climate change and you · global issues local action nyr 1 climate change and you check out the...

Global Issues Local Action

NYR 1

Climate Change and You

www.northern.ac.uk/aboutus/project Check out the blog by visiting www.gilanorthern.wordpress.com

Tackling climate change is one of the biggest challenges that this generation

faces and one we can all dosomething about


NYR 2

New Year’s ResolutionsClimate Change


What is Climate Change?The first step to tackling climate change is to understand exactly what it is.The climate is not static; over the millions of years of earth’s existence, it has changed many times in response to natural causes.When people talk about 'climate change' today, however, they mean the changes in temperature over the last 100 years. During this time, the average temperature of the atmosphere near the earth’s surface has risen by 0.74 degrees Celsius.Most scientists agree that global temperatures will rise further – by how much depends on future emissions of greenhouse gases. If the temperature rise is high, changes are likely to be soextreme that it will be difficult to cope with them. There are likely to be more intense and frequent extreme weather events, like floods and hurricanes, and sea levels could rise further.


NYR 3

Causes of Climate Change


Natural Causes or Human ActivityThe world’s climate varies naturally as a result of the way the ocean and the atmosphere interact, changes in the Earth’s orbit and changes in energy received from the sun and volcanic eruptions.However, there is now overwhelming evidence that significant global warming cannot beexplained by these factors alone. The changes seen over recent years, and being predicted for the next 80 years, are mainly down to human behaviour.

The Greenhouse EffectThe Earth is surrounded by a layer of gases whih act like the glass walls of a greenhouse,allowing the sun’s rays to enter but stopping much of the heat from escaping. This is a naturalprocess and these ‘greenhouse gases’ (mainly carbon dioxide and water vapour) keep the planet warm enough to sustain life.However, humans are causing more ‘greenhouse gases’ to be released into the atmosphere, trapping more heat and the climate then begins to change unnaturally. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is now higher than at any point in the past 650,000 years.

How is Human Activity Increasing ‘Greenhouse Gases’ ?The 3 main ways are:1. Burning fossil fuels - Using fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas to generate heat or power transport releases ‘greenhouse gases’. In 2005, burning fossil fuels emitted 27 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.

2. Deforestation - Trees absorb carbon dioxide, so with fewer trees more carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere. In total, 80% of the worlds forest has been cleared or compromised by human development.

3. Growing population - A growing population is leading to increased demand for food, livestock and energy which is in turn leading to an increase in emissions.


NYR 4

Effects of Climate Change


Rising TemperaturesOver the past century, the average temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface has risen by 0.74 degrees Celsius. Twelve of the fifteen hottest years on record occurred between 1995 and 2008, and the scientific consensus is that global temperatures could rise by as much as 6.4 degrees above 1980-1999 levels by the end of the 21st century.

Changing Sea LevelsGlobally the sea level could rise by up to 59cm by the end of the century. This would swamp some low-lying island states and put millions of people in all low-lying areas at risk of flooding. The ice loss in Antarctica has increased by 75% over the last 10 years and the sea level around the UK has risen by 10cm since 1900.

Extreme WeatherExtreme weather events around the globe, such as floods, droughts and tropical storms, arebecoming more frequent and dangerous. In the UK, the amount of rainfall has risen significantly (with a 36% increase in “extreme” precipitation compared to 1920). Flood damage costs Britain over £1 billion per year.

Plants and AnimalsFurther changes in rainfall and temperature will mean some species being unable to adapt quickly enough and habitats may not be available for them to move into. Over 30% of all land livingspecies will be threatened by extinction if the global temperature rises by just a further 2 degrees.

Food and WaterAs temperatures increase and rainfall patterns change, crop yields are expected to dropsignificantly in Africa, the Middle East and India. Droughts are likely to be much more frequent and up to three billion people could suffer increased water shortages by 2080. It is also possible that salt from rising sea levels could contaminate underground fresh water supplies in coastal areas.


