The atrocities taking place in Ukraine have shocked the globe into action, with world leaders pledging increasingly strict sanctions and boycotts on Russian interests and assets.
One of the main areas targeted in Europe is the supply of Russian fossil fuels that have been making up around 45% of the EU’s gas imports.
The International Energy Agency executive director, Fatih Birol, said: “Nobody is under any illusions anymore. Russia ’s use of its natural gas resources as an economic and political weapon show Europe needs to act quickly to be ready to face considerable uncertainty over Russian gas supplies next winter.”
The UK has pledged to phase out Russian oil imports by 2023 and is working out the best way to do the same with gas, which currently makes up around 4% of the UK gas imports.
The UK government says that 70% of Russian oil is struggling to find a buyer already.
But despite the good intentions, households are facing a heightening cost of living crisis that is threatening to put more British homes on the breadline.
So what can you do to help the war effort despite the cost of living crisis?
What can you do to the war effort?
Get insulated
The Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) says that rather than trying to increase gas output from Britain's own North Sea deposits, one solution may be to cut away the 4% we get from Russia entirely.
One way to do this, the organisation says, would be to lift one million homes’ energy efficiency rating from band D to C per year.
This would reduce their gas reliance by 20% - similarly to the 2.3 million homes kitted out with loft and wall insulation in 2012.
Heat pumps
Using electric heat pumps to suck warmth into homes from outside could reduce gas consumption by 80% in well-insulated homes, the Guardian reports.
The government has currently set a target of 600,000 new gas pump installations a year by 2028.
A £5,000 grant is available from the government and the skyrocketing price of gas means that this option is increasingly competitive.
Turn down the heating
This one may feel like a sacrifice, but it could be a genuine means to weaken Russia’s influence, says the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The IEA says turning the thermostat down by a single degree could save around 10 billion cubic meters of gas - a hefty chunk of Russia to UK import total of 155 billion CM per year.
Colder washing cycles and shorter showers are also likely to make a difference.
Drive green
The IEA says that making changes to the way we drive can help save substantial amounts of fuel overall.
Driving below the speed limit, killing the engine at lights and accelerating gently are all valuable ways of reducing consumption.
Making sure your car isn’t overladen, having properly pumped up tyres and carpooling are all valuable means of keeping your vehicle running as efficiently as possible.
