The question we all ask ourselves when confronted with the enormity of the climate change challenge, is 'what can I do'? If we don't have clear ideas about this, then we can become paralysed into inaction. However, there are MANY ways in which we can contribute to a better future, which will benefit ourselves and others in equal measure. This article has TEN suggestions for things we can all do... Any comments or contributions welcome. Please contact jane.pendlenton@googlemail.com or jo.hamilton@ouce.ox.ac.uk

What Can I DO? Top 10 Suggestions for action to help combat climate change

 

1. Count your carbs

 Calculate your Carbon Footprint... National Average 4.47 tonnes CO2/ year (Source: Defra)

Your carbon footprint is basically a calculation of all the energy you use over a defined period of time, made up from all your 'energy outgoings' added together. So for example, you can add together the energy you use in your home, for travel, and through the things you buy, and from this calculate the total amount of energy you use over a set period. Depending on the type of energy, this will produce a certain amount of greenhouse gases per unit of energy- we can multiply your total amount of energy by this 'conversion factor' to arrive at your figure for carbon emissions.

Find out your carbon footprint with a carbon calculator - try the new DEFRA one here TRIED, RECOMMENDED; Comments (J Pendlenton): this is a comprehensive calculator and very usefully breaks down your footprint between Home, Appliances, and Travel. It allows you to see how your emissions from each of these areas compare with the national average, and gives detailed suggestions for ways to reduce your totals. SUGGESTION: take a moment to search out your gas and electricity bills before you begin, and look to see what kind of gas boiler (if any) you have.

Calculate your Ecological Footprint.. National Average 3 Planets (Source: WWF)

Another way of understanding our environmental impact is to look at our 'ecological footprint'. This gives us an indication of how much land we would need, as an individual, to sustain our lifestyle, taking into account the energy we use, the food we eat, the way we travel, how we entertain ourselves and so on. We can then work out how many PLANET EARTHS would be needed to sustain us, based on the population of the world and everyones equal rights to the same amounts of resources. The average UK citizen would need 3 PLANET EARTHS to sustain their current lifestyle! Obviously this is unsustainable, and unfair. How many planets do you need? To calculate this, try the new ecological footprint calculator from the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF): see http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ TRIED & RECOMMENDED! Comments: This is very clear and easy to use. It breaks down your impact between different areas of your life- home, 'stuff', travel etc. You can sign up for tips on how to reduce your impact.

NOTE: when using different calculators, you will inevitably find that your total footprint differs. This is because each calculator will use different starting assumptions. It is best to stick with one calculator if you are concerned with measuring your progress- it is the reduction that matters!

As part of addressing and choosing a smaller shoe size for your footprint, Numbers 2-5 will help...

2. Cut your domestic energy waste- address the basics - kettles, water heating, light bulbs...

Go on a treasure hunt of sorts around your home and make a list of every single device or instrument that uses energy..whether it be gas or electricity, coal or wood.. or even wind! Then have a think about how each of these things could use less energy...this is a simple way of making progress! To encourage yourself, you could start to read your electricity meters weekly and watch to see how your behaviour makes a difference. You can also borrow a plug-in energy monitor from ClimateX to find out exactly how much energy each device uses- find out more here.

Fridges and freezers are among the most energy intensive devices we use in our homes. Some simple tips for reducing their energy use:

• Use them efficiently and avoid overloading. Every item placed in a fridge takes energy to be cooled down. Clear out your fridge and use it as little as possible! Do not store items that can be stored elsewhere in a cool dark place.
• Never put hot food in the fridge- allow it to cool down first.
• Defrost regularly.
• If your fridge or freezer is over 12 years old, it may be worth while replacing it with a more energy efficient model. An energy efficient appliance can use up to 60% less energy than an old one. This can save you £45 a year for a freezer, and £20 a year for a fridge. Obviously you may be better off keeping your fridge/freezer until it stops working, but when you do buy a new one, remember to make sure it is as energy efficient as possible. Some recommendations are given here by the Energy Savings Trust.

All electrical devices use energy when they are plugged in. Practice switching-off exercises for suppleness, which involve bending down behind the TV/CD Player/Electric Alarm Clock and turning switches off at the wall!! Also notice other switches which can be turned off- the oven and washing machine for example. You can save around £40 a year simply by making your home free of electrical input wherever possible.

