Hey Abi, Susi,

Interesting experiment!

Mobile phone chargers -- yes, they do still draw electricity after you've unplugged your phone. But not very much (see halfway through this vid, http://tinyurl.com/4su5yy).

Interesting to hear you mention bags and recycling as big ways to cut your carbon footprint. Both are really miniscule contributions to your footprint -- the big stuff is heat/elec for your home, transport (esp flying) and food (+ general consumption).

Susi, have you tried any of the online carbon calculators? Would be interesting to know what your footprint is in kg. Mine usually comes in at between 5,000-7,000kg which is better than national average but far from saintly.

Posted by: Adam | October 13, 2008 2:27 PM

Ok, I've done a check and my footprint is 3.74 tonnes a year. It says the national average is 4.25 tonnes, so I'm feeling slightly less bad than I did... Having said that, they don't count business flights, which I suspect might increase my footprint significantly.

Posted by: Susi | October 13, 2008 4:04 PM

Hi Adam - your link there 404'd, but I did have a chat with a reliable science graduate who told me the same thing, i.e. that the amount of electricity drawn by a charger when not connected is really minute: he also pointed me towards this page here

Good point about the sort of life changes that actually make a difference: I'll be sure to grill my next victim on their household energy usage next time, as that is indeed a big deal!

Posted by: Abi | October 13, 2008 4:43 PM