NYR 5

Effects of Climate Change


Disease and DeathWith rising temperatures, diseases transmitted through water and via vectors such as mosquitoes, like malaria, west Nile disease, dengue fever and river blindness will increase and also shift to different areas. Diarrhoea, malaria and malnutrition alone caused more than 3.3 million deaths in 2002. It is predicted that 290 million additional people could be exposed to malaria alone by 2080. Extremes of heat can also increase the risks of heart and respiratory diseases. Abnormally high temperatures in Europe in summer 2003 were associated with over 35,000 more deaths than the equivalent period in previous years.Over 1 million people have died as a result of weather related natural disasters since 1990,including:- Approximately 450,000 deaths as a result of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in December 2004- 10,000 deaths as the result of a cyclone in Orissa, India in October 1999- Approximately 30,000 deaths following floods near Caracas, Venezuela in December 1999- An estimated 2,800 deaths as a result of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf coast of the USA in August 2005

RainforestsLarge areas of Brazilian and central African rainforest could be lost as a result of extreme rainfall in these areas. This would be on top of the forest already being cut down to clear land foragriculture and industry.

The Cost of Climate ChangeThe Association of British Insurers estimates that UK households will pay up to four percent extra each year due to extreme weather events. It is reported that not taking action could cost between five and twenty percent of global GDP every year. In comparison, reducing emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change would cost around one percent of global GDP each year.


NYR 6

New Year’s ResolutionsClimate Change - What Can I Do?


Start At HomeSaving energy at home is one of the most important things you can do to fight climate change and can also save you money.Insulate your home - nearly half of the heat in a typical home is lost through the walls and roof. Most UK homes don't have the recommended amount of insulation, so think about insulating both your loft and your cavity walls.

Turn appliances off standby - the average household wastes £30 a year simply by leavingappliances on standby. Remember:-- you can't switch most electronic goods off just with the remote control- to turn off an appliance completely, use the power switch on the appliance itself or turn it off at the plug- if a charger or power pack is warm or has a light on, it's probably using power.

Buy Energy Efficient Appliances - energy efficient appliances are easy to find and aren’tnecessarily more expensive. Look out for appliances that carry the labels below to save money and energy:Energy Saving Recommended labelAppliances showing the Energy Saving Recommended label are among the top 20 per cent most efficient available.European Union energy labelEU energy labels on fridges, freezers and washing machines show how energy efficient anappliance is on a scale of A to G. A is most efficient and G is least efficient.

Make your heating more efficientYou can reduce the energy your existing boiler consumes by up to 40 per cent with an efficient thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves.Replacing a 10 year old boiler with an efficient new one could reduce your energy consumption by a third.


NYR 7



Simple Energy Saving TipsIn the kitchen- boil a kettle with only as much water as you need- cover pots and pans when cooking – they will boil a lot quicker- match the size of the cooking ring to the size of the saucepan to avoid heating air- cook several different foods on one ring with a steamer- there's emerging research that using a microwave rather than a conventional oven to heat up a small amount of food may save energy- defrost your fridge and freezer regularly and avoid putting hot food in the freezer- try not to leave your fridge door open, as it takes energy to cool down again

Washing clothes- washing clothes at 30 degrees can be just as effective for a normally soiled load- run your washing machine or dishwasher with full loads- avoid tumble drying – dry clothes outdoors or on indoor dryers when possible to save money and energy

Heating and hot water- turning your central heating down by one degree could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent- turn down your immersion heater temperature by one degree – you'll save energy and you're unlikely to notice the difference

Lighting- use energy efficient light bulbs – if every UK home installed three of them, it would save enough energy to power all the UK's street lights- try to remember to switch the lights off every time you leave a room


NYR 8



Greener Travel ChoicesPersonal travel causes around a quarter of all the damage individuals do to the environment and most of this is from cars.Choose fuel saving cars - If you’re buying a new car, use the fuel economy label to choose one that will use less fuel. The more fuel efficient your car, the less tax you pay.

Drive less - Use your car less for short trips. Walking, cycling, or taking the bus will help reduce local air pollution and carbon emissions. Walking and cycling can also help keep you fit.

Fly less and offset CO2 emissions - Think about how you could get what you need without flying. For example, try holidaying closer to home and travelling by rail or sea. If you have to fly, think about offsetting your CO2 emissions. This means paying money to projects that reduce CO2 emissions in other ways, like setting up renewable energy projects.

Greener Shopping ChoicesHere are some ways to help the environment when you shop.Green labels - Use labels to choose items that cause less damage to the environment -for example, energy efficient fridges and cars, responsibly caught fish and peat-free compost.

Ask for greener choices - If you can’t find what you want, or need more information about greener choices, ask in shops. The more people ask, the more shops will think about stocking greener choices.


