1.-------------------------- Donnachach McCarthy takes environment issues very seriously. As an eco- auditor, he gives advice to people and companies on how to make their homes and offices more eco-friendly. As an author, he writes books that persuade leaders to have a greener lifestyle, and he is often a speaker on environmental issues at different conferences. 2.-------------------------- Yet, he doesn't believe words are enough: he would like to lead by example, this is why he returned his home in central London into a place where he can prove he lives by the green principles which he promotes. His Victorian house from the 1840s was equipped with different environmentally friendly devices to become first a zero- carbon house ( same amount of CO2 in and out) and later on carbon - negative (less CO2 out than in). 3.-------------------------- How is this possible? First of all, he is very careful to use alternative energy source like wind and sun wherever possible. Heating in the house is provided by a wood burner that is powered by waste wood near his house. Hot water comes from a solar water heating system from the roof and his toilet only uses rainwater. Water is not wasted in his home. While the average British household consumes 160 litres of tap water a day, he only uses 26 litres. 4.-------------------------- The same level of attention is given to household waste in his house. With thorough recycling he only needed one bin for the whole of last year and even this one bin was not full. 5.-------------------------- He does not misuse electricity either. Donnachach McCarthy does not buy any from outside sources because he generates his own 'green' electricity with the solar electric panels on his roof. In fact, he produces so much that the national system pays him for extra amount. 6.-------------------------- If we add up how much greenhouse gas we produce a year, we get out carbon footprint, which is measured in units of carbon dioxide (CO2). The carbon footprint of an average British household is 6,000 kg of CO2. In the case of Donnachach McCarthy's place this figure is minus 114 kg! Donnachach McCarthy said in an interview: 'if I can do it in an old terraced house in central London, there is nothing to stop people everywhere doing it in their own homes.' (2 Điểm) How to build a green house Throw it out - are you sure? Watch your step Providing a good model to follow A man of many talents You can give it a try! No bills to pay