Things to After Copenhagen While the Politicians Haggle Over Targets

By Stephen Tindale

Much of the discussion about Climate change is still about what we should not be doing or what we should be against. There is not enough discussion or information on solutions—what we can and should do to minimize dangerous climate change, and what should be done to make us not only safer and more secure, but also richer and happier. Here are six steps we can all take to reduce our carbon footprint.

1) Stop wasting domestic energy

A household that uses the average amount of electricity and gas is responsible for five tons a year. (This is based on the U.K. electricity-generation mix, which in 2006 was 38 percent coal, 35 percent gas, 19 percent nuclear and 5 percent renewables. For countries with more renewables or nuclear, per capita emissions are lower. For countries with more coal, like the U.S., they are higher). You can take obvious steps to cut this and save money:

Insulate properly. If you have a loft, make sure it’s well insulated. If you own the property, fit double-glazing. Fit draft excluders, which are cheap and easy to install. If you live in a cold country, use curtains instead of—or as well as—blinds. If you live in a hot country, use blinds to keep sunlight out and the temperature down.

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