5 things you can do to help fight climate change
It’s the environmental issue the majority of us are most worried about – so what can we do to help tackle global warming?
Climate change is one of the environmental challenges most likely to keep us awake at night, according to two-thirds of GH readers*, and we’re not the only ones who are worried. The Government recently announced tougher plans to cut emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, including carbon dioxide, by 2035. If you want to do your bit, start by reducing your own carbon footprint (total carbon emissions produced as a result of the things we buy and do). Here’s how... 1 EAT FRUIT AND VEG THAT HAS BEEN GROWN IN THE UK When we buy fresh, Uk-grown produce that’s in season, the meals on our plates will have clocked up fewer ‘food miles’ (and lower carbon emissions) than items that have been flown thousands of miles to fill supermarket shelves. 2 USE YOUR CAR LESS, IF POSSIBLE
Road transport made up around one-fifth of the UK’S total greenhouse gas emissions before the coronavirus pandemic caused us to travel less**. The Government’s Climate Change Committee has said we need to reduce miles travelled in our cars by 9% by 2035. 3 BUY LESS INTENSIVELY FARMED MEAT The Climate Change Committee says we will all need to
consume just over one-third (35%) less meat and dairy by 2050. The deforestation involved in growing soy to feed intensively farmed animals contributes to increasing levels of carbon in the atmosphere. 4 SWITCH TO A GREEN ENERGY
TARIFF The total carbon emissions that come from heating and powering our homes tops the list of contributors to climate change – ahead of driving our cars, taking flights and producing food***. The Uswitch independently verified Green Accreditation scheme can tell you just how eco-friendly an energy tariff is before you sign up to it. 5 MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT The Plan Home Improvements tool from Simple Energy Advice can help you come up with an energy-efficiency improvements plan. It estimates an approximate cost for each project and the likely savings on your energy bills. Find the tool at simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/energyefficiency/home-improvements.