Acton Resident Writes to Save the World

The Low Carbon Diet - reduce your imprint

If you think you need encouragement to save the planet, Rachel Lewis - who lives in Acton - has recently published a book, written with co-author Polly Ghazi which should give you a prod in a greener direction.  

How many of us have thought about energy-saving light-bulbs and then thought: "what is the point of making such a tiny adjustment against global warming?" Or perhaps you have thought about carbon offsetting schemes but been stopped in your tracks by confusing information about which ones are most effective.

With information attractively presented, nuggets of gossip to keep your interest and lots of useful ideas, this is a book designed to appeal to those of us who love the idea of saving the planet, but who need encouragement to take simple steps towards doing it.  

Rachel says she and Polly met while they were both living in Washington. Rachel has been back since September. The two women decided to write the book because they felt the huge amount of information about what we can do to save the planet was making it daunting for people. "I think people are at a loss to know what they can do and also whether it will make any difference."  

The book, called The Low Carbon Diet provides nuggets of information which may kick start planet saving behaviour. "For instance," she told me: "if everyone fitted just one energy-efficient lightbulb it would save enough energy to light the Blackpool Illuminations for 900 years." Also in the book it says that transporting one small punnet of New Zealand strawberries to your fridge generates as much CO2 as your car releases on 11 school runs.  

Everything is presented in an appealing way and makes being environmentally responsible seem colourful and attractive. It also makes it very easy to see how making small changes can add up to reducing our carbon footprints.  

Each section starts with simple rules and then goes on to list inspiring but practical ideas. Here's a selection: Use an incense stick or even a cigarette to work out where draughts are coming in to your house; slide aluminium foil behind radiators; buy British (and local*) instead of foreign produce; make a 'fly less' pledge; use sun-powered garden lights; hold a clothes-swap party... There are also some ideas which make remarkably good sense (buy wine from Europe, not Australia or California) and will enable you to make decisions on environmental grounds.

I asked Rachel about her own credentials as a planet-saving Acton resident. She told me she recycles everything, "although I admit it does take more time." She admitted to not liking the light from low watt lightbulbs, but says "there has to be a compromise."   Having been back in Acton only since September, she is impressed with the food recycling green bins, "but I'm depressed by the amount of rubbish in the streets and by all the dog poo."  

Rachel says it is shocking that the UK is the 7th largest emittor of CO2 and that we must "lead by example". However, she admits that her car is her 'bete noire' - although she shares the school run with another family. With summer almost upon us, here is a picture of Rachel on her bike to inspire you.  

*Don't forget Acton Farmer's Market is on Saturdays outside Morrisons from 9:00am-2:00pm.

The Low Carbon Diet is available at all good bookshops or from Amazon.co.uk at £12.99.      

June 7, 2007