National Grid has launched a low energy smart bulb that signals when the electricity in the home is being powered by clean or green energy sources.
The launch of the bulb comes as new research shows that 38% of UK adults feel hopeless about climate change, with more than a third (37%) believing that we have reached a tipping point and have passed the point of no return.
In a bid to help Britain understand where it gets electricity from, National Grid has launched the Green Light Signal – a low-energy light bulb designed to glow green when the electricity supply at home is cleanest so people can make smarter energy choices.
The gadget is powered by National Grid’s carbon intensity API (carbonintensity.org.uk), a carbon intensity forecasting tool with a regional breakdown, built by National Grid ESO, WWF and The University of Oxford and The European Defence Fund.
National Grid CEO John Pettigrew said: “Climate change is the biggest crisis humanity faces.
“As a principal partner of COP26, we want to give people hope by making them aware of the transformational changes taking place in the energy sector as we move towards a clean energy future.
“Great Britain’s energy system hit a new green record earlier this month with almost 80% of electricity coming from zero carbon sources, and in the last seven years we have cut carbon emissions from the electricity system by 66%.”
“We know there is still lots to do, but by showing people the progress that’s been made and bringing them together to better understand energy consumption with tools like the Green Light Signal, collectively we can make a real and significant impact in the fight against climate change.”
The survey also found that “carbon jargon” is making it more difficult for Brits to engage on the issue with many having never heard of terms like carbon neutral (42%) or net zero (61%).
Only 10% of UK adults having heard of COP26 – the UN climate conference to be hosted in the UK this November.