Reducing your Carbon Footprint & Improving Biodiversity
What's My Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of carbon dioxide produced to indirectly or directly support human activities. It's usually expressed in terms of equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2).
So for example, when you drive a car, the engine burns fuel which creates a certain amount of CO2, depending on its fuel consumption and the driving distance. When you heat your house with oil, gas or coal, then you also generate CO2. Even if you heat your house with electricity, the generation of the electrical power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO2. When you buy food and goods, the production of the food and goods also emitted some quantities of CO2
Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide), which were induced by your activities in a given time frame. Usually a carbon footprint is calculated for the time period of a year.
Our Devon-based partner, Carbon Savvy, has a great easy-to-use calculator, and lots of hints and tips and reducing your footprint and improving your quality of life at the same time.
Also, Exeter University and the Centre for Sustainable Energy have developed a visual tool to show your community’s carbon footprint
Saving Energy
Reducing your energy usage at home can not only help save the planet but also save you money.
There's lots of helpful, impartial advice available from The Energy Saving Trust. You can call them on 0300 123 1234 or see their website for more information.
Green GB have produced a Simple Energy Advice Service, which includes information for Landlords and Tenant.
Tamar Energy Community have a range of advice, information and projects to help West Devon residents. They also have a useful Climate Action and Solutions page that anyone can access.
LEAP (Local Energy Advice Program) is a FREE energy and money saving advice service. LEAP can help you to save money and to keep your home warm and cosy.
In West Devon, the LEAP Scheme is provided by Tamar Energy Community. A trained adviser can visit your home to carry out a thorough assessment and suggest a range of of energy saving measures that can help save energy. They can identify more large scale measures and help apply for funding for this.
Green GB have produced a Simple Energy Advice Service which includes information for Landlords and Tenants.
Improving Biodiversity
There are many ways that you can help wildlife at home and improve biodiversity in our area. From building a bug hotel to creating a garden pond, visit the Wildlife Trust's webpage for ideas and inspiration.
Shop Smart, Shop Local!
Devon has some of the finest food producers in the country, and the South West food hub can help you find your nearest local food.
Food that's produced locally is fresher, tastier and better for you. Because the distance from field to fork is shorter, there's less CO2 emissions, and it also helps the local economy.
The South West Food Hub has an interactive map that can help you find local, seasonal and fresh food. Or why not check out some of the local markets at Tavistock and Okehampton?