NYR 9



Greener Food ChoicesFood counts for nearly a third of most people’s effect on climate change.Waste less food - The average UK household spends £420 a year on food that could have been eaten but is thrown away. Wasting food wastes all the energy needed to make it. Visit the ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ website for recipes and tips to help you waste less food and save money.

Buy climate friendly foods - The following tips can help you choose food with a lower carbon footprint:- meat and dairy foods have a much bigger effect on climate change and the environment than most grains, pulses, fruit and vegetables- buying fresh and unprocessed foods can mean fewer carbon emissions, because processing food and freezing or refrigerating it uses a lot of energy- buying food grown outdoors in season can help reduce CO2 emissions, because it doesn’t need heated greenhouses

Recycle and Waste LessReusing and recycling instead of throwing items away will mean less waste and less energy needed to make new items.Reuse and repair - Avoid waste in the first place, by reusing, upgrading and repairing. Try saving money by upgrading computers and hanging on to mobile phones, rather than replacing them. Avoid disposable items and pass things on when you’ve finished with them.Recycle more - nearly two thirds of all household rubbish can be recycled and most councils run doorstep recycling collections for paper, glass and plastics. Waste and recycling centres often accept many other things, from wood to textiles and TVs.Get composting - Composting food waste can help reduce emissions that cause climate change. Many local councils offer reduced price compost bins and some collect kitchen and garden waste from your home.


NYR 10

Climate ChangeKyoto and Copenhagen


The Kyoto ProtocolThe Kyoto Protocol was signed in December 1997 and set to expire in 2012. Countries who signed up to Kyoto agreed to stabilise and reduce greenhouse gases though major countries such as the United States, China and India did not sign the agreement.European Union countries were given their own targets through Kyoto, and the UK committed to reduce its emissions by 12.5 per cent on 1990 levels.The UK is on track to meet, and improve on, its Kyoto target. In 2010, the UK’s emissions arepredicted to be around 11 per cent lower than the levels required by Kyoto.The government also has long-term plans to lower CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions even further. The Climate Change Act includes legally binding targets, including an 80 per cent cut in greenhouse gases by 2050.

Aims of CopenhagenThe aim of the Copenhagen conference was to reach global agreement on deep cuts ingreenhouse gas emissions. There were many subsidiary issues surrounding this such as who should pay for these cuts and how they could be achieved.An agreement at Copenhagen would succeed the Kyoto Protocol and its primary objective was to get all the major countries of the world to agree to a legally binding set of commitments.


NYR 11

Climate ChangeCopenhagen: The Controversy


Developing Nations Stage WalkoutTalks were delayed for 5 hours on 14th December, after developing countries staged a walkout, in protest over a lack of progress on their key demand for legally binding emissions targets from rich nations.Developing countries wanted to maintain the Kyoto Protocol as it is the only legal instrument which requires rich countries to make emission cuts. They feared it would be replaced by a weaker agreement under which rich countries would make voluntary pledges on emissions but not be held to account for failing to meet them.Alternatively the US, the European Union, Japan and Russia (amongst other developed countries) argued that the Kyoto Protocol needed to be revised as it does not place any obligation ondeveloping countries to cut their emissions.The walkout was led by African countries, with the support of the G77 group of developingcountries.

Quotes“ Africa has pulled the emergency cord to avoid a train crash at the end of the week (when major world leaders would be addressing the summit). It is about whether rich countries are ready to guarantee action on climate change and the survival of people in Africa and across the world.”

Jeremy Hobbs (Executive Director of Oxfam International)

“The African countries’ protest highlights the dirty tactics of rich countries who are trying to stitch up negotiations to their benefit. We support the African countries’ demands that rich countries must commit to binding targets to cut their emissions by at least 40% by 2020.”

Andy Atkins (Executive Director of Friends Of The Earth)


NYR 12

Climate ChangeCopenhagen: The Outcome


What Happened?A US led initiative (along with China, India, Brazil and South Africa), called the Copenhagen Accord, formed the centre-piece of a deal. There was no legally binding agreement and the accord was merely recognised rather than approved by the 193 countries who took part. Thegeneral consensus (particularly amongst developing countries and climate activists) was that the summit failed to meet its objectives.

The Copenhagen AccordThe international climate conference in Copenhagen ran from 7 to 18 December 2009.

