Researchers identify the top dozen ways to reduce your carbon footprint
Posted on 26 November 2007
The 12 actions are summarised in the free Carbon Footprint Calendar 2008 published today by Climate Talk, a year-long project aimed at raising awareness of climate change issues in the over 50s.
The free carbon footprint calendar...lists a different action each month, indicating how much carbon it can save and what percentage of your carbon footprint it reduces
Dr Gary Haq
The top tip, saving between 2.7 and 3.7 tonnes per year, is to use public transport rather than the car. This is followed by insulating the loft, giving a carbon saving of 1 tonne per year. However, the calendar identifies these as ‘Not so Easy’ actions, requiring some effort and cost.
Actions classified as ‘Easy’ — requiring little effort and cost — include putting clothes out to dry rather than using the tumble drier, a carbon saving of 268 kg per year. And simply switching off lights when they are not in use can save 239 kg per year.
Dr Gary Haq, of SEIY and co-ordinator of Climate Talk, says:"Information on how to reduce our carbon footprint can sometimes seem confusing or overwhelming. We can be put off by the level of effort these actions seem to require, and question whether they actually make any difference."
"The free carbon footprint calendar addresses all these problems. It lists a different action each month, indicating how much carbon it can save and what percentage of your carbon footprint it reduces, as well as the level of effort involved."
"In the UK, our carbon footprint is about 12 tonnes per person. More than 40 per cent of this comes directly from the choices we make every day. To reduce this, we should start with those that require little effort — such as switching off lights — and work up to the more challenging actions such as reducing air travel and car use."
The free calendar is available by contacting info@climatetalk.org.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- "Climate Talk" is funded by DEFRA’s Climate Change Challenge Fund. The project aims to raise awareness and understanding of climate change issues in the over 50s via public seminars, radio programmes and press articles and competitions.
- The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) is an international, independent environment and development research institute. It is a part of an international network of centres with the York centre based at the University of York.
- For further information see info@climatetalk.org.uk