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Individual action for collective gain

Sean Cavendish Managing Director of Sunpowered Energy Systems argues that helping the Earth begins at home....

I am sure you have heard that statement on several occasions. But in reality, this statement is directed at you and your home, yes, you, the reader. Let me ask you a simple question. Are you taking any personal action in reducing your home’s energy consumption?

I first became involved with promoting and designing sun powered systems in 1991, just prior to the earth summit in Rio 1992. The conclusion of this conference being Agenda 21: Sustainable Development. For those of you who are unaware or unsure of sustainable development, it means simply: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Agenda 21 is a mammoth task. And it is facing us now. According to Agenda 21 documentation, we must cut energy consumption by some 50%. We have made a start and much has been achieved by dedicated individuals. However, there is information that indicates realistic fuel reduction figures of some 60% plus if we are even going to come close to the CO2 reductions required. This will require urgent and determined individual and collective attention.

The finger can easily be pointed at industrial production processes, and the elevated use of petrol and other fossil fuels. However, as a direct result of lighting and heating our homes, as well as heating water for washing or bathing, some 30-40% of all fuel used in this country comes from the private home. The social and economic strategy shows that 80% of domestic fossil fuel is used by the 20% of people in the higher income bracket. Those persons can afford to burn fuel. Would you classify yourself as one of those persons?

Contrary to popular belief, household water heating represents some 40 to 60% of your fuel consumption. You will personally save a considerable amount of money by utilising solar thermal and/or photovoltaic energy in your home. It is an immediate, tax free and a long term savings investment. In real terms it is better than having the equivalent money in the bank.

I believe that all new developments should have solar energy incorporated at design and build stages as a matter of law. We cannot keep building homes at the rates advised and expect to power them. This is simply not sustainable. It is possible that we, our children and our grandchildren, could be the last generations with maybe the last chance to get this right. When we build either new or refurbishment, we need not to just tot up the pennies that we are saving, we need to accredit all the values and add them up. Some things, like fresh air, and healthy children, you cannot buy. Please remember, we did not inherit this Earth from our fathers. We are simply borrowing it from our children. Of all life on this planet, Man is, and has been the most destructive. We may not want to believe it. Yet we all know something is seriously wrong. Floods, droughts, natural disasters; in future years, I believe this period will be known as fossil fuel madness.

If you agree or even disagree with the above comments, I ask that you take personal action now and to look into renewable energies. You would be personally showing responsibility and leadership, while saving money and helping our environment. Your one action means we all benefit.

Should you require further information or wish to debate my comments, I can be contacted on 02392 614 925 or e-mail sales@sunpowered.co.uk