I think it's all amazingly positive, and it's great what's being done in Wolvercote, but I'm now more confused than ever. (1) Should I shop locally even though goods might not have been sourced locally? Should I buy local produce even though it might have been produced out of season whereas stuff from abroad might be in season? What about fair trade for Africa? (2) Should I have solar panels even though they take 15 years(?) to pay back the energy taken to manufacture them? Anyway, would I be allowed them on my south-facing roof, which faces the street in a conservation area? Similar question re double glazing. (3) Apparently energy from Good Energy would cost me £75/year more than what I have now; travelling by train abroad would cost miles more than by plane (OK, (3) is just an excuse I know - don't go - forget this item).
(1) Should I shop locally even though goods might
not have been sourced locally? Should I buy local produce even
though it might have been produced out of season whereas stuff from
abroad might be in season? What about fair trade for
Africa?
That is a tough question - and one we are currently making a
game about! It is hard for people to balance all these conflicting
requirements. For me personally, I tend to shop Fair Trade
for goods which are not grown locally (and which it would not make
sense to grow locally) such as coffee, chocolate, tea, bananas
etc.
For everything else I try to shop locally first and then organic
second as the supermarkets have a tendency to charge 100% more for
organic produce.
Eating seasonally is great and I try whenever we can. Trueth be
told we are having a go at attempting our first herb garden at the
moment. Its good fun for me (I'm a complete novice!)
(2) Should I have solar panels even though they take
15 years(?) to pay back the energy taken to manufacture them?
Anyway, would I be allowed them on my south-facing roof, which
faces the street in a conservation area?
This is a very tricky one but one with light at the end of the
tunnel. Ian posted a link to a really interesting story on this
issue: http://climatex.org/forums/lower-carbon-societies/26/
Similar question re double glazing. (3) Apparently
energy from Good Energy would cost me £75/year more
than what I have now;
Yeah a toughie - we have opted to use Good Energy, but when you
are on a budget it can be a tough call. Other providers do provide
renreables though, so it is worth shopping around (I believe
uSwitch.com allows you to compare green energy
providers).
travelling by train abroad would cost miles more
than by plane
But you are should travel. There are a new generation of far
cleaner planes coming in, but frankly I think it comes down to
senseible balancing. Do you need to go by plane? Is the trip
important?
Hannah, my wife, and I are planning a trip to Spain, and we are
looking at catching various trains there (via Paris and Bacelona)
and stopping off along the way. We will probably fly back
though!
Anyway, just some thoughts!
Cheers,
Gobion
