With current theories about climate change, it is difficult not to believe that the unusually erratic weather we are experiencing is a grim reminder of things to come if we do not turn our energy hungry society back on its heels. While climatologists have for some years predicted the effects of global warming, it has only been the recent economic implications that seem to have shifted part of the global community into action. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made clear its views on human responsibility for global warming unequivocally in 1995, but it failed to convince the world powers.
It was only in 2005 that the notion of human responsibility started to spur action, following the signed statement on the global response to climate change by the national science academies of the G8 nations, plus Brazil, China and India; three of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the developing world. This statement stressed the need for nations to take prompt action based on scientific understanding of global warming.
The increase in the number of extreme weather events globally has had a catastrophic impact on people’s lives already. The BBC has reported that 200 million people could have their lives devastated by climate change in this century. The costs related to relocating such refugees are predicted to run into billions. The Economist Sir Nicolas Stern, a strong advocate for tackling climate change, reported that an investment of 1% of GDP globally on tackling climate change will result in a possible aversion of a 20% shrink in the global economy which will be brought about by the effects of global warming.
This warning in economic terms has certainly prompted the government to take action. While on a parliamentary level, there will be quotas and caps imposed on industry and in all probability extra burdens for the taxpayer; there needs to be personal action from individuals too. There are many ways to go green, from re-using carrier bags (which brings reward points at some supermarkets), recycling household waste (if it doesn’t get blown away before the recycle truck arrives), turning your washing machine down to 30 degrees (and changing your detergent if it is not up to the job), lightening the load on your car (by not using it as a shed), to switching off unused appliances. Simple tasks that do not impose any extra hardship, but with en masse participation, can make a real difference.
One great option is reverting back to having the milk-man deliver fresh milk every morning. This is constructive on a number of fronts; firstly, the recycled glass bottles means no super waste produced by high density polyethylene containers found in supermarket fridges which require a great deal of energy to recycle and so usually end up on waste piles. This also means you support the milk float which is usually electric and emission free; and the milk men who are fast becoming an endangered species due to supermarket competition. And all this will cost you a trifling 13pence more per litre of milk.
Other options for greener living include installing gas condensing boilers which ‘recycle’ exhaust gases to heat water, or perhaps solar heating panels for those who want to make a real change with the added cost. There are many other adjustments that can be made, and sources of information on this are no longer in meagre supply. There is a clear drive towards going green, with surprising lead contenders being the gigantic supermarket chains. The public attitude is now one of responsibility for the future of our planet, and while it is in differing degrees, we all should bear some of this burden.