After signing up enthusiastically for 10:10, what have I done in 2010 to reduce emissions? Since I already lived with a smaller than average carbon footprint I had to be creative about this.

Home energy

I started by signing up with imeasure to monitor my energy use throughout the year, and I managed to maintain an A rating pretty much 100% of the time. This means my home energy use is 60-79% lower than the average imeasure user. The electricity I do use comes from Good Energy, who invest in independent renewable power projects around the country.

I bought a new fridge and new cooking facilities, both much more energy efficient than the old models. I also bought an energy wizard, a device that helps reduce energy use by levelling out fluctuation in the electricity.

To cut down on heating I had to pester my housing association, who eventually agreed to add loft insulation to my house.

Harvesting the allotment

Food and transport

I had my first substantial harvest from my allotment, which I acquired in 2009 – all organic, no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. I have also tried to buy more organic food and local produce. Apart from coffee, cacao and my beans and pulses, all the food I buy is from the UK or EU, and where possible from Scotland. 

My transport emissions were already quite low (I don't own a car and have no plans to buy one) but I have made an effort walk more and use the bus less. 

A better world

I switched to the Co-operative Bank last year, as I want to see my money invested ethically and be sure it will not go into deep sea oil drilling, tar sands or other environmentally damaging projects.

I also increased my donations to Tree Aid, a wonderful organisation that brings economic independence and hope to small communities in Africa by planting trees and educating villagers in farming techniques. With many others I fought to protect English forests from privatisation and stopped plans to build an US-style cow factory farm in rural England.

Here in Glasgow I have added my voice to two projects: Save Otago Lane and the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign, that are fighting  to protect valuable community space from new housing developments.

Next steps

This year I would like to start an orchard on a bit of wasteland near my street and get the community and the local primary school involved. I'm also planning to campaign for manually controlled staircase lighting in Glasgow's social housing sector (or at least in my street). This will hopefully  mean big energy savings for the council and give us residents more control over when we have light in our common areas.