martin.normanton

background

Took very early retirement from local govt accountant position in 1997 and in 1999 got wound up about climate change, and went to work on the house, in stages. CO2 from house now down over 70%. Internal insulation of solid walls. Member of the Sustainable Energy Academy's "old home, superhome" network, see www.s-ea.org.uk Interests are cost effective carbon reduction (i.e. mostly energy efficiency) and climate change science and impacts, and grandchildren. Member of FOE with interest in climate change. Info at www.ecovation.org.uk/htmldesigns/victoriansemi.html

Birmingham

profile

Direct emissions 2.4 tons of CO2 per head: House is large semi, now underoccupied by me and Jane, as 2 kids are now parents themselves. Last year gas use was 8,000 KWh (house temp = 18 oC in occupied rooms) and electricity 2,200 (consisting of 1500 general plus 350 for HW to sink and basin and 350 for space htg short boosts in bathroom).Hence CO2 from house = 2.6 tons or 1.3 tons/head. Travel mostly by car, last year we drove 8518 miles, using 880 litres of petrol (so avg = 44 mpg). that makes 2.2 tons of CO2 (1.1 per head) at 2.4kg per litre. The big miles are visiting Jane's elderly mum in rural Herefordshire and our daughter and family in Penzance (sometimes use train, but need car when there; drive at 60-65 on motorway). Hmmm need to tackle the car's CO2. Martin cycles short trips and Jane walks same. Food: eat meat but not much of it.

expertise

Particular experience in insulation of solid walls