The science is obvious, the local weather is altering. The Met Workplace is likely one of the UK’s foremost local weather change analysis centres, finishing up world-leading analysis.
With over 8,100 peer-reviewed articles in scientific literature since 1981, and as a number one contributor to worldwide local weather analysis corresponding to Intergovernmental Panel on Local weather Change (IPCC) stories, the Met Workplace has a deep understanding of how greenhouse fuel emissions are impacting our local weather. We additionally know that speedy and important cuts to emissions can nonetheless assist us to mitigate in opposition to the worst impacts of local weather change.
Need to vary
The Met Workplace requested a consultant pattern of the British public in regards to the local weather motion they’re taking and their perceptions on whether or not individuals within the UK are doing sufficient to cut back their carbon footprint.
The outcomes confirmed that over half of these surveyed (59%) are making aware selections to dwell a low-carbon way of life, together with 17% who make these selections even when it’s inconvenient for them.
When requested if individuals within the UK are doing sufficient to decrease their carbon footprints, practically two thirds (65%) of respondents stated we needs to be doing extra.
This means {that a} majority of the British inhabitants are keen to make aware efforts in relation to chopping emissions, so let’s flip our consideration to a few of the steps individuals can take at a private stage.
As a way to minimise the harm from local weather change, motion is required in any respect ranges of society, however right here we discover what actions individuals can contemplate taking of their lives that can have the best affect. While not everybody will be capable of make these modifications, for a wide range of causes, it’s value reflecting on what’s achievable in order that our mixed efforts could make an actual distinction. Many of those modifications even have co-benefits – that’s to say they may additionally scale back prices, enhance air high quality or have a constructive affect on well being and wellbeing.
Transport
While a big proportion of UK adults not often or by no means fly, for people who do, taking one fewer long-haul flight a 12 months could make a major affect in your carbon footprint.
A a lot bigger proportion of individuals have entry to a automotive or van, with solely 22% of UK households with out a automotive[1]. When shopping for a automotive, switching from a petroleum/diesel automobile to an electrical one will scale back carbon emissions and be cheaper to run. While they are often dearer to purchase, in lots of circumstances they’ve a decrease price over 4 years. Discover out extra on this article from the Workplace for Zero Emission Autos which debunks a few of the myths round electrical automobiles.
Meals
The meals we eat and the meals we throw away is chargeable for a notable proportion of our particular person carbon footprint, so altering what we eat and lowering meals waste can assist decrease this.
The Local weather Change Committee recommends a 20% discount in meat and dairy consumption by 2030[2] and the UK Authorities’s Eatwell Information consists of some recommendations of different protein sources, a lot of that are cheaper than meat. You’ll find out the best way to scale back your meals waste at Love Meals Hate Waste, which can prevent cash in addition to scale back strain on land use. Wrap[3] calculate that waste meals within the UK would make over 15 billion meals a 12 months.
Dwelling
In accordance with the Sixth Carbon Price range on buildings from the Local weather Change Committee, direct greenhouse fuel emissions from buildings had been round 17% of the UK whole in 2019. Decreasing demand for heating houses can assist scale back this by insulation and good heating controls. An even bigger shift, nonetheless, is required by way of the fuels used to warmth houses. Roughly 74% of the UK’s heating and sizzling water demand in buildings is met by pure fuel[4], and the Authorities’s Web Zero Technique signifies the necessity to transfer to warmth pumps (air- and ground-source) and hydrogen boilers to decarbonise buildings. While these are costly choices, grants can be found in direction of the price of warmth pumps. You’ll find out extra about saving power in your house at GOV.UK.
Small actions additionally depend!
Now we have focussed right here on a few of the most essential modifications individuals can contemplate making to their lives by way of lowering greenhouse fuel emissions, however even the small actions could make a distinction. Check out our on a regular basis actions webpage for some recommendations of ‘fast wins’ – many of those come at no or little or no price.
Adaptation stays essential
Even when greenhouse fuel emissions are diminished, we’re already dedicated to a stage of world warming and related impacts from previous emissions launched into the ambiance. It’s subsequently essential to plan for these modifications and mitigate the chance. Study extra about adaptation.
Observe #GetClimateReady on Twitter to find out about local weather change and science and look out for extra sensible methods you may take motion on local weather change.
[1] Division for Transport – Nationwide Journey Survey 2021: Family automotive availability and traits in automotive journeys
[2] The Local weather Change Committee – https://www.theccc.org.uk/2022/06/13/governments-food-strategy-a-missed-opportunity-for-the-climate/
[3] WRAP – https://wrap.org.uk/taking-action/food-drink/actions/action-on-food-wastev
[4] The local weather Change Committee – https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sector-summary-Buildings.pdf