Singletons – Irelands Biggest Pollutants

On the outside Irish Singletons seem like a passionate bunch of environmentalists, they don’t own cars and are rigorous about their recycling but a recent study by Trinity College has found that people living on their own produce 37% more carbon emisssions than couples and 59% more than those living in threes (no not trees!!).

The main reason for their high carbon emissions comes from air travel with single and two person households travelling the most, releasing on average 1.7 and 2.2 tonnes per person each year respectively, compared with the survey average of 1.2.

The study which was carried out by Nick Gray, a professor in Trinity’s school of natural sciences and student Tricia Kenny, found that overall people will have to get used to consuming up to 30% less energy. This means being more economical, implementing the 3 R’s, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and cutting down our air travel.