Category: Environment

Residential Solar Panels – My Thoughts

The Climate Change Collective – Latest Post – Installing and Running Residential Solar Panels

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It is time to celebrate the latest post from ‘The Climate Change Collective’ of bloggers. This month it was Krista’s turn to produce the lead article and she has really inspired me. Talking about her own experience of adding solar panels, she highlights the impact.

Krista has found a big reduction in her power bills. Her post also clearly demonstrates how much this affects the environment. For instance, her solar panels have reduced 12.99 tonnes of CO2 emissions and potentially saved a number of trees. Any excess power generated contributes to the National Grid.

The latest environmental article:

Residential Solar Panels 2022 – Year in Review

Read more about how Krista found the fitting and inclusion of solar panels at home. She added more panels two years after the initial instillation when she realised the potential.

My Thoughts

This is the dream for me to have solar panels and I am setting money aside for this. They are extremely expensive in the UK but hopefully will become more accessible soon.

There are many flat fields of solar panels in my county. However, one large solar panel site was blocked recently. Apparently politicians considered it an eye-sore. I am sorry but looks don’t matter. To me, coal and gas power stations aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing either.

In A Nutshell

Encouraging putting solar panels on houses should be a government priority. Prices should be reduced and grants available. This is a brilliant thing to do, after all.

The Climate Change Collective started from a conversation between Michelle (Boomer EcoCrusader) and myself. We have asked other likeminded bloggers to get involved and now have a passionate, growing community.

If you would like to involve your blog, please drop a comment or tweet one of us. Make sure you check out our latest blog post from Krista at a sustainably simple life.

A World Without Ice – Poem

On the ITV News (Wednesday) they spoke about how rapidly the ice is retreating in the Arctic Circle. A report visited Svalbard where scientists famously research climate change. He spoke about the likelihood that there will be no ice at all in the North Pole by 2040. I could not stop worrying about how impactful a world without ice will be.

As temperatures rise seven times faster in the Arctic Circle, we have a sense of urgency. It is important that we combat global warming now. If we do not, ice will melt, sea levels will rise and animals become extinct. Warm air masses will dominate. Food shortages will be rife.

Whether or not most people care about climate change, I do not know. I do think we should care. We should do far more than care. Climate change needs tackling. Now.

Rant over… Take a look at my short ‘A World Without Ice’ poem.

A world without ice

Is boring and hot.

No snowflakes are falling,

Little fun to be got.

A world without ice

Means no polar bears too.

A lack of cold habitats

No need for skidoos.

A world without ice

Is sad and injust

With tropical storms

And deserts of dust.

A world without ice

Is a miserable place

Just carbon emissions

And smog in your face

A world without ice

Is a world I’d dislike.

So get out of those planes

And start riding your bike.

Final Thoughts

These are the times when we can make the biggest difference. As voters we can lobby the government to invest in fossil-free fuels. We can choose cleaner ways to travel. Distant meetings can be replaced with Zoom ones.

I hope that my little poem makes you think. I would hate to see Arctic animals lose their homes. Similarly I would hate to see the Fenlands covered in water. So many things I worry about.

Are you worried about climate change and ice melting? What suggestions do you have to make an impact?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my environmental poem. For something less serious, have a read of my Motherland TV show review.

Saving Energy – Practically

At the end of every month, the Climate Change Collective of bloggers take turns writing an article about the environment. I am passionate about blogging about climate issues and saving energy. It is important that we keep raising the issue and share advice for being ecofriendly.

What is this month’s article about?

I loved reading the latest post which is by Cristiana (@crisbranc) and welcome her to our group. The article, How you can reduce your energy consumption and save money by saving the planet, explores many useful ways to make your home more energy efficient.

My Thoughts

I am trying very hard to keep my own house warm and have chosen a house with no gas supply. Electricity, on the whole, is a cleaner form of energy. The use of solar panels, hydro-electricity generation and wind farms is increasing, after all.

For me, I am paying the price, though. The Russian War and dependency of the UK on foreign fossil fuels stifles us somewhat. This has led to inflated prices, with my own electric bill being over £300 last month.

Keeping curtains closed really does make a difference. Using a hot water bottle is also a good way of avoiding heating my bedroom, I have discovered. Clothes are better left drying in the conservatory rather than in the tumble dryer, which is expensive to run.

In A Nutshell

Cristiana has produced a detailed list post with so many helpful tips. These range from reducing the temperature you heat your water to checking your oven is properly sealed. If you can make a few changes to become more energy efficient then you can also save money.

Thank you for reading my brief notes. Please pop over to the main Climate Change Collective post and drop a supportive comment. I also have written a poem about the environment, all about the lack of Snow.