Electrical gadgets add to global warming
New research by the Energy Saving Trust has revealed how our love affair with electrical gadgets is adding to UK's already rising carbon emissions.
The purchase of household appliances is expected to soar in 2007. As many as 30 millions items are likely to enter UK homes over the next 6 months, which will add to carbon emissions because the volume of gadgets will swamp the annual energy efficiency gain of just 2%.
In the 1970s a modern household would contains an average of 17 electrical items, while a 2006 home has 47 items. One major growth area is mobile phones, digital cameras and television sets, which is expected to reach more than 2 million.
"Unfortunately many consumers are unaware of the "global cost" of their purchase," said Mr. Philip Sellwood, the chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust. "A plasma television costs 404 kg of carbon per year and is adding an additional £97 to your energy bill."
Laptops emit 33% of their annual CO2 volume by being left in standby mode; 4 kg out of 13 kg in total.
14th December 2006
Money Burners
Plasma TV
404 kg CO2 = £97 py
Freeview box
30 kg CO2 = £7 py
Laptop
13 kg CO2 = £3 py
