Climate change and sustainable living
Debate about climate change has long moved on from whether it’s really happening to what we should be doing about it – and how best to do it. But if in doubt, read our summary below of the issues.
Every energy customer can play a small part in acting against climate change by paying attention to their home’s energy efficiency – see our energy-saving tips.
Meanwhile EquiClimate is Ebico’s response as an energy supplier to the challenges presented by climate change. It is an innovative, carbon offsetting service for customers who want to redress the effects on the environment of their own energy use.
EquiClimate is unique in using the new Europe-wide market in CO2 allowances to offset the emissions created by energy consumption from customers’ homes. We hope all EquiPower and EquiGas customers will also consider playing a part in tackling climate change through EquiClimate.
More details are available on the EquiClimate website which is currently being revised – or call 0845 456 0170.
The background issues
Certain gases known as ‘greenhouse gases’ (GHGs) entrap solar radiation within the Earth’s atmosphere. The massive increase in the emissions of these gases over the last century has meant, in turn, an increase in overall temperatures around the world – creating the enhanced greenhouse effect.
The global average surface temperature increased by 0.6 degrees Celsius in the 20th century – which may sound a small amount, but in fact is hugely significant in its effect on the world’s climate, and to many different life forms. The scientific consensus is that most of the warming of the last 50 years is attributable to human activity.
And the global temperature is projected to increase by 1.4 – 5.8 degrees Celsius in the 21st century.
The effects of climate change
This process of global warming has already resulted in countless changes to global, regional and local climate systems. Closest to home, the dramatic extent of flooding over the UK in areas from Cumbria to Kent, alongside increased frequency of British flooding over the last ten years, speaks for itself. London’s Thames Barrier is being closed more often due to increased risk of flooding.
Further afield, there is growing evidence all the time of the melting of the polar ice caps. Average temperatures in the Arctic are rising twice as fast as elsewhere in the world, and the Arctic ice cap is shown by satellite images to be contracting at a rate of 9 per cent each decade. Meanwhile the Himalayan glaciers, the main water source for hundreds of millions of people, are also retreating.
Climate change will impact the world – and is already impacting it – in very many ways. Extreme weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts, are expected to increase in frequency and intensity. Vector-borne diseases like malaria are likely to spread. Crop yields will change – for most countries negatively. The mean sea level will rise – and if global warming triggers ice sheet collapse, it could rise as much as several metres, devastating many low-lying areas of the world.
Even with the most conservative view of projected changes, there will be severe effects, many of which may be irreversible. For example, water shortage will affect billions, while vulnerable species and unique ecosystems, such as coral reefs, may disappear.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most significant greenhouse gas – 75 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions are caused by burning fossil fuels. There are other greenhouse gases subject to regulation, such as methane, nitrous oxide, halocarbons or fluorinated gases and ground-level ozone. But a reduction in global CO2 emissions of at least 60 per cent – many now say 80 per cent – compared with 1990 levels is needed by 2050 to avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change.
I also offset my flights through your [Equiclimate] mechanism as I like the idea of removing carbon credits from the market
Lynne Jones MP
The Kyoto Agreement – and the way ahead
The Kyoto Agreement is a framework that was laid down by 38 developed countries with the aim of preventing global warming at a summit held in 1997. The Agreement came into force in February 2005. However, the targets agreed then for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission expire in 2012, and the debate is under way to determine a new set of binding targets to put into force at that time, and to establish how developing nations can be supported in adapting to climate change.
At Kyoto, the US and China were notable by their absence. Other industrialised nations committed themselves to varying levels of reduction, with the average of the emission cuts agreed standing at about 5.2 per cent compared to 1990 levels. Under EU law, the EU member states collectively must reduce their GHG emissions by 8 per cent between 2008 and 2012.
Recent studies show that levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are rising faster than a decade ago. Politicians met in Bali for the United Nations Climate Change Conference at the end of 2007 to discuss how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions after the current Kyoto protocol targets expire in 2012.
Following intensive debate, governments agreed a ‘roadmap’ for future talks, with the aim of concluding a new global climate deal by the end of 2009 – in time to launch a new international regime to replace the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. An Adaptation Fund was launched to help Kyoto developing country members most vulnerable to the destructive effects of climate change. And new agreements were achieved on deforestation, technology and the carbon markets.