‘Green Bling’ Becoming Popular In London

Posted under Blog by Ruth

Recent reports have suggested that some Londoners are more interested in the trendy side of going green, than actually taking the right steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

The report was recently published in the London Evening Standard, and states that Mayor Boris Johnson’s environmental advisor states that people are using ‘eco-bling’ rather than taking measures that will effectively reduce energy usage.

Isabel Dedring, environmental advisor, told MPs that people are spending a lot of money on the trendy and more visible signs of going green, rather than stopping heat from leaking out of homes and ultimately saving more money and reducing carbon emissions.

Dedring stated that, though loft insulation could be far more effective than installing solar panels on your roof, ‘they want the eco-bling factor’ and will install measures such as solar panels instead. On top of this, figures show that around 60-80 percent of all homes in London (out of three million) need to have a green refit.

Long term changes in home that would help to reduce heat loss include double glazing, as a large proportion of our home’s heat is ultimately lost through our windows.

However, environmental auditor Dannochadh McCarthy has claimed that the comments are unhelpful.

A new climate change programme in the city means that buildings such as colleges, hospitals and council buildings will be given help to make effective green changes, including double glazing, solar power, insulation and energy saving lighting.

Mayor Boris Johnson recently visited a fire station in Ilford where changes have been made, helping to cut down on carbon emissions by a total of 40 percent. Nine more fire stations, 22 Transport for London buildings and 10 Police Service buildings have in total achieved a £1 million saving on their bills.