* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download How can I shrink my carbon footprint
Economics of climate change mitigation wikipedia , lookup
Climate change denial wikipedia , lookup
Climate sensitivity wikipedia , lookup
ExxonMobil climate change controversy wikipedia , lookup
Climate change adaptation wikipedia , lookup
Global warming hiatus wikipedia , lookup
Global warming controversy wikipedia , lookup
Climate-friendly gardening wikipedia , lookup
General circulation model wikipedia , lookup
Fred Singer wikipedia , lookup
Economics of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Climate governance wikipedia , lookup
German Climate Action Plan 2050 wikipedia , lookup
Media coverage of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Effects of global warming on human health wikipedia , lookup
Climate engineering wikipedia , lookup
2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference wikipedia , lookup
Instrumental temperature record wikipedia , lookup
Climate change mitigation wikipedia , lookup
Climate change in Tuvalu wikipedia , lookup
Citizens' Climate Lobby wikipedia , lookup
Climate change and agriculture wikipedia , lookup
Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment wikipedia , lookup
Climate change in Australia wikipedia , lookup
Attribution of recent climate change wikipedia , lookup
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change wikipedia , lookup
Effects of global warming on humans wikipedia , lookup
Scientific opinion on climate change wikipedia , lookup
Low-carbon economy wikipedia , lookup
Global warming wikipedia , lookup
Public opinion on global warming wikipedia , lookup
Surveys of scientists' views on climate change wikipedia , lookup
Solar radiation management wikipedia , lookup
Climate change and poverty wikipedia , lookup
Climate change feedback wikipedia , lookup
Climate change, industry and society wikipedia , lookup
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme wikipedia , lookup
Politics of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Mitigation of global warming in Australia wikipedia , lookup
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