Greener Living Cycle Ride

Sunday, May 22, 2011

The First Swindon Greener Living Bike Ride was organised by Swindon Climate Action Network (SCAN) and Swindon Bicycle Users Group (BUG).

A 12.5 mile fun ride entirely on good off road cycle tracks or roads rated as “good conditions for all abilities” on the Swindon Cycle Map visited some of Swindon’s finest nature reserves and community sites.

Several householders along the route also volunteered to show us what they are doing to live a greener life. Highlights included solar photovoltaic and hot water, natural under floor insulation, veg growing, rainwater catchment for the garden, chickens, wildlife gardening and composting.

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Energy monitors available from libraries

Friday, July 16, 2010

A device that measures how much energy is being used in the home is now available to residents for free, thanks to Swindon Borough Council.

Fifty micro energy monitors are available for loan from six libraries for a period of one week each.

The monitors will tell residents how much electricity they are using in kWh and how much it is costing. This will help residents to recognise where they can cut down on their energy use saving both carbon, and money.

It is estimated that over £900 million is wasted in the UK every year, by leaving domestic appliances on when not in use. Here are ten tips for saving energy:

• Change light bulbs to energy saving versions
• Switch off electronic goods such as TVs, videos, DVDs and games console at wall sockets when not in use
• Remove all telephone chargers from mains when not in use
• Use tumble dryers less and if possible dry outside
• Fill washing machines and dishwashers to maximum for each load
• Wash clothes at a cooler temperature
• Only boil the amount of water necessary when making tea or coffee
• Use sensor detecting outside lights
• When changing appliances, ensure that you purchase items with the best energy rating
• Check your micro energy monitor for the background level before going to bed at night

Cllr Brian Mattock, Cabinet Member for Housing, Community and Partnerships, said: “These monitors are brilliant devices for finding out how much energy every day household objects are costing us in money and energy. By taking some small steps, we can collectively save masses of carbon which could go some way to protecting the environment from further harm, and we benefit from saving money.”

The monitors are available from the following libraries:

• Central
• Highworth
• North Swindon
• West Swindon
• Wroughton
• The Mobile Library

Anyone taking out a monitor must be a member of Swindon Libraries and a resident of the borough.

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Save water and carbon

Friday, July 16, 2010

Swindon is deemed 'seriously water stressed' by the Environment Agency with the average person in Swindon using 164 litres per day compared to the national daily average of 148 litres. As 6% of UK greenhouse gas emissions are water related this is not helping us tackle climate change. Join the new Save Water Swindon campaign to get help in saving water energy and money.

Go to www.savewaterswindon.org.uk.

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Help develop a new local food project

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Please help set up a local food project with National Lottery funding. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust wishes to get more people using locally grown food - getting outdoors and active and finding out about the fantastic food available from local farmers. They need the views of at least 500 people to find out how they should design the project to maximum effect. Go to this link to complete the brief survey and then pass it on to any of your friends and contacts in Swindon and Wiltshire.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Localfood

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