How Big is your Footprint?

Green tips to help reduce it...

When asked what he considered to be the greatest problem facing the world today, the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Rt Revd. D. Rowan Williams replied, ‘Climate Change’.

Overwhelming evidence indicates that Climate Change is caused by human activity. Burning fuels for energy releases gases like carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere. These are referred to as greenhouse or carbon emissions.

The overall impact is called The Greenhouse Effect or Global Warming. A layer of greenhouse gases is building up around the earth, trapping heat inside it. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket, causing the earth to get warmer.

The main consequences are:

1. Ice caps melting and sea level rising. 18 million people are exposed to extreme flooding or loss of agricultural land, especially in Southern Asia. Already in the Pacific Ocean people have been evacuated from their low-lying island homes.
2. Water shortages - especially in the Middle East, parts of Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent.
3. Disruption to rainfall patterns - increasing drought and flooding - both reducing crop production.
4. More extreme weather - with increasing natural disasters, leading to loss of life and the disruption of economies.
5. Poorer human health - peoples resistance to diseases weakened resulting from heat stress and malnutrition.

The places where the poorest people live are already at risk from drought and flooding. Climate change increases this risk. Research for the Department of International Development concluded that Africa is ‘a region with a generally limited ability to cope and adapt: and it has some of the lowest per capita emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming’ (Source: The Independent, 13.7.06.)

The effect of Global Warming could wipe out the good effects of Western Aid to Africa. Unless we take action against climate change, the promises made on aid at the G8 in 2005, in response to the Make Poverty History campaign may be futile.

So, How can we make a difference?

1. Turning off the TV and all electrical equipment at the mains when not in use - using 30%-70% less energy.
2. Using efficient lighting and light bulb. Energy saving light bulbs use 4 times less energy than normal bulbs and last 12 times longer.
3. Buying energy efficient appliances and avoiding plasma screen TV sets.
4. Only turning on and using the computer when necessary.
5. Turning down the heating thermostat by one degree.
6. Reducing water use and water waste where possible.
7. Reducing travel by plane.
8. Using public transport wherever possible - walk to the shops and church, it’s better for your health.
9. Reducing, reusing and recycling products in daily life, eg. plastic bags.
10. Buying products which are in season and which are produced locally, thus reducing Airmiles.
11. Buying non-GM and organic products. Products grown using pesticides and chemicals emit harmful gases.
12. Even purchasing second hand items from Charity Shops instead of always demanding new ones reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

These are just some of the ways by which we can become greener. If you have further ideas on this subject please send them to the Editor.

Margaret Symonds

Material taken from “Fair Enough?” Ways to live for Justice. Published by the Faith and Policy Unit of the MU.