Concepts such as climate change and global warming can be hard to relate to as we go about our everyday business, but it's an undeniable fact that for the past few years in all parts of the UK, our own Borough included, people have had to struggle against hurricane force winds, fallen trees and floods that have devastated homes, schools and businesses.
What is climate change?
The climate is always changing, but due to all the fossil fuels people are burning there has been a build up of gases in the atmosphere. The build up is trapping in heat which means weather patterns are changing. We are seeing higher average temperatures, and extreme weather conditions such as flash floods more often. Globally, the ten hottest years on record have all occurred since the beginning of the 1990s.
Signing up to combating climate change
Floods, tidal waves and droughts are just a few of the potentially hazardous results of a climatic change.
For more information on climate change, its causes and impacts, visit Met Office.
What you can do
There is still time to act. Every individual action, however small, can make a difference to the overall problem. Actions you can take now include:
- installing home insulation
- buying energy efficient (A+ rated) kitchen appliances
- using low energy light bulbs
- not leaving appliances on standby
- switching phone and other chargers off when not in use
- driving less, cycling, walking or using public transport more
- flying less, taking holidays nearer to home
To make it as easy as possible for people to make their homes greener, residents can access a one stop shop for free, tailored, impartial advice from the Energy Saving Trust on how to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy bills.
On top of the advice on how to use less energy in their home, callers can also get advice on how to save water, reduce waste, green their travel, and connect to grants and offers from energy companies.