When light bulbs need replacing, make sure you are ready with an energy efficient bulb. These use only 20-35% of the energy used by conventional bulbs, and last up to 10 times longer. RECOMMENDED (J Pendlenton): Efficient Light (see their Website) is a small UK company that stock a very wide range of efficient light bulbs, with all sorts of different fittings, shapes and sizes. They can be ordered by mail with a £6.50 delivery charge, so you may want to order for multiple lamps or share with a neighbour. They stock the latest range, most of which have no 'delay time' in lighting- full details are given for all the bulbs though. It's worth noting though that none of the bulbs can be used with dimmer switches- this must be the next development to come!  ALSO RECOMMENDED Read all about the different kinds of bulbs available, and how much lighting contributes to our ecological footprint on the climateX site here.

Buy less, mend more, embrace a simpler lifestyle by choice. You can save a lor of energy by using goods, including clothes, for the whole of their natural lifetime. Buy second-hand where possible, or simply don't buy at all!

3. Travel differently

As a start, see 'How to Travel in Oxfordshire' on this site. 

Here are some further tips on how to dramatically reduce your footprint from travel:

If you drive, consider reducing your speed. Most cars are most efficient at around 50-60 mph. You can save a third of your fuel if you drive at 50mph rather than 70mph! The journey will take a bit longer, but the environmental and financial benefits are surely worthwhile. Other benefits which are equally important are a reduction in accidents, and a reduction in noise pollution. We can all imagine a more peaceful environment that is not spolied by the sound of cars. Also try to drive more smoothly, and make sure you are not transporting unnecessary weight. Read these other tips from advanced motorists in Sheffield!

Avoid Flying... wherever possible. Travelling by train uses around a third of the energy (and therefore creates around a third of the emissions) of a plane. The growth in air transport also creates great pressure for expansion of infrastructure which impacts wildlife and biodiversity and peaceful green space. ESPECIALLY RECOMMENDED: The Man in Seat Sixty One will tell you how to travel throughout Europe and indeed throughout the world, by train and boat. An Example: it is generally assumed nowadays that a trip to continental Europe must involve a cheap, short-haul flight. However, it is possible to plan a characterful and interesting journey at a reasonable cost to just about anywhere in Europe. As an example, it is possible to get the train from London to Venice in under 20 hours, at a cost of £111 return. This allows you to stop off for a Parisien cafe before catching an overnight sleeper and watching the countryside change before you as you travel through the French countryside and enter Italy, arriving in Venice at 0930h. See this particular journey, and look at other exciting possibilities- including Oxford-Dublin for £52 return.

Use public transport wherever possible. It is often cheaper than travelling by car, and provides a wealth of opportunities to meet people, to sit and read, sit and knit, stare out of the window...A useful journey planner covering the whole of the UK is found at TransportDirect, for the South East try Travel Line or ring 0871 200 22 33. See How to Travel in Oxfordshire for more suggestions. 

4. Make your energy go further

Eco- renovation: insulation and energy efficiency: more to follow- for inspiration start here:http://www.sageoxford.org.uk/ecohouse.htm

Oxfordshire based charity Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN) have set up a site specially for those who have already renovated their home for a better ecological impact, or for those who would like to. It contains 'real life' examples of the problems home-owners have worked through, with fourteen case studies with house from many different architectural periods. It offers you a chance to share your experience and help others. Visit the Ecovation site: http://ecovation.org.uk/ RECOMMENDED

5. Change the type of energy you use

Bolt ons - think about wind / solar water / PV - see our organisations list for businesses locally. More to follow...

Green Electricity- read about green electricity here in a presentation by Ebico, the fair-trade energy company based in Oxford.

To magnify and multiply your efforts, it is necessary to work with others, and to share the message.....Numbers 6-8 can help

6. Scale it up

Tell your friends, workplace, lightbulb library, car sharing, energy reduction clubs.... look at the ClimateXPlorers pages for more inspiration!

7. Use your voice

Increase your citizen footprint! - organise a talk  /screening / meeting - become a climate explorer, or join a group...Get in touch if ClimateXChange can help you do this.

8. Get your community to try and become a low carb / transition parish/ town..

http://www.transitiontowns.org/

We cannot change the world without being changed ourselves... and we can always learn more and become better informed.. and encourage each other to develop our skills and share these with others....To help , Numbers 9 & 10

9. Find out more

Science and information - see website, impacts: see http://climatex.org/articles/climate-change-info/ More to follow...

10. Learn new skills

Speaker training  / get others involved... contact us for more Info. More to follow.

For a chance to be trained to speak about climate change, find out about the Climate Outreach Information Networks' Speaker Training Series, open to all, no qualifications necessary, concessions available.