BRITISH adults are “doing their bit” to help combat climate change, but are unsure of how their actions help because they’re so overwhelmed with information.
A study of 4,000 adults revealed 70 per cent are helping to tackle the climate crisis by reducing their waste and recycling more.
Others are using less energy (66 per cent) and driving less (65 per cent).
But 59 per cent want more education on the climate crisis and what impact their actions actually have.
Half of those polled were unsure how turning off the lights or TV switches when not in use can help, while only a third are clear that limiting water consumption can make a difference.
Households are being encouraged to install smart meters to help them keep on top of their energy consumption, as well as save them cash.
It comes after separate research showed homes that do have one saved £260million during lockdown.
How to switch energy suppliers and save money now
MILLIONS of households across the UK have never switched and are stuck paying more than they should.
Have a recent bill to hand – this will have all the details you'll need, such as the name of your tariff, your recent spending etc.
If in doubt, call your provider and ask them to move you to their cheapest tariff.
Better still, use an impartial copmarision website like uSwitch, Citizen Adviceor Energyhelpline.com to find the very best deal for you.
MoneySavingExpert.com's Cheap Energy Club will let you set up an email reminder that alerts you when cheaper deals become available.
The cheapest tariffs are usually found online and are fixed deals – meaning you guarantee how much you’ll pay for a set amount of time, usually 12 months.
Switching to a cheaper supplier could cut your bill by up to £300 a year.
The amount you pay varies depending on where you live and how much energy you use.
The study, commissioned by Smart Energy GB, also found a fifth were unaware coal is still used as an electricity source in the UK – until we recently set a coal-free record of nearly 68 days.
Seven in ten adults didn’t know about this record, and nearly a third didn’t recognise the importance of this as a step in the right direction for the environment.
Data from Energy Saving Trust revealed that during the coal free period we reduced our CO2e emissions by 5.5 million tonnes compared to the same period over recent years.
That’s equivalent to the CO2e emitted from 1.5 million homes each year or enough CO2e to fill 1.2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Smart Energy GB has teamed up with Energy Saving Trust and Carol Vorderman to explain the positive impact people’s eco-friendly actions have.
Carol Vorderman said: “The simple actions we take are so important, because when they are added together, they're immensely powerful.
“Getting a smart meter installed is a small thing we can all do.
“Not only do they help us monitor how much energy we use, they'll also help fight climate change by helping us to rely more on renewable energy and enabling low carbon alternatives such as EVs.”
The study also found 46 per cent recognise how cutting down meat and dairy consumption is good for the planet, but only 36 per cent understand exactly why it will help make a difference.
A further 64 per cent are aware renewable energy is paramount in the war against climate change, but half aren’t actually clear on why this is.
It also emerged a quarter of the nation believe their knowledge is limited because they find it a confusing subject to cover, while 17 per cent don’t think they could confidently explain climate change to someone who had never heard of it.
A quarter (26 per cent) also feel they lack knowledge because they find the amount of information overwhelming.
The study also found 23 per cent are concerned about their environmental impact but are stumped on how to make a difference.
In fact, only 38 per cent of adults believe they do enough to reduce their carbon footprint.
And 68 per cent of people worry about how climate change will affect the next generation’s future, according to the OnePoll research.
Robert Cheesewright, director, Smart Energy GB said: “Making changes to the way we live will allow us to move away from fossil fuels and become carbon neutral.
“Part of the road to a reduction in fossil fuel usage is to upgrade our outdated energy system, and everyone can play their part in this important upgrade by getting a smart meter installed.
“It's great that everyone is so keen to do their bit to combat climate change and want to know more.”
To request a smart meter installation, contact your energy supplier.
Here's how to cut your energy bills in the meantime.
Millions of households will see energy bills fall by up to £95 a year in October as a cap on prices is set to be slashed.
Households targeted by scammers offering £5,000 green energy vouchers.
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