Earth Day - Air Pollution and Climate Change

Earth Day 2025

On Tuesday 22 April 2025, we show our support for Earth Day, which started in 1970. Earth Day is when people everywhere show they care about protecting our planet.

This year's theme is ‘Our Power, Our Planet', focussing on increasing the generation of clean electricity by 2030. This is done by installing renewable energy for our buildings, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Why is renewable energy a solution?

Traditional energy is made by burning fuel such as gas, oil, and coal. This releases a large amount of smoke and pollutants which affect air quality, and carbon dioxide which is one of the biggest causes of climate change. To help the environment, we must reduce the amount of traditional fuels we burn.

Renewable energy is made from sources that don’t run out when used such as the Sun, wind or waves. Energy made like this does not produce smoke or pollutants, so it is better for the planet. While it does take energy to make the solar panels and wind turbines, this is repaid many times over during the life of the equipment. Use of renewable energy also provides a more secure source of energy, where prices aren’t so dependent on global issues

It’s also important to remember that the best way to protect the environment from harm caused by energy use is to avoid using energy in the first place! Reducing our energy use means we burn less fossil fuels and save money on our bills at the same time.

What has Sandwell Council done?

At our main office building at Sandwell Council House, we’ve installed solar PV panels which will help us cut our electricity use. These work alongside our heat pumps which mean we can heat the building using renewable energy and much more efficiently than with gas boilers.

We’ve also installed solar panels at our leisure centres as well as at a number of schools and libraries. In addition to this, we have completed a number of other projects to reduce our energy use including, LED lighting, electric vehicle charge points and improvements to our heating controls and IT systems. All of these have helped Council reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by over 35% in the last 6 years.

What can you do?

We can all save energy to help the planet and save a few pounds. Here we’ve listed 5 things you can do:

Check if you’re eligible for existing energy schemes – there are schemes which could cover some of the cost of your energy bills, make your home more energy efficient, or install renewable technologies. Check here for the latest financial information.
Get free energy advice – we are partnered with two energy advice organisations which will support you for free, ‘Act On Energy’ and ‘LEAP’, more information can be found on our energy page.
Reduce home heat loss – insulation can be installed in the roof, walls or floors to keep you warmer, and there are cheap ways to get rid of draughts though windows and doors, more information here.
Buy energy efficient products – look for the energy rating sticker on TVs, fridges, ovens and other big products and aim to buy the one with the highest energy efficiency rating (‘A’ is the best). More information here.
Consider installing renewable energy – perhaps you’re interested in installing your own solar panels? There is a big upfront cost but they will save money on your energy bills in the long run, read a story of someone who took the plunge. If you're interested in solar panels, check out the Solar Together scheme and register your interest before 6 June 2025.