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I dont do new year resolutions they are pointless. So I thought I would bide my time and make a manifesto for 2007. In it are some goals which will remain personal to me, so I’ve written them down elsewhere. As they say the first step towards becoming successful is writing it down. But I’ll share something which I think is important we all need to look at in the next few years.

Its time to follow in the footsteps of my hero, Dave Angel, Eco Warrior. If you dont know Dave Angel he was a character in the Fast Show….memory jogger in the top right. On a serious note its about time we woke up to the energy crisis that we are walking into. The government isn’t taking enough of a stance because they are afraid of falling out of bed with the corporate’s. If you want an example of this, next time you see Tony Blair is on the telly, or you hear him on the radio, talking about taxing on airlines…substitute the "Tony Blair, Prime Minister" caption with "Tony Blair, British Airways Board Member", in your head. Interesting he could be either. Rip the shit out the environment and let someone else clean up the mess or send most of the airlines bust and be remembered as screwing up the economy. He is going to take the easy way out everytime.

Therein lies the whole problem for Tony and to an extent all of us. If we dont come out the comfort zone of driving big cars (of which im very guilty), turning off things, cheap flights every few months etc etc then ultimately we trash the environment. And one things for sure, the earth knows how to reset its ecosystem at the expense of all that live on it, as time has shown. I’ve got no doubt that extreme weather conditions being seen around the UK are part of the ongoing escalation of problems. But who am I trying to kid, human nature is to consume and enjoy only till it directly impacts their well being….a heart attack as a result of obesity for example.

So ranting aside – this is not meant to be me preaching for anyone to go and do the same, just my thoughts and some stuff I want to do myself. The changes im looking to make this year are as follows:

Car
This one pains me most, I love my car and love cars. But looking at the book it chucks out 189g/km of emissions. Based on an average year of 12000 miles that’s 3.6 tonnes of emissions (mostly carbon) I’m chucking into the atmosphere per annum on the car alone. With my lease expiring at the end of the year I will definitely pay attention to the emissions of my next car. Probably a diesel.

Solar Powered Water System
Self explanatory really. Im getting these fitted to my new house to supply hot water, it should cut back on the amount of gas needed.

Recycling
Again will be looking to separate rubbish where possible….if its facilitated by the council might aswell do it.

Low Energy Light Bulbs
I was in Ikea today and they showed 9 conventional bulbs against 12 low energy ones. The low energy bulbs were pulling about 100KWh against the 300KWh from the 9 conventional with the same wattage rating. No brainer really.

Stop Leaving Things in Standby
Apparently this accounts for 10% of all domestic power use in the UK, appliances left in standby with the little LED thing on. Pointless and laziness.

Water Butt
Getting a water butt to collect rain water to water the garden with instead of using tap and hose.

Green Energy/Nuclear Energy
Both these types of energy are relatively good/clean for the environment. Where possible I will try to use them for my electricity supply.