New Eco-Friendly Ovens Set to Slash Energy Waste and Save Consumers £1.1 Billion

WIs and environmental groups across the country will be pleased to learn that thanks to new ‘Eco-design’ regulations aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of common household appliances, ovens and hobs just got a whole lot greener.

The new rules, which come into force today, mandate that manufacturers improve the energy efficiency of their products by, for instance, improving insulation or redesigning oven doors to mitigate heat loss. This directive will be phased in over a number of years, with no new appliances that score less than an “A” efficiency rating being allowed on the market after 2019. Eco-designed appliances will also have the added benefit of cutting an estimated £1.1 billion from Britons’ energy bills by 2030. This means that in the near future, consumers in the market for new kitchen appliances will be spoilt for choice when it comes to functionality, affordability, and sustainability.

This is very welcome news. Since the 1920s the WI has called for responsible and practical environmental stewardship. Whether it’s campaigning to clean up oil from our seas, urging the government to invest in alternative energy sources, or protecting the countryside from pollution, ‘green’ concerns have helped shape the WI’s identity over the past one hundred years.  Therefore, it will come as no surprise to WI members that new ComRes polling  on these “eco-design” regulations has revealed that ninety percent of respondents support energy efficiency regulations, and, furthermore, that the majority (59%) of those polled say they would even pay a little bit more for an energy efficient appliance.

Commenting on these new regulations and the polling data, our Public Affairs Chair Marylyn Haines Evan had this to say:
   
“Whether you’re turning your hand to a Victoria sponge or a Sunday roast, it’s reassuring to know that ovens and hobs are becoming more energy efficient, insulating you better from volatile energy prices while also cutting carbon emissions. No-body likes to waste energy, and in fact the survey shows that people want regulations that cut down on waste. Knowing what we do about the risks that climate change presents to the UK, it’s clear that better designed appliances are a boon both for householders now and for the world that our children will inhabit.”

The WI will continue to monitor any new developments, but until then Bon Appetit!

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Energy and Climate Information Unit 

WI Cookery School class

#WITimeToTalk

Guest blog by Janis Tunaley, Wellingore WI

Both my parents were organ donors - and one of them an organ recipient - and I wanted to share their stories in the hope that it would both reassure and encourage people to become donors.

My father, an engineer by profession, suffered sight problems in his early 30s.  Just one year after getting married, he was told he had corneal dystrophy, that the condition was genetic and that, not only would he go blind, but he should seriously consider not having children.  You can imagine the shattering impact this had on both him and my mother both in terms of his professional career and their hopes for family life.  Nevertheless, by dint of a great deal of research and much visiting of consultants, he was eventually seen by Benjamin Rycroft (later knighted for his expertise in eye surgery), who pioneered corneal graft operations.  This obviously depended on healthy corneas being donated when people passed away.  My father was given back his sight - in both eyes over some years - as a result.  Consequently, and unsurprisingly, both he and my mother were great advocates of organ donation.

When my mother passed away, she stipulated that she wanted her eyes donated - her contribution in gratitude for my father's sight.  This was done as she wished.  On the morning of her funeral we received a letter telling us that two people had benefited from her gift.  This was a wonderful thing to hear as we bid her farewell - and we know that her eyes are still looking out somewhere in this world!

My father had by this time been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.  As progress was made in treating this wicked disease, a "brain bank" was initiated in London.  Its purpose was to provide brains for research purposes to try and find both the cause and, consequently, a way of treating or even curing Parkinson's.  Both healthy and diseased brains were sought.  My father immediately signed up, stating that even though he could not be helped himself, he wanted, in some way, to help others - as he himself had been helped all those years ago.  When he passed away, his brain was harvested and it is of great comfort to both my sister and me that his wish was granted.  Both she and I are registered as brain donors.

For me, this was something I had been brought up with, but it's not always easy to tackle the subject with loved ones who are less familiar - and perhaps more than a little anxious - with the subject.  It took several conversations with my husband to achieve an understanding and real acceptance of why I wanted this to happen.  There is worry that donation will in some way diminish or damage the person who has passed away.  I can categorically state that this is in no way true.  I saw my mother before her funeral and she had been beautifully looked after - there was no way of knowing she had given her precious eyes.

Equally, I cannot describe in words the tremendous respect and gratitude that is given for the gift of vital organs.  The ability to give those gifts is a truly precious thing and something that everyone should consider.  I am so proud of both my parents for making the commitment to donate for the good of others and hope that when my time comes anything that is of any good at all will be equally well used.

For more information about the WI Time to Talk campaign, please see the WI website:
http://www.thewi.org.uk/campaigns/current-campaigns-and-initiatives/time-to-talk