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No cost ways to tackle cliamte change....Why they are doing things to help the climate.... Jess lives in Falmouth and already feels that we are seeing the effects of climate change in Cornwall. She has noticed that winters in Cornwall appear to be getting much wetter and stormier each year and that spring seems to come much earlier. She wants to help protect the Duchy by making sure that her own actions at home do not add unnecessary carbon emissions to the environment. Jess has noticed that temperatures have been steadily rising, particularly in recent decades. She is worried that if people like her do not start taking responsibility for their own emissions that the climate in Cornwall will get much worse. She feels that the weather we have had this spring has been particularly worrying and knows from the news that this April was the hottest since records began; she is concerned that these changes could have a big impact on the wildlife of Cornwall. What they are doing.... Jess is taking simple steps in her own home to reduce her energy use. She has had loft insulation and draught-proofing installed in her home to stop warm air escaping and she has recently started to change her behaviour to stop wasting energy. She is doing the following
Why it’s important….. The energy we use in our homes is responsible for over a quarter of all UK emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas causing climate change. Much of this energy comes from power stations that burn fossil fuels which create climate damaging emissions, and in particular carbon dioxide. So whenever we save energy in the home we can help to protect the climate because every tonne of carbon dioxide emissions we avoid reduces the threat of climate change. Presently, the average UK house is responsible for 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. However, simple steps can help to reduce this pollution and protect the climate (whilst saving you money on your fuel bills). The Energy Saving Trust says that an average home can save 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide by making homes energy efficient. Such steps will also save you around £300 a year on fuel bills. The steps Jess is taking at home do not cost her anything to do but can have a big impact in terms of saving energy, money and helping to tackle climate change. The Energy Saving Trust has produced an easy 10 point checklist which anyone can follow. She has also insulated her loft and installed draught proofing in her home to help reduce energy demand. Insulating the loft is one of the easiest ways to save energy (without it you could be losing up to a third of your heating costs) – click here for more information on loft insulation. Around 20% of heat in the home also escapes through draughts and poor ventilation on doors, windows, floors, etc, but this can easily and cheaply be stopped, click here for more information on draught proofing. Climate change will affect all aspects of our lives in Cornwall. The South West Climate Impacts Partnership suggests that amongst other things, we are likely to experience: hotter and drier summers; milder and We will all have to adapt to these changing conditions, but it is not as easy for much of our wildlife. A paper from Cornwall Wildlife Trust says that we are likely to see a change to in the species of animals and plants in Cornwall. This is because they are adapted to survive in the current climate conditions of Cornwall. As the climate changes, by becoming warmer, wetter or drier, they expect to see effects on both the species and the habitats we have in the Duchy. Further information.... To find out more about climate change, visit our understanding climate change pages. To find out more about the possible impacts of climate change in the South West visit the South West Climate Change Partnership website. Cornwall Energy Efficiency Advice Centre can help you use less energy at home. You can complete a simple survey of your home to identify what you could do and they can advise you on grants and offers that you could be entitled to for helping cover the cost of installing energy saving measures. You can speak to an advisor on 0800 512012 or email them on advice@cep.org.uk. If you prefer doing everything on the internet you can also complete your own DIY Home Energy Check, and the EEAC will send a report back to you with lots of hints and tips on ways to save energy and money. For more information on the Cornwall EEAC visit their website. For a simple ten point list of things you can do to help the climate and save energy visit the Energy Saving Trust website To find out more about the possible impacts of climate change on the plants and animals of Cornwall, visit the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website.Images courtesy of and copyright of EST
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OptionsThis StoryListen again to this story.... Related Stories4.Cornwall Energy Efficiency Advice Centre 12. Low cost home energy efficiency 17. Climate Change will affect us all Related LinksClimate Change 10 Simple Steps Climate change in the South West Home Energy Check Cornwall EEAC Cornwall Wildlife Trust
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simple, no cost things to help save energy:
wetter winters; and, an increase in stormy weather. Records also show that: