ENERGY
The current climate crisis is one of the biggest threats to our planet that we have ever faced.
Our demand for energy and the burning of non-renewable fossil fuels is creating dangerous levels of greenhouse gases, heating our planet faster than ever.
By 2021, we want to see Merton’s energy consumption, particularly electricity, reduced.
Using less energy and increased renewable energy sources will enable trees and other flora to keep up with the rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) production to limit the most damaging impacts of our changing climate on our environment.
We aim to engage, inform, educate, mobilise and influence the behaviour and thinking of Merton residents and businesses to actively make changes to their lifestyles and workplaces to consume less energy.
Working together is key and we are to be working in partnership with like-minded organisations and supporting local initiatives addressing issues around Energy.
Be part of the solution
Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Political bodies and large corporations have a key role to play but, closer to home, we can all make a difference by cutting our energy consumption, using energy more efficiently and supporting local organisations working with communities at the grassroots level.
I am concerned about climate change and feel that urgent action needs to be taken at every level. But I am also optimistic that people will enjoy engaging with the issue and will enjoy working collaboratively to address the problem.
I am passionate about spreading awareness about taking personal responsibility for climate change, by teaching people how they can lead lower carbon lives.
Ben - Community Champion
The majority of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions arise from our production and consumption of energy
Energy and the climate crisis
The burning of non-renewable fossil fuels for energy produces carbon dioxide (CO2), along with other greenhouse gasses such as methane.
Dangerous levels of CO2 are building up in our atmosphere, where it acts to trap the sun’s heat, causing a rise in the Earth’s temperature - known as global warming.
The rising temperature is leading to wider changes to our weather, rising sea levels, acidification of our oceans, loss of biodiversity, declining glaciers and sea ice, and slowing of increases to crop productivity.
The Committee on Climate Change states that with rapid global action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, we can still reduce the likelihood of global temperatures increasing by 2°C.
If we take no action, global temperatures could increase by 7°C or more.
The UK has committed to achieving a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.
Renewable Energy
We must act now to move away from non-renewable energy sources that emit harmful greenhouse gases. Our future must see almost all of our electricity generated from climate-friendly, renewable sources - wind, wave and sun.
Change is happening... Friends of the Earth report that in just 6 years, the UK upped its renewable electricity output from 7% to 25%.
Power your home through solar energy
It is very easy to generate some of the power you need by installing solar panels.
The cost of modern panels has fallen over the past five years and the panels are now more efficient than ever before. Note:- The roof needs to be south facing or at the very least south-west or south-east in order to make the investment worthwhile.
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Energy Efficiency
The climate crisis is a serious threat to our planet but, closer to home, paying energy bills and keeping the home warm is a significant concern for many people experiencing fuel poverty.
A study by the University College London estimates that in 2015, 9,000 people died during winter in England and Wales as a result of living in a cold home.
The UK’s homes are some of the least energy efficient in Europe – losing heat from their doors, walls and windows.
Through simple, low-cost measures, residents can improve the energy efficiency of their homes, whilst keeping warm, saving money, and reducing our production of CO2.
Keeping warm for less
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Retrofit your home
Switch energy supplier
60 - 70% of people in the UK have never switched energy tariff.
Switching suppliers will not only will this save you money, but if you choose green energy suppliers, you will be supporting the increase in renewable power. And green tariffs aren’t always the most expensive (as some may think) - so shop around.
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Funding
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Looking Back
Our past projects have given us a much better understanding of energy issues affecting Merton residents and we will continue to inspire local action for a local carbon future as part of our continued action.
