Climate change: Your guidei to inspiring actioni

Photo: Flooding inBoscastle, Cornwall, 2004

An indication of the typeof event that scientistssay will become morefrequent in the future.

Climate change is one of themost urgent issues of our time.It is the greatest environmentalchallenge we face today asa global community.

Given the enormity of the problem ofclimate change and its consequences– heatwaves, flooding, more frequentstorms – people may find it hard tobelieve that they can do anything to help.But the fact is, man-made greenhousegases contribute significantly to climatechange, and action from individuals,government and businesses is vital if weare to put the brakes on it. If we all makesome simple changes, our collectiveeffort will help make a difference.This booklet is intended to help raiseawareness of climate change andencourage and inspire local action.It is also designed to act as acommunications tool, showing youhow to spread the message andgenerate discussion on what to do.You can use this booklet in conjunctionwith the accompanying website,

www.climatechallenge.gov.uk

,which contains further information,ideas and resources.

The weight of evidence for climate change, and thei link withigreenhouse gas emissions, most notablyi carbon dioxide,iis in my view now unarguable. This isi a globaliproblem requiring a global solution, but wei can all help to makeia difference. If we reduce the amounti of energy we use andimake our energy consumptioni more efﬁcient, we will reduceithe impact that we,i as individuals, have on the environment.i

Sir David King, UK Government’s Chief Scientiﬁc Adviser

Contents02–03

What is climate change?

04–05

On the ground

06–07

Getting the point across

08–09

Your carbon footprint

10–11

Calculating your carbon footprint

12–13