Some explanatory notes


The scores recorded in each section show you how much energy different activities consume. The higher the score, the less energy you are using.


For instance, if you have flown more than 40,000 km in the past five years you will score a massive minus 60 points. One long­distance flight in five years will score 4 points. If you have not flown at all you will score 12.



Housing Space

The amount of energy you use to heat your home will depend on how big it is. In this case, small is beautiful!



Room Temperature

Turning down the thermostat just 1°C can cut energy use by 6­7 per cent. Beware, though: thermometers areoften inaccurate, so borrow another one to double­check your heating levels.



Cooking

Eating out can be very energy­consuming. Many restaurants rely on frozen foods and pre­cooked meals -- check with the waiter to find out if food is fresh and cooked on the premises.



Electrical Appliances

Fluorescent tubes and energy-efficient light bulbs use less energy than conventional lights. But take care not to switch them on and off too frequently. This uses a lot of energy!


Watch out for partly turned­off electrical appliances - they continue to consume energy! A TV switched off by remote control is still burning energy. A glowing light will often show that an appliance is in the wasteful standby position.



Diet

Non-vegetarians take note! Eating meat affects the climate.


Animals burn up 6 to 8 times as many calories as plants to provide us with the same amount of calories. Raising animals is therefore very energy­intensive. And because animals produce methane gas, they add to the greenhouse effect. So you might think about cutting down the amount of meat you eat...


"Seasonal products" - fresh vegetables and fruit that have been grown locally in open beds or in unheated greenhouses - are the most climate­ friendly food products.



Consumer Goods

Large amounts of energy are used in producing, packaging, using, and disposing of most consumer goods. It therefore makes sense to buy clothes, furniture, etc. which will last a long time.



Transport

Cars: leaving your car parked at home is not the answer! If you have a car it's better to use it - but use it wisely. In our test, it is car sharing that counts!


Air travel: this requires a lot of energy. It is especially harmful when planes are empty and when they take off and land frequently.