Everyone's heard of Climate Change, even if they're not sure what it means.   This section will provide you with basic information about this environmental problem, and will suggest one way in which individuals can make a significant difference to the decline of the environment by living in eco-housing.   But why is this important?

Global warming is a type of climate change.   This is an increase in global temperature which leads to large-scale melting of ice-caps and thus the rising of worldwide sea levels.   Scientists agree that human activity is the main cause of global warming: to sustain our modern lifestyles in Britain we use many forms of non-renewable fuel and sacrifice acres of forests.   Not only are we burning these fuels and thus producing what are known as greenhouse gases, but we are also cutting down the trees which would convert the harmful gases into oxygen.   The gases are made up of molecules that remain inside the atmosphere, creating an effect like a greenhouse, trapping in the heat of the sun.   Animal life is already showing us signs of the damage this activity has created, and we regularly see examples of unusually extreme weather conditions.

Of course, homeowners often think to themselves, What difference can I make?   The big companies use the most fuel and create the waste.   This is true, but the 21 million private homes in the UK create around 30% of all carbon emissions and they are responsible for almost a third of the nation's energy consumption.   There are simple ways to make your home an eco-house.

Eco-housing

This may seem like a million miles away for many people the idea of eco-housing is to create homes that are as environmentally-friendly as possible.   However, it's only another step forward from recycling which is becoming increasingly easy to practice.   Statistics suggest that 75% of present housing will still be in use in 2050, so we're not recommending that everyone starts pulling down their houses to make one that's more 'green'!   It is possible, though, for everyone to make changes to their homes to cut down on the amount of fuel they use and so cut carbon emissions and thereby help the environment (never mind the fact that they'd be saving themselves money!).

Small changes to make a big difference:

• use energy efficient light bulbs so they use less electricity
• ensure no appliances are left switched on or on standby when not in use
• eliminate drafts and install double glazing to reduce the amount of time you spend with the heating on
• check for wall and roof insulation as it dramatically affects the amount of heat which escapes the house
• think about putting in carpets and rugs if you do not already have them, as they help a building stay warm
• consider changing your energy supplier - there are several companies who provide electricity from renewable sources
• try to save water by using only what you really need

For more ideas of changes you could make to create a more eco-friendly home, we recommend these websites:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6653687.stm#map  - An article about Gordon Brown's plans to build eco-towns, which also includes guide for making your home eco-friendly.

http://www.houseandhomeideas.co.uk/content/view/20/28/ - Very useful, practical advice for all-round greener living.

http://www.london.gov.uk/london-life/environment/how-to-be-green/index.jsp  - City of London guide to living green.

http://www.lifestyle-movement.org.uk/str1/greenhouse.htm - From a Global Warming supplement in Education Guardian, 29th January 2002

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/287169/ - Water is not as abundant as you might think: look at this government website to see why and how you can begin to save this precious resource.

Renewable energy providers:

http://www.energylinx.co.uk/?referral=1550  This website has a search option to compare prices of electricity and gas suppliers, or of renewable energy suppliers.   (When entering your information for gas and electricity, the last option gives you the chance to compare only renewable tariffs and shows the CO2 saving.)

http://www.uswitch.com - A website to help you make a decision on which company to switch to  look out for the green option.

http://www.ecotricity.co.uk - An energy provider who puts money back into funding renewable energy sources.

If you�re thinking of moving to an eco-friendly home or would consider building one then check out these websites:

http://www.greenwich-village.co.uk/index_main.htm  - Greenwich Millennium Village - a 1,500 home low-carbon development using a combination of local electricity generation, improved insulation, and energy efficient devices for the apartments. This was the first UK private housing development to incorporate community heat with a CHP system, which provides central heating, hot water, and electricity. Passive design is also important in minimising energy use. The buildings were purposely shaped and positioned to make full use of the sun for both light and heat.

http://www.peabody.org.uk/pages/GetPage.aspx?id=179  - Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), Sutton - a development by the housing association Peabody Trust, is often held up as the iconic example of carbon neutral liveability, and the direction of things to come. The heating requirements of BedZED homes are around ten per cent that of a typical home built to 2000 Building Regulations, and all heating and hot water requirements are designed to be met by a wood fuel community heating network. Sutton Borough Council was a pioneer, using its well-being powers under the Local Government Act 2000, to make land available to the BedZED developers at less than market value.

http://www.ecovillagefindhorn.com � An eco-village in Scotland since 1985, includes information and details of how to visit the eco-village for a tour.

http://society.guardian.co.uk/communities/story/0,,1768574,00.html  - An article from the Guardian (May 2006) about an estate of green houses in Langport, Somerset.  It contains comments by residents in favour of the houses, as well as a list with what makes them green - good for both builders and for general information on the benefits of eco-housing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/image_galleries/eco_house_gallery.shtml?1  - This is a photo tour of a family eco house in Yorkshire. 

http://www.theecohouse.co.uk/  - This company is based in Cornwall and works in both Cornwall and Devon.   The website contains a lot of very good information, such as the benefits, the costs (compared to normal housing) and other FAQs.  They also give information on where they are currently building so those interested can visit the sites.

http://www.newbuilder.co.uk/  - A website mainly for builders

Further information on eco-housing and ways to help the environment as an individual can be found here:

http://www.ecozine.co.uk/society5.htm  

http://www.cat.org.uk  - The Centre for Alternative Technology