Energy is essential to power our everyday lives. However, a constantly increasing demand for power has been met by a global dependence on fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) at the expense of a healthy and stable environment. Whilst it is necessary to reduce individual energy consumption to limit our environmental impact, it is equally important to ensure the energy we use comes from clean and renewable sources.

Energy supply is the second largest emitting sector in the UK, contributing to almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, technological efficiency in the renewable energy sector is able to harness the power of the ocean, sun, wind and other natural resources to collect clean and unlimited energy. By tackling unsustainable energy and replacing it with a much cleaner alternative, we can reduce a significant amount of the harmful emissions contributing to climate change.

Due to the increasing capability of technologies to capture and store renewables, sustainable energy providers often boast price competitive tariffs alongside leading UK companies and regularly out price the ‘Big Six’ energy providers.

The big ‘dirty’ six currently occupy over 75% of the market share for electricity in the UK. By investing your hard earned money into renewable energy providers you can help to pave the way for a greener national grid system, where renewable energies contribute a greater share to the UK energy supply.

A number of your fellow Sheffield students agree on the personal importance of switching to clean energy and over 75% of survey respondents said they were likely to switch to a renewable energy provider. Change is already happening and you too can join a new generation of energy-conscious consumers.

Enter your postcode into any one of the following price comparison websites, or directly at the renewable energy website above to check how much you can save (both price and environment-wise). Note that searches on the price comparison sites below will also include fossil-fuelled energy providers, so make sure you only switch to a truly renewable provider. If you believe we're missing any green providers from our list above, get in touch at studentsustainability@sheffield.ac.uk:

• Compare The Market
• uSwitch
• MoneySuperMarket
• Simply Switch
• Switch Gas & Electric

Although awareness for the high carbon emissions associated with food is rising, not everyone realises just how much your diet can contribute to climate change. Certain foods (particularly meat and dairy) have far higher carbon emissions associated with them than others, and reducing or cutting out your intake can really help save our planet!

Low impact

• Poultry
• Eggs
• Vegetable

Medium impact

• Cheese
• Pork
• Prawns
• Fish
• Butter
• Cream
• Milk

High impact

• Beef
• Lamb

Of course, there is no realistic diet that will totally eliminate carbon impact. But with 20% of total global direct carbon emissions linked to food and agriculture, adopting a flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan diet can help greatly reduce your carbon footprint.

A vegan diet is one that does not consume any animal products, including meat, eggs and dairy products such as milk and cheese. Neither does it involve foods with traces of animal products such as gelatin or honey. It is entirely plant-based and ensures all nutrition is met from vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses and cereals. A vegan diet is often misjudged as difficult to adopt and nutritionally imbalanced. However, with an open mind and a willingness to try new things, it is much easier than you may think. The number of vegans in the UK has risen by 360% in the last decade  and hence the vegan market has grown too, meaning there is more choice than ever in supermarkets.

The flexitarian diet is becoming increasingly popular with those who want to make a difference but want to keep meat a treat. Whilst a vegan and vegetarian diet emit approximately 1.5 and 1.7 tonnes of carbon a year respectively, an omnivorous diet emits approximately 2.2 tonnes of carbon. However, those who cut out red meat alone emit 1.9 tonnes a year, proving that a drastic change in diet isn’t the only way to save the planet!

A vegetarian diet is one that does not consume meat, including meat traces in products such as sweets (as gelatin) or pesto. This diet is a good transition diet to veganism whilst greatly reducing your carbon emissions. There are plenty of substitutes for meat-based meals, including replacement vegetables (such as chickpeas for chicken in a curry) or meat-substitutes. Those new to the diet question if vegetarians get enough protein, to which the answer is yes! With mindful eating and ensuring enough nuts, pulses and eggs are incorporated into the diet, this is no issue for most.

The flexitarian diet is becoming increasingly popular with those who want to make a difference but want to keep meat a treat. Whilst a vegan and vegetarian diet emit approximately 1.5 and 1.7 tonnes of carbon a year respectively, an omnivorous diet emits approximately 2.2 tonnes of carbon. However, those who cut out red meat alone emit 1.9 tonnes a year, proving that a drastic change in diet isn’t the only way to save the planet!

What's your carbon footprint?

Calculate your carbon emissions and see where you can cut down.

Find out how much carbon does your diet emit?

Planes use a huge amount of fuel and as a result produce a huge amount of emissions. Taking a long haul flight from the UK to the USA for example, produces the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a whole year of driving in the UK. Planes also release Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and water vapour which are more potent greenhouse gases than CO2. These gases also have a greater warming effect when released at high altitudes compared to ground level and can disrupt the function of the ozone layer.

Aircraft emissions can also have negative impacts at ground level, with airports having pollution levels as high as city centres. Along with the noise pollution created by airports this can be seriously detrimental to health.

Improvements in aircraft technology and air traffic management will not be enough to offset the predicted growth in aircraft emissions. Therefore it is only by slowing the growth of air travel that we can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with flying.

By staying grounded and avoiding a return flight once a year you can save up to 9.6 tonnes of CO2 which is nearly the same amount as the yearly emissions of an average Brit! You needn’t miss out on having a holiday though, try looking into different ways of getting there such as by train, coach or ferry. You could also think about being a tourist in your own country and have a staycation.

How to do it

These sites are a great place to start when looking into overland travel - seat61 is , rome2rio , loco2 is and the other sites are great for coaches.

seat61.com - the "overland bible" for exactly how to get trains and ferries, anywhere!

rome2rio.com - can display all your different route possibilities (scroll down for no-fly options)

loco.com - good for booking UK and/or European trains and coaches

TOP TIP - the furthest in advance you can plan your travel (i.e. 3-4 months in advance when booking normally opens), the more affordable it will be.

In praise of staycations - an opinion piece on why holidaying in the UK often beats flying anyway!