Climate Change
The earth is surrounded by a blanket of gases that keeps the
surface of the earth warm. This blanket is getting thicker,
trapping more heat. This is caused by the release of greenhouse
gases as we burn fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil) for energy.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the main
greenhouse gas which causes climate change. Carbon Dioxide is
released at power stations which run on fossil fuels (coal, gas and
oil), to create the electricity used in our homes, offices and
leisure facilities. Carbon Dioxide is also released when we use gas
to power heaters and ovens in buildings, and when oil is burnt to
fuel cars, planes and other vehicles.
Why do we need to prevent Climate Change?
Scientists predict the following headline
impacts for the South East (Source: UKCP 09):
- Warmer drier Summers
- Warmer wetter winters
- Changes in rainfall patterns
- Sea level rise resulting in coastal
flooding
- More extreme weather events such as heat
waves and flooding
More information about climate change can be found on the
DirectGov website>>
What is the Government doing about Climate Change
The Climate Change Act 2008 means that the UK
is the first country in the world to have a legally binding, long
term framework to cut our carbon emissions. The legislation also
looks at how to adapt to ‘Climate Change’.
The act makes suggestions to move the UK
towards a low carbon economy and sets a target of at least an 80%
reduction in greenhouse gasses by 2050. By 2020 it’s hoped that
emissions will have fallen by 34%. Both targets are set against a
1990 baseline.
For more
information on what the government is doing, please visit the
DECC website>>
Havant Borough Council and Climate Change
The Councils vision of a sustainable future
is “to protect the stewardship of the borough for future
generations.” The Council recognises that climate change is
happening and is fully committed to reducing the causes of climate
change and adapting to its impacts.
The Council
has signed the Nottingham Declaration on climate change which is a
voluntary pledge to address climate change issues at a local level.
The Council has also joined the 10:10 campaign which means that the
council aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.
Click here to find out more about the
10:10 campaign in Havant>>
What is the council doing?
A number of different actions are being
taken:
- Joined the 10:10 campaign to reduce carbon
emissions by 10 % in one year
- Top up means tested Warm Front Grants through
‘PUSH4 Safer Homes.’.
- Partnership working with the Energy Saving
Trust, promoting initiatives such as ‘Home Energy Checks’, while
building commitment with staff.
- Providing Energy Monitors in local libraries to
encourage residents to save energy and reduce their fuel
bills.
- The introduction of a sustainability strategic
group, champions, and a sustainability action plan.
- Involvement in the Big Green Commuter
Challenge.
- Involvement in the WWF Earth Hour 2010.
- WarblingtonCemetery’s natural burial area won a
Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice 2009.
- PublicService Villageis being built to the
BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method), Very Good
standard
- Developing a workplace travel plan to raise
awareness of, and change the travel habits of staff and visitors to
Havant Borough Council’s upcoming Public Service Village
It’s down to all of us to make our contribution,
visit our ‘what can you do?’ pages>>
for some top tips.