Save the planet (and £80,000 of your cash)

RESEARCH by an Edinburgh University professor is the basis for a new book claiming green living could save people £80,000 each.

Dr David Reay compared two contrasting lifestyles over an average lifetime to prove environmentally friendly living could save thousands of pounds.

The book, published by Friends of the Earth and publisher Harper Collins, claims saving measures just within the home can cut energy bills for a typical family in a three-bedroom semi by 200 a year.

Save Cash and Save the Planet, written by Andrea Smith and Nicola Baird, is out today and provides dozens of tips on living a greener lifestyle.

Dr Reay’s research claims that living an exemplary green lifestyle from cradle to grave could save up to 80,000 over a hypothetical individual’s lifetime and reduce climate emissions by 1000 tonnes.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s chief executive Duncan McLaren said: "Save Cash and Save the Planet shows that being good to the planet can be good for your budget and improve the quality of your life too.

"Climate change is the biggest environmental threat the planet faces. But this guide shows how we can all help to reduce its impact by not wasting energy.

"Small steps such as turning down the thermostat, switching to energy efficient light bulbs or driving a fuel efficient car will save cash and help the environment."