Walking the Talk

Walking the Talk

There is a lot of talk about climate change actions.  For sure, the actions don’t happen overnight. I started a journey about 15 years ago, when I realised action was needed, and it was important for people in the community to be showing the way. I’m not perfect by a long shot, but I’m trying to do the right thing for our planet and the lives of future generations.

I’m lucky because I can afford to do these actions. But many of these actions didn’t cost hardly anything and even saved me money. Look out for the ** below.

Here’s a list of my actions so far in chronological order, for my semi-detached 1930’s house in Dorking and the life I live:

• 2005: Decided to work for employers and on projects that are beneficial for society, environment and planet **
• 2006: Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. (** got a grant to fund)
• 2006: Trying hard to use public transport; especially rail. Especially for commuting.
• 2007: Had the old double glazed windows that were on their last legs replaced by high quality ones.
• 2006: Got a rain water harvesting butt for watering the plants. Hid the hose pipe and vowed not to use it.   Had a water meter installed. My water bills went down. I am careful about how much water is used and keep a periodic eye on the meter   **
• 2010: Regularly walk amongst nature (good for body and soul) **
• 2010: Got organic waste caddy from council  that goes to anaerobic digester; brown garden waste bin that goes to composting; green recycling bin. Trying hard to split out waste to minimise black bin waste (doing pretty well; easy when you get in geared up for it) **
• 2012: Switch energy supplier to Ecotricity Ltd as they were building out their own wind and solar in addition to being an energy supplier.  Energy price barely went up and service was better **
• 2013: Fridge broke down. So bought an A++ rated fridge/freezer
• 2015: If distance is < 2miles then I walk. I try to make the time. Good for me. **
• 2015: Gave talks at Scouts to young people on sustainable future and about WaterAid and at other venues **
• 2015: Co-founded Dorking Solar Group, to encourage people and businesses to fit solarPV panels. After all pretty much all our society’s energy comes from the Sun (directly and indirectly; when you think about it).
• 2016: Had SolarPV panels put on roof (when roof was being maintained and scaffolding up anyway). 3kW. 12 panels pointing WSW. Generates me about 2800 units (kWh) of electricity each year
• 2018: DIY electrical meter (Smappee Ltd type) to an App on my mobile phone – showed me so much about the electricity I consume. It was amazing. I learnt so much and helped me plan my next moves.
• 2016: Had house refurbishment and general decoration done. Added insulated floor tiling with electric underfloor heating downstairs in kitchen/dinner. To reduce amount of heating from gas.
• 2016: Fitted PIR lights (automatically go off after a time of no movement) in kitchen and halls. Changed all lights to LED. (** paid for itself in 6 months)
• 2017: Leased an Electric Vehicle (EV). A Nissan Leaf 100% electric. Substantially made in UK.  Then bought out the lease after 4 years.
• 2018: SolarPV diy using kit from Bimble Solar Ltd on garage/shed roof. 3 panels added.
• 2018: Switched energy supplier to Bulb. Use mobile App to track smart meter data usage and cost **
• 2018: Cofounded Dorking Climate Emergency, to spread the message about the need to protect our planet for future generations.
• 2018: Started working from home 2 days per week to avoid the commuting travelling. Got used to remote working and software to support that.  I must have had a Covid  premonition!  **
• 2018: Tried to minimise air travel. And if travelling by air, I plant a tree per each 4 hours of air flight per person. Buying from National Forest who will plant an actual tree for you. Not an offsetting scheme.
• 2018: Joined the Surrey Climate Commission team, in an attempt to influence council policy on addressing a climate emergency
• 2019: Eat significantly less red meat and more vegetarian meals.  Prepare most food from basic ingredients (not ready meals) **
• 2019: Got Smart electricity and gas meter. Can easily see how/when my energy is being used. Look at it briefly every other day. Surprising what you spot! **
• 2019: Loft conversion. Specified it for high levels of thermal insulation. Much higher than building regulations
• 2020: One house in the road where I live has a bin in the front garden that is collected by Terracyle. I put all plastic film, crisp packets, bread bags, wrappers, etc in there. **
• 2020: Got 2^nd hand bread making machine.  Make own bread when solar electricity is good.. Buy UK milled flour in 16kg bags from Shipton mill.  Very nice bread and smell! **
• 2020: Converted some garden grassed over area into vegetable plot. Slightly raised bed **
• 2020: Volunteered for foodfloat.org . Local food for local people (community interest company).  And moved very much to buying local food and products where possible. Buying seasonal food and avoiding air freighted food where possible. Supporting the local economy **
• 2021: Had old conservatory (18 years old) replaced with like-for-like extension. With significant thermal insulation and latest glass with high thermal performance.  Had one non-cavity wall externally clad with insulation. The old conservatory was leaking heat awfully in the winter.
• 2021: Purchased a portable Heat pump (£499) to use for peak summer cooling and winter electric heating to reduce gas use. Bought a smart wifi enabled socket to switch it on only when the solarPV panels are generating well.  Using free App called IFFFT.  Generates 3 units of cooling or heating for 1 unit (kWh) of electricity.
• 2021: Switched to an EV tariff with Bulb. So I get electricity for 4hr over night at 4.7p/kWh. So I target using any electricity then.: Charge car; run dishwasher; run washing machine; underfloor heating, etc.  I’m progressively getting more sophisticated about when energy is used.

There is loads more things I can do.  But I’m making steady progress and can sleep with a clear conscience. My energy bills (electricity, gas, fuel for the EV car ie. electricity) are less than £1000 per year.

Writing this up was a real ‘feel-good’ activity.   I recommend everyone to think and write down the changes they have already made and what more could be done.