Making better use of energy: What can we do?

There are many ways in which we can make our lives more energy-efficient, either by changing our behaviour to save energy or by choosing energy-efficient products.

Modern materials like plastics are widely used to make products energy-efficient and save emissions. Today’s cars make use of strong, lightweight plastics to ensure they use less fuel and emit less CO₂. Plastics packaging also plays a major role in making transportation more energy efficient (for example, plastic bottles are many times lighter than glass bottles, and require a lot less fuel to transport).

When you think carefully you will find there are many little ways in which you can change your behaviour to save energy. This includes unplugging televisions and computers when they are not being used (they still use a lot of energy when they are on standby), walking instead of using cars for short journeys, and not opening windows when the heating is on (if you are too hot, just turn the heating down!).

Private buildings like our homes and schools are one of the biggest sources of CO₂ emissions. Taking simple steps such as insulating wall cavities with plastics or installing PVC windows can make a huge difference in reducing the amount of energy that is lost from buildings.

We all have the power to make an impact when it comes to fighting climate change. However we also have a responsibility to make sure that we do not just act as individuals, but that we try to change behaviour in our wider communities. This means convincing our friends, parents and teachers to become more energy-efficient as well. If we act together we can look forward to making a positive change for the future.