't leave appliances on standby - you can buy mains controllers which do this by remote control automatically. Remember not to leave laptops and mobile phones on charge unnecessarily. If possible, fill up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher: one full load uses less energy than two half loads. Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle). A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week could fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off! Use energy saving light bulbs - they last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, and using one can save you around £55 over the lifetime of the bulb. Leaving a single computer and monitor switched on for 24 hours-a-day will cost over £50 a year. Switching it off and using 'stand-by' features when you are not using it could reduce this to £15 a year. Doing this may also prolong the lifespan of the equipment. Maintain and repair your heaters/boilers. Ensure they are serviced every 12 months boilers are more efficient after servicing. Buy energy efficient. Go for 'A' rated appliances or better wherever possible they cost much less to run. Switch off PC screens when not in use - screens do not use less energy when in 'screensaver' mode. A screen can represent up to a third of the PC's overall electricity usage.
Lots of suggestions of things you can do to help nature. They will you will save you money too! Follow this link for advice about green living. Want to take action now? Take a look around your home or workplace, can you do any of these? There might be something you can do straight away without taking up too much time.
Volunteering Co-ordinator, UKHQ Volunteering Development Department
Tel: 01767 680551
Email: Volunteers@rspb.org.uk
There are many different actions you can take as an individual that when combined with other people's actions make a massive impact in giving nature a home. These are things that are quick and easy that you can fit into your lifestyle. The RSPB is the country's largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We also play a leading role in a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.
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