They Blog For You

How many MPs does it take to power a light bulb? (There's a joke in there somewhere, I'm sure.) Answer: just one - I did it by pedal power alone, still wearing my shirt and tie!

Actually, it was really interesting to see how much more of my energy it took to get an old fashioned light bulb to light up in comparison to an energy saving one. The energy bike is a simple demonstration but it really works in terms of making you think about the energy you use as an individual.

I was told that boiling a kettle would take at least 15 energy bikes with proficient cyclists to produce enough power, so I don't think I'll be able to power all the electrical appliances in my own home any time soon. However, it's reassuring to know that small changes like upgrading a few light bulbs and not leaving TVs and other items on standby really does make a difference to how much energy we consume.

I had a go on the bike as part of the third annual International Parliamentary Conference on Climate Change. Despite the international element to the conference, they weren't just looking for global solutions to the issue of tackling climate change. Regardless of how insignificant one individual's contribution seems in relation to a large corporation's, every effort can potentially make a difference to the future.

Next time I put the kettle on for a cup of tea I'll just be grateful I don't have to pedal for it. Suddenly wind turbines and solar panels seem like the easy option!