Energy Neighbourhoods has four Climate Challenges to help understand the simple changes we can make that will significantly reduce CO2 emmissions. These are not just about CO2, but localism, health and saving money. The modern society that we live in is driven in part by the driven by the urges to buy products, spend money and in general be a good consumer. We all need to re-assess the profit making drivers behind these behaviours and take control of our lives.

Each challenge comprises of a series of tasks that encourage low impact behaviour, and when you have tried these tasks we'd like you to share your experience by writing a short blog post on what you did and how you did it. Each month there will be a winning entry selected for a prize of €100. Also if you want to tell us about your experiences of one or more of the challenges please do. The four Climate Challenges are listed below and please remember that stories of both your successes and failures are welcome:

1. A Climate friendly Christmas: Christmas is always a time for increased consumption. A climate friendly christmas challenges you to decorate your house in a climate friendly manner, choose local, artisan gifts and use energy and water in a sustainable manner. Click here for more
    

2. Invest for the future: Consider the long term impact when purchasing an appliance. Ensure what ever you buy doesn't lock you into long term energy costs. A typical freezer might use 1/2 it's purchase price in a year in electricity costs. If it lasts 20 years, then the electictiy is 90% of the ownership costs.  Click her for more.                                                                                  
    

3. Cook and eating: How to change your eating habits to support a healthier, local and sustainable diet. Tipperary is one of the best places in the world for growing food and buying local food, yet we import a huge amount of food from around the world. New Zealand lamb? South American potatoes? Apples from Chile? Guarantee its local, Irish and creating jobs.  Click her for more.

4. The Transport Challenge: Understand your energy use in getting around - plan a car free day a week, increase your use of walking, cycling and public transport and reduce your holiday emmissions. Many Tipperary residents are choosing to car pool, use public transport, walk and cycle. Click her for more.