Energy Prices – Climate Crisis:
Making the connections and making an impact
The UK faces two crises:
- The cost-of-living crisis, with millions of people struggling to pay their energy bills.
- The climate crisis, which is already seriously affecting many millions across the world.
- Cutting our energy use and ending energy waste can help us address BOTH crises.
These pages offer advice on saving energy, saving money and on making your voice heard.
January 2023 update: The report on our recent workshop on Warm Homes for Oxfordshire and the presentations made are all available at https://www.oxfoe.co.uk/warm-homes-for-oxfordshire/
Please sign our Warm Homes for Oxfordshire petition here
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How do we fix the energy crisis and the climate crisis?
In November 2022 OxFoE held a public meeting on this topic . Speakers were:
- Greg Jackson – Chief Executive of Octopus Energy;
- Tessa Khan – Director of Uplift UK
- Zoe Sprigings – Chief Executive of Oxfordshire Community Foundation
Videos of their talks (each about 12 mins) are available here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuh9rgDk1OdjWcDj77WiB3ncoHo50fTwK
Saving Energy: ‘Power Down!’
Almost a quarter of the energy we buy is wasted. Our homes can be warmer and cheaper to heat if we cut that waste.
We can start saving energy now through simple, low-cost measures. For advice on reducing energy use in your home see our ‘Power Down’ page. This has links to a range of the advice that we think is most useful from national and local sources.
The Oxford-based Low Carbin Hub have a highly recommended ‘Winter Warmer Checklist’ full of useful advice and links.
You can also get phone support from a government advice line. This could be helpful if you do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device or do not have internet access:
Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home: Telephone: 0800 444 202
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Making our voices heard
No-one should have to live in a cold damp home. Here in Oxfordshire soaring gas prices and heat-leaking homes mean too many of us are struggling to keep warm and pay our bills.
Our energy system has failed us. But we know there are ways to fix it.
We – people and communities in Oxfordshire – are calling for government action now. Will you join us?
We need:
• A national emergency programme to insulate our homes and other buildings
• Urgent additional financial support to keep people warm.
• Transformation of our failed energy system to work for people and the planet
Please sign our letter to the government here.
We are calling for warm homes that don’t cost the earth.
Clean Energy: ‘Power Up!’
Energy production causes about 2/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions. Most of that energy is still coming from fossil fuels – gas, oil and coal. It’s time to make some changes.
We can spend less and cut emissions by using renewable energy. Our use of clean renewable energy is growing fast.
Prices have fallen fast in the last ten years. Wind energy is now the cheapest source of electricity. In 2020 over 40% of our electricity came from renewable energy sources.
Renewable energy, linked with improved storage systems, can give us energy security and clean power now and in the future. We can:
• Support plans for new renewable energy projects
• Encourage our community buildings to install clean energy systems
• Switch to energy suppliers that offer 100% green energy or green energy tariffs.
• Install solar in our own homes if we have the resources.
The Energy Prices – Climate Crisis Exhibition 8 panel exhibition has been produced by Oxford and Manchester Friends of the Earth in Sept. 2022. You can download a small copy of the exhibition here.
Fo more information contact us: climate@oxfoe.co.uk