CO₂ and Climate Change

Scientist worldwide acknowledge the fact that increase in CO₂ and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are bringing the threat of global warming ever closer. It has been suggested that we are already seeing the evidence of its effects.

Even small increases in the planet's temperature will very likely result in drastic changes to our weather patterns, sea levels and ecosystems, with devastating consequences.

No one can say for sure that we are heading for a global disaster. However evidence suggests that unless something is done now, the environmental prospects for the future of our planet could be bleak.

Where is the CO₂ coming from?

CO₂ exists naturally in the atmosphere and is an essential part of the natural Carbon Cycle. The problem is the ever increasing ammounts of CO₂ being produced by the burning of fossil fuels for energy and deforestation of primary rainforests which "recycle" the CO₂.

In everyday life we all consume energy in some form, most of which is derived from fossil fuels. This energy use adds to the production CO₂ and other greenhouse gases, which ultimately affect climate change.

While industry is responsible for the largest quantity of CO₂ emissions, a third of all emissions can be attributed to private households and over half of transport emissions result from the use of private vehicles*.

*Source: Office of National Statistics

Reducing CO₂ - What can I do?

There are a number of straight forward ways to reduce the impact of CO₂ emissions in the fight against global warming.

1. Reduce CO₂ emissions
2. Use CO₂ neutral products and services
3. Offset CO₂ emissions

Reduce CO₂

• Use the car less.
• Buy local produce, this reduces the ammount of emissions produced by transporting goods.
• Use energy efficient appliances. ( "A" rated)
• Turn off electrical appliances instead of using standby.
• Drive more slowly - it uses less petrol

Use CO₂ neutral products and services

• Switch to a green energy tarrif - you can compare them here
• Choose flights which offer the option to carbon neutralise the journey

Offset CO₂ emissions

We produce CO₂ everyday of our lives, from watching TV to driving to work. Although most of us could reduce our energy consuption, it is simply not possible to live a completely 'carbon neutral' lifestyle. However, although not the answer in isolation, offsetting the CO₂ we do produce can go some way to helping protect the planet for future generations. CO₂ offsetting simply means calculating the quantity of CO₂ produced annually at home, in the car and travelling and purchasing the same quantity of carbon offsets, therby 'carbon neutralising' your lifestyle.

What are 'carbon offsets'?

Carbon offsets are generated when an activity reduces CO₂ in the atmosphere as in planting trees or plants which absorb CO₂ or when a process which conventionally produces CO₂ , such as electricity generation, is done in such a way as to reduce or eliminate the emission of CO₂. Carbon offsets are normally measured in tonnes of CO₂.

Example: If a forest fixes (absorbs) 100 tonnes of CO₂ and the emissions from managing the forest is 10 tonnes of CO₂ the carbon offset is 90 tonnes of CO₂.

These carbon offsets can then be traded to businesses or individuals to balance out the impact of their CO₂ emissions.

Example: Company A emits 500 tonnes of CO₂ in a year they can neutralise their impact on the climate by purchasing 500 tonnes of carbon offset.

Offsets are an essential part of an effective climate policy precisely because they can be implemented quickly and at a relatively low cost. Given the level of emissions reductions that must be achieved to stabilise the climate, the growing sense of urgency for immediate action, and the societal cost savings that offsets represent, offsets are an indispensable component to real climate change solutions.