The Accord includes:- international backing for an overall limit of two degrees on global warming- agreement that all countries need to take action on climate change- financial help for the countries most at risk from climate change: $30 billion or £19 billion over the next three years, rising to US$100 billion (£61 billion) a year by 2020.

For the first time, the new Copenhagen Accord will also list what each country is doing to tackle climate change. This includes:- economy-wide commitments to cut emissions by developed countries, and actions taken by developing countries- introducing real scrutiny and transparency to ensure emissions targets are put into effect; countries must report on this every two years

As the conference closed, the participant countries said they were working to convert theCopenhagen Accord into a legally binding agreement as soon as possible. Countries that signed the Accord now have until 31 January 2010 to enter their planned emissions cuts in the formal register.


NYR 13

Climate ChangeThe Bolivian Alternative


Bolivia Calls Alternative World Climate MeetingBolivian president Evo Morales is inviting activists, scientists and government officials from around the world to an alternative climate change conference following the failure of the summit in Copenhagen.The Peoples’ World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth’s Rights will be held from 20th to 22nd April 2010 in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

ObjectivesThe objectives of the conference include.

- analyzing the causes that drive climate change and proposing measures to ensure the well-being of all humanity in harmony with nature- agreement on a Universal Declaration of Mother Earth Rights- agreement on proposals for new commitments to the Kyoto Protocol- working on the organization of the Peoples’ World Referendum on Climate Change- develop an action plan to establish a Climate Justice Tribunal- define strategies for action and mobilization to defend life from Climate Change and to defend Mother Earth’s Rights


NYR 14

Commit *Act *DemandWe CAN Fight Climate Change


Learn more about the facts at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/guide/keyfacts/

Find out what easy steps we all can take by visitingwww.whatyoucando.co.uk

Register with the Energy Saving Trust and get advice by telephoning 0800 512 012

Calculate your carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it by visitingwww.carbonfootprint.com

Plan and take action with a group or on your own

Keep track of what the UK government is doing by visitinghttp://www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk/en/

Write to your MP about climate change

Support the college sustainability policy

CONTRIBUTE TO THE DISPLAYWrite a poem, draw a picture or make a statement

Put your writing and other suggestions in the box and we willtry to integrate them into the display

These 3 day residential courses are for volunteers, community groups, local leaders and individuals involved in community action. The courses include:

- Practical learning with case studies, debates, games, videos, internet, visiting speakers- Developing media skills: interviews, press releases, blogs- Action planning: for carrying out local campaigns after the course

Global IssuesLocal Action


* Insulate your home

* Turn electrical appliances off fully - not on standby

* Buy energy efficient appliances and heating systems

* Common sense in the kitchen eg only boil as much water asis needed, cook different foods on one ring with a steamer etc

* Run washing machines only with full loads AND at 30 degrees

* Turn your heating and immersion down by just one degree

* Choose fuel saving cars and drive less. As well as helpingthe environment, cycling and walking is good exercise

* Fly less. Perhaps offset flying, when necessary, by donating toprojects that help reduce carbon dioxide emissions

* Look for green label products when shopping eg responsiblycaught fish, peat free compost etc

* Waste less food therefore not wasting the energy needed toproduce and deliver it to your plate

* Buy climate friendly foods ie food with a smallercarbon footprint

* Recycle, reuse and repair wherever possible


These 3 day residential courses are for volunteers, community groups, local leaders and individuals involved in community action. The courses include:

- Practical learning with case studies, debates, games, videos, internet, visiting speakers- Developing media skills: interviews, press releases, blogs- Action planning: for carrying out local campaigns after the course

Global IssuesLocal Action

Commit *Act *DemandWe CAN Fight Climate Change

Learn more about the facts at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/guide/keyfacts/

Find out what easy steps we all can take by visiting

www.whatyoucando.co.uk

Register with the Energy Saving Trust and get advice by telephoning 0800 512 012

Calculate your carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it by visitingwww.carbonfootprint.com

Plan and take action with a group or on your own

Keep track of what the UK government is doing by visitinghttp://www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk/en/

Write to your MP about climate change

Support the college sustainability policy

CONTRIBUTE TO THE DISPLAYWrite a poem, draw a picture or make a statement

Put your writing and other suggestions in the box and we willtry to integrate them into the display


climate change and you · global issues local action nyr 1 climate change and you check out the...

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