emissions are produced in the developed world. The graph in Fig. 9 shows the amount of electricity used on an average day in Ireland and the resulting amount of carbon dioxide emitted.
Electricity used
Tonnes of CO2
per hour
Fig. 9 The amount of electricity used in Ireland in a day and the resulting amount of CO2
generated.
34.4 Our responsibility for the future l
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It is our responsibility to: Generate electricity in an economical way that does not have a negative impact on people and the environment. Develop more sustainable technologies to generate electricity, i.e. renewable energy. Reduce our consumption of electricity.
Living in an energy-efficient way, reducing our consumption and not wasting electricity has a direct impact on all aspects of sustainability.
Reducing our electricity consumption Earth hour is a worldwide environmental movement. It is organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). This event happens every year in March. People are encouraged to use less electricity by turning off their non-essential lights between 8.30 and 9.30 p.m.
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There are many ways that we can reduce our consumption of electricity at home: Insulate your house to reduce heat loss. Buy appliances with an A energy rating. Wait until dishwashers and washing machines are full before using them.
Fig. 10 Every year in March people are encouraged to switch off unnecessary lights for one hour during what is known as Earth hour.
