JANUARY 2005

Warmest wishes from the staff and Trustees of the West Wales ECO Centre for a peaceful and sustainable 2005.

Much political activity has taken place over the last year. A quick look through our news archive will highlight some of the key announcements.  However, we feel that no matter how much is written and spoken about it is really only actions that are going to make a contribution to mitigating accelerated Climate Change.

We concentrate our work at a very local level, dealing with householders and communities. Whilst it could be argued that the only truly helpful reductions in greenhouse house gases have to take place at national and industrial levels, we firmly believe that everybody can do something themselves in reducing their reliance on fossil fuels - unarguably the biggest contributor of additional Carbon Dioxide to the atmosphere.

If you have visited this website before, or the ECO Centre itself in Newport, Pembrokeshire, West Wales, then you will know that we are an organisation that promotes the issues surrounding energy use and its impact on the environment. We do that by giving free and impartial advice on saving energy at home; we provide information on grants and incentives to help with major purchases; we provide a technical advice service for renewable energy technologies and we can provide a consultancy service to help with a full implementation.  Examples of these can be found all over this website.

But there are other aspects to energy use that may not be as obvious. Some activities are so ingrained in all of us that it really does take a second thought to stop and consider the consequences of it. Using the car is a good example. The car might seem like an easy target. And nearly everyone who works here relies on one to a certain extent. But think of the useful alternatives. Are you lucky enough to live near a regular bus route or station? Could you shop for what you need locally? Could you walk it? Cycle? Do you really need to make that journey? Do you need to make it now? Can you combine two trips in one with a bit of forward planning?  We accept (especially living in a rural area) that the car is a lifeline for most people, but all we urge is that you take a second to think - can I do this another way?

I think it is worth emphasising that we encourage people to make changes where it is reasonable and appropriate.  Everyone can manage the no cost, and in most cases, the low cost measures recommended by the Energy Advice Centre. Not everyone can afford to make a capital investment in some new applicance or technology, we don't expect them to. But there are decisions people can make which have significant consequences. A good example is where you source your electricity.  There are some suppliers who can guarantee that the electricity they sell you has been generated renewably. Switching to one of these suppliers is certainly cheaper than installing solar electric panels or a wind turbine (all other things being equal!). Just think, if everyone chose to buy their electricity from a renewable source there would have to be a significant step change in the amount of green electricity generated.

Where do you buy the bulk of your food? Think of the road miles and air miles in your weekly basket. Think of the contribution this has made to unclean air and greenhouse gases.  Could you buy what you need locally? Is it something that is grown or farmed locally? Everyone relies on supermarkets, but think of the benefits both environmental and economic if you purchased 50% of your weekly shop - especially the fresh stuff and the meat - locally. Or more locally.

Again, this isn't a radical agenda. Just a request to take a second thought about your choice. Make it your New Year Resolution to make a few changes. You certainly won't be any worse off, and who knows, you might make a difference.

If you need any help or guidance, get in touch with us. Our staff have lots of experience and expertise and can help you make a decision that suits you.

Thanks for your interest.

Jake Hollyfield, Director.

Previous front page articles can be found on our archive page.