Copenhagen: why the fuss? - Healthy Life Essex

Average global temperatures are rising. The scientific consensus is that much of this change is attributable to human activities: namely the release of greenhouse gases by burning fuel for energy. Temperatures are predicted to continue increasing, leading to problems associated with sea-level rise, extreme weather and disruption to wildlife.

 

Problems of this scale call for global solutions. So, last month, 110 world leaders gathered in Copenhagen to negotiate limits to greenhouse gas emissions. However, the conference failed to deliver a legally binding treaty. This was not least because of the difficulties in achieving unanimity, between countries with very different concerns and aspirations.

 

With each country taking its own approach to coping with the threat of climate change, can we ever achieve a global strategy? I’d like to suggest that we should be just as concerned about what we can do to limit our personal greenhouse gas emissions. For example, CRed Essex (www.cred-uk.org/essex) offers tips to reduce energy use in homes and businesses. The BBC Essex web pages (www.bbc.co.uk/essex/cut_your_carbon) tell the stories of Essex residents who have acted on climate change.

 

Our own personal actions may not, individually, have any noticeable impact on global climate. However, they will remind world leaders that this is an issue that matters. They might also fuel lifestyle changes that we will need to make, in order to adapt to a changing climate.

 

> The Directgov website offers comprehensive background information on climate change.

 

> The Essex County Council website has lots of advice on living sustainably.

And of course, Healthy Life continues to provide lots of information and advice too!