Almost half of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, the main greenhouse gas which causes climate change, actually come from the things we do every day. What can you do to help?
Climate changes are natural phenomena that have been happening since the Earth was created approximately 4.6 billion years ago but recently there has been unprecedented warming.
We are already seeing the effects of climate change here in the UK. Winters are becoming milder, and rainfall patterns are shifting, making droughts and floods more common.
The UK Government’s goal on climate change is to stabilise the levels of greenhouse gases so that we avoid dangerous climate change, and to adapt to unavoidable climate change.
The UK Government and the EU consider that global warming must be limited to no more than 2°C temperature rise above pre-industrial times to avoid dangerous climate change. Crucial to achieving this goal is securing a global agreement to a realistic, robust, durable and fair framework for the post-2012 period, when the first set of targets under the Kyoto Protocol expires
The UK’s Climate Change Act creates one of the most radical national frameworks for action on climate change. It includes provision for a legally binding emissions reduction of 80% by 2050, 5 year rolling targets and the establishment of a new independent body to oversee progress.
Almost half of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, the main greenhouse gas which causes climate change, actually come from the things we do every day.
Things like leaving lights on unnecessarily or overfilling the kettle all waste energy and result in needless carbon dioxide emissions.
Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways of improving the energy efficiency of your home.
For example, insulating an uninsulated loft can save around £110 and just under one tonne of carbon dioxide a year.
Energy saving lightbulbs have always been a bright idea - for your pocket and the environment. They use up to 80% less electricity than a standard bulb, but produce the same amount of light.
If you are interested to see just how you can make a difference visit the Council’s energy efficiency web pages or try contacting the Energy Saving Trusts website or the Act On CO2 advice line on 0800 512012 – a one stop shop for free, tailored, impartial advice from the Energy Saving Trust on how to reduce your carbon footprint.
The largest single personal source of CO2 is associated with individual car travel (26.1% of individuals CO2 emissions come from car travel).
More than half of the car journeys made are for journeys under five miles. Can you think of any of these journeys that could be taken by other means?
Could you walk or cycle instead? Could you combine several journeys into one? Can you take public transport or maybe share a lift with family of friends?
If every driver reduced their driving by five miles a week, the UK could collectively save around 2.7 million tonnes of CO2 each year.
For more information visit the Act On CO2 website and see if you could drive 5 miles less a week.