I should have known better than to write “We look forward to the June results” last month. The result was most surprising: we had only used 1.26% less electricity than we did in June 2008! We were initially confounded by this apparent collapse of our energy saving results until we realised that we were looking at an additional 1.26% on top of what we had already saved in 2008. The project was already underway at that point and we were already making significant savings.
As we recorded in the village newsletter, the Nor’Lye News:
“Is all lost? We think not. First, because it is easier to make savings during the colder, darker months when more energy is inevitably consumed. Second, because we shall get the benefit of savings recorded in the last months of 2008 when the sub-station instrumentation became operational: 2.7% in October, 4.94% in November and 9.54% in December, so all we have to do is top them up to 10! Finally because the CNL team believe we can all find ways to save more.”
That’s about all that can be said about that at present, but three other points are worth making.
It is very clear from many media and internet reports that “The world is waking up to climate change”. That’s good! There are reports on every aspect of it, from “Water wars break out” in Bhopal, to Los Angeles’ intention to stop using electricity generated in coal- fired power stations by 2020, accepting that the 1.45 million customers will see higher power bills in the fight against climate change. The latter tells us that there is no need to wait for central governments to tell us what to do: local actions whether on a large or small scale all help. The former warns us of the realities of failure to perceive the threat and take action.
It is becoming clearer that action is urgently required. 2015 is the year in which the probability of calamity will increase significantly unless the nations of the world have taken action. Climate change is a complex and difficult subject but for a summary of the reasons for that statement, read this month’s article “How long have we got”? Better: read Mark Lynas’ book “Six Degrees”, “Life in a warming world” yourself.
It is equally clear that that North Leigh must not be content to have completed two energy efficiency projects by the end of 2009. Continuing action will be required to sustain our savings record and to expand the scope of our climate change activities. The CNL team have therefore submitted an Expression of Interest to the Energy Savings Trust’s Green Communities scheme.
Loading ...