Can we make a difference?
My guess is that most readers of our wonderful ‘Kibworth & District Chronicle’, have made changes in their lifestyles because of the climate crisis we are now in. André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, Brazilian leader of COP30 UN climate summit last November in the Amazonian city of Belém said “As the age of warnings gives way to the age of consequences, humanity confronts a profound truth: climate adaptation is no longer a choice that follows mitigation; it is the first half of our survival.”
This was quoted by Professor Heiko Baltzer who attended COP 30 and gave a presentation at Harborough Climate Action meeting in January. If you would like to see his very helpful slides, please get in touch.
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So how much carbon do we each produce? Can we make changes? There are two carbon calculators that are free to use and give useful information. Remember our local libraries can help with this if we are computer free.
A simpler Carbon Footprint Calculator is provided by the World Wildlife Fund. See footprint.wwf.org.uk/. If you would like a more detailed calculator, then try the Climate Stewards 360°carbon tool. https://climatestewards.org/carbon-calculators.
They write, “Cut your footprint. The best way we can do that is to consume less, but however low we go, there will always be something left over. Contribute to compensate for these unavoidable carbon emissions with Climate Stewards and support our community-based carbon projects in Ghana, Kenya, Nepal & Tanzania.“
Alternatively, you could give to your preferred charity. Both calculators give helpful information, Carbon Stewards more so.
Our results will give us a baseline measure and by calculating our carbon footprint each year we can make comparisons and see progress on our carbon reductions. Enjoy!
Julie Fagan, volunteer, Sustainable Harborough Community and Eco Churches. For slides contact faganjulie@yahoo.co.uk
Jazz at Smeeton Westerby
