Copenhagen Climate Summit

After a couple of weeks of confusion, frantic negotiations on the final night of the summit, do we really know what kind of deal emerged?

The Copenhagen Accord, as it was named last night, is about keeping temperature rises to no more than 2C and says rich countries will commit to cutting greenhouse gases and developing nations will take steps to limit the growth of their emissions but no targets where set.

So countries will set out their pledges for the action they plan to take to tackle climate change and will provide information to other nations on their progress.

Promises of short term finance up to $10bn a year over three years for poor countries to help them fight climate change, and a long term funding package worth $100bn a year by 2020.

There is references to the importance of reducing deforestation and efforts to give poor countries access to technology that helps them to go green.

Originally, the plan was for the Copenhagen talks to deliver a comprehensive, legally-binding international deal to tackle climate change. But it has been clear for some time that such an agreement would not materialise at these talks.

Talks with a political agreement drawn up by leaders, which was eventually accepted by the conference of more than 190 countries this morning.

But some things are missing there is no mention of any long term global emissions cut targets, although the 50% reduction by 2050, which was dropped at the last minute, is what would be needed to meet the 2C temperature cap still referred to in the deal.

There is also no target, for long term cuts that developed countries must do.

Mainly there is an absence of any timescale for when or even if the deal could be turned into a legally binding treaty.

So we look forward to the next conference! and heres hoping that we will all pull together a little bit more.

New Year resolutions to sustainability

Check with your local council what it recycles and please stick to this. Clean your cans and jars too.

Think local and buy fair trade whenever possible.

Try and buy natural paint, cleaning and beauty products, they are a little more expensive but they are so much better for the environment and you. (especially if you suffer with asthma)

By not buying as much in the first place, recycling/waste is easier at the other end.

Take your unwanted clothes to your local charity shop or school fair.

Try to plan your weekly shop so you don’t throw away any food. A small compost heap for any raw fruit/vegetables, tea bags, cardboard and of course garden waste. This will all make the best homemade compost to put back into your garden.

Invest in some chickens! we love ours and their eggs. Kitchen scraps are used up in minutes.

Save water! invest in some water butts, shower instead of baths and drink tap water rather than bottled.

I know I have mentioned this many times, but an energy meter is a must and especially with the 10:10 campaign at the moment to cut down your energy consumption by 10% by 2010. you can read more on the 10:10 website.

Think about disposable products you buy, like paper towels, bags, pens etc. and try to replace them with reusable products,

For a long time now we go to our local library every fortnight, it’s easy, free and the best range of books.

Draft proof your house, check your windows, doors and keyholes for unwanted drafts.

Loft Insulation

Between 15 and 25 percent of the heat lost from our homes is lost through the roof, loft insulation helps to trap that rising hot air.  By topping up existing insulation  to the recommended 270mm can help your home to retain heat during the cold winter months ahead.   The average household saving on annual heating bills can be more than £150. You’ll also be helping to save the planet by reducing your home’s carbon footprint to the tune of one tonne of CO2 a year.

270mm of insulation is almost the length of a ruler, by the time you’ve put 100mm of insulation down, it will be level with the top of many ceiling joists. To get the extra depth of insulation you need to lay in the opposite direction.

Thickness is one thing, quality of material is another. Synthetic materials such as glass fibre and mineral wool, and natural sheep’s wool are popular choices for insulating. However, cost and quality can vary.

Fitted with the full 270mm of insulation, your loft may be no good for storage. However, you can still improve insulation and create a safe place for storage by using a product like Space Board from Space Insulation (space-insulation.com). This 52.5mm-thick board goes on top of the ceiling joists (that you’ve already filled with 100mm or more of insulation material). Chipboard loft boards go on top and are screwed down through the Space Board to create an insulated storage platform.

CHOOSING YOUR INSULATION

Glass fibre wool on the roll is cheap (from £2/m2 for 100mm depth), readily available from DIY stockists and very effective. On the downside, if it comes into contact with your skin you’ll be itching for days afterwards — always wear hooded overalls, a dust mask and gloves.

Mineral wool is slightly more expensive, but far more fire-resistant than glass fibre wool and offers the same insulation benefits. As standard, it has the same unpleasant- to-handle characteristics as glass fibre, but increasingly mineral wool is being sold on the roll, enclosed in a heat-reflecting metallised polythene film . This makes the product far easier to handle and adds to the insulation. From around £5/m2 for 100mm depth.

Sheep’s wool is a great natural insulator (10% better than man-made material alternatives). Unless you are allergic to wool you can install it wearing regular work clothes. Wool is also easy to tear into shape and, as a result, can be installed quicker than the synthetic varieties that need cutting with scissors or a knife. Sheep’s wool, typically £8.75/m2 for 100mm depth, is, however, a more expensive option.

GRANTS AND REDUCED-COST LOFT INSULATION

On September 11th 2008 the Government announced a range of measures to improve energy efficiency in our homes. One of the measures was to offer half-price loft insulation, regardless of income, with those on benefits and/or over 70 entitled to free insulation. The measure, part of the Home Energy Saving Programme, will cost UK energy firms some £910m. So how to take advantage? The Government announced a helpline (0800 512 012) .  See if you qualify for benefits, warmfront.co.uk.