Download How can I shrink my carbon footprint

BOSTON
borough council
...a great past, an exciting future
How can I shrink my
Carbon Footprint?
Fight Climate Change
.... act now
What does climate change mean for Boston in 2080?
Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing us today. The
average temperature of the Earth is on the rise, which is starting
to affect the natural world around us. In the 100 years to 2005,
global temperatures increased at an unprecedented rate by 0.74OC.
Natural variations, such as volcanic eruptions, and phenomena like
El Niňo, can lead to periods with little or no warming, both globally
and regionally. However, there is an underlying trend of warming that
most climate scientists agree is largely caused by human activity.
Temperatures are rising because of the build-up of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere, mostly from the burning of fossil fuels
(coal, oil and gas), and because deforestation has reduced the ability
of the Earth to absorb these gases. These gases are changing the
make up of our atmosphere and trapping the sun’s heat. The main
greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), produced when we burn
fossil fuels, but there are some other less well-known gases, such as
methane and nitrous oxide, that contribute to climate change too.
What does climate change mean for Boston in 2080?
Summers are expected to be hotter by 3.5OC and have 20% less
rainfall, while winters are expected to be warmer by 3OC and
have 19% more rainfall (source: UKCIP 09). The Wash Shoreline
Management Plan estimates that sea levels will rise by 68 cm above
1990 levels.
So what?
Warmer temperatures mean more extreme weather, like severe
storms and winds, and more hot dry spells, leading to droughts,
lower crop yields, stress on wildlife, wildfires, and more pests. Food
poisoning incidents, cases of skin cancer and cataracts and extreme
heatwaves are also expected to increase. The extreme heatwave of
2003 led to more than 2000 additional deaths in the UK. Such hot
summers could happen much more frequently by the 2050s.
It’s not just about the weather though: warmer seas and melting ice
are causing sea levels to rise, placing more coastal communities at
risk of flooding, including Boston.
On the positive side there will be fewer winter deaths in the UK,
more opportunities to grow new crops and greater potential to
promote tourism in some areas. But overall the cost is likely to far
outweigh any benefits.
Can we stop climate change?
Most scientists agree that there is still time to curb the most
dangerous impacts of climate change, but to do so we must achieve
significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in the next 5 to 10
years to limit global temperature rise to no more than 2OC.
We must also ‘climate proof’ our local infrastructure and services
because our past behaviour means greenhouse gases have
accumulated in the atmosphere and will not peak for many decades.
Adaptation tackles the unavoidable effects of climate change, for
example, by investing in flood resilient buildings and new water
storage and distribution schemes.
What can I do about it and will I have to make a lot of
sacrifices?
Over 40% of the UK’s man-made CO2 emissions come from energy
we use everyday, at home and when we travel. We don’t have to
give up the way we live, but we have to learn to live smarter and
reduce our footprint on our planet. Many of these small changes
also save money.
The best thing we can do is to use less energy from fossil fuels,
therefore releasing less greenhouse gas. Bad habits, such as
leaving the lights on or over-filling the kettle, cause needless
emissions and result in the average person in the UK creating
around 10 tonnes of CO2 a year.
In addition, we can start using renewable energy sources, like wind,
water and the sun, which emit no greenhouse gas.
Reducing your carbon footprint involves simple steps and this leaflet
gives you our top10 tips on what you can do:Always buy energy-efficient electrical products - look out for the ‘energy
saving recommended’ logo
Air dry your clothes rather than tumble dry them
Take holidays close to home or reduce the number of flights you take
Replace your old boiler with an energy efficient condensing boiler
Grow your own fruit and vegetables or buy local produce in order to
reduce ‘ food miles’
Reduce or recycle your waste to minimise the amount going to landfill
Save water by investing in rainwater harvesting equipment for your
garden
Walk, cycle, car share or take the bus or train instead of using your car
Top up your loft insulation and invest in cavity wall insulation
Turn down your thermostat by 1OC and save around 10% on your
annual heating bill
freedigitalphotos.net
If you want to find out more go to actonco2.direct.gov.uk,
energysavingtrust.org.uk or www.worldlandtrust.org (to help save
rainforest).
Remember:
reducing energy use > keeps down emissions > keeps down
global temperatures
Contact us
Customer relations manager
Boston Borough Council
Municipal Buildings
West Street
BOSTON
Lincolnshire
PE21 8QR
:
Fax:
:
:
(01205) 314200
(01205) 364604
[email protected]
www.boston.gov.uk
Other formats
We can provide this information in other languages
and formats for example, in large print, in Braille,
CD or on audio cassette.
Please phone 01205 314200.
BBCL30 26/04/10