In 2019, Telford & Wrekin Council declared a climate emergency. It is now working, along with partners, to go carbon neutral by 2030 – and to reduce single-use plastic across the council by 2023!

Dave and why Green energy is important to me

Small changes we can make to our lives can make a global difference


Dave and why Green energy is important to me

Hello, my name is Dave and I recently became a Telford and Wrekin Climate Change Champion. I have long been interested in sustainability and green issues and really like the idea of doing something to help my home town of Telford become more environmentally aware and move towards becoming a carbon neutral town.

Sometimes the issue of climate change can seem very overwhelming and any contribution we can make can seem infinitesimal. While I don't think we should underestimate what is a massive global problem, I believe there are many small changes we can make to our lives that can contribute to making a really significant difference. 

One of the first things I did was look for a green energy deal. This will have a massive effect on your own carbon footprint for very little effort. Green energy deals are much cheaper than they used to be and most energy companies now offer very competitive rates. Do your research though, some deals are definitely more green than others. 

Another really easy change to make is simply looking at where your food comes from. Massive amounts of food are shipped and flown all over the world. It can be very easy to buy things habitually when just by looking at where your food is from, you can not only buy food with a smaller carbon footprint but often save yourself a bit of money. Buying British fruit and vegetables in season often offers great value and will have travelled far less than food from the other side of the world. Buying local is not always available, but an apple from the Netherlands will still have travelled far less than one from New Zealand. 

Really, I just try to make more mindful choices and think about my actions. Lots of us will have to drive to work and won't be able to afford an electric car, but maybe we can cycle into town and save on the parking fee. Some of us might find the idea of going vegan a step too far, but we could try meat free Mondays and introduce a few more vegetables into our lives. Whatever you decide, nobody is judging you.

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