MIKE SLEIGHT: Every one us can make a difference
ECOLOGY officer Mike Sleight is a local and well-known authority on environmental issues. Here he talks about the national 10:10 campaign to cut carbon emissions.
THE aim of the 10:10 campaign is to help members of the public reduce their carbon emissions by 10 per cent by the end of the year.
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Council's across the country have pledged their commitment to the 10:10 campaign so I thought I would look at whether CO2 is affecting our climate. In next week's column I will look at some of the actions we can take and their benefits.
There is clear evidence that CO2 levels are increasing in the upper atmosphere. In 1960, carbon dioxide concentration was 315 parts per million (ppm) and it is now up to 390 ppm.
Research shows that the levels have gone up by 100 ppm since 1800. This is a steep increase in levels, in line with the introduction of the internal combustion engine and the industrial revolution.
It is true that the world has experienced warmer and colder periods in the past without any interference from humans and the ice ages are well-known examples of to the global climate.
There have also been regional changes, such as the "medieval warm period" when grapes were grown extensively in England, and the "little ice age", when the River Thames sometimes froze over.
However, in contrast to these phases, we have seen an increase of three quarters of a degree centigrade over the last century, which is larger than can be accounted by looking at natural factors alone.
Scientific research supports the fact that the average global temperature rises when there is an increase in CO2 levels. A target has been set to keep the increase down to two degrees to avoid the most serious effects, but this is still a big increase considering the difference between the last ice age and present day temperatures is only five degrees.
We are not sure what this will mean for our weather. It doesn't mean that our winters and summers are going to be two degrees warmer. A possibility is that we will have more extreme weather conditions, which could include long periods of drought, heavier rain and snow storms, or high winds.
There are no set rules for what might happen and although it is true that extreme weather conditions also occurred in the past, they do seem to be happening more often than they used to.
Getting involved with the 10:10 campaign is a good way to find out more about why it is important to cut down on your carbon emissions and how you can do your bit to meet these targets.
8 Comments
by Save me and the world, grimsby
Monday, August 30 2010, 11:27PM
“Definition of global warming----Lets see how much tax we can get out of the GB population - OR LETS SEE HOW MUCH OUR CHILDREN SUFFER BECAUSE OF OUR GENERATIONS SELFISHNESS”
by grim reaper, Cleethorpes
Sunday, August 29 2010, 8:56AM
“Definition of global warming----Lets see how much tax we can get out of the GB population”
by realist, grim
Saturday, August 28 2010, 10:37PM
“here here .. unapprieciated well said if only more like you n me , just to add the earth is 10degrees lower now than it was in the jurassic age ,we are out of the ice nearly and all this new propaganda of (global warming )or as its now called climate change we would not listen to the so called scientifics ... if only we had gone with the inventions of the 50,s that never used oil but use other ways we would live a different lifestyle now ,”
by Unappreciated, Nowhere in Particular
Saturday, August 28 2010, 7:05PM
“I already do my bit. I don't drive so I walk, cycle or use public transport to get about. I don't waste food as I can't afford to. I only buy EXACTLY what I need when I need it. I refuse to have central heating in my home as I think it a shocking waste of energy and the fire only ever gets switched on when I'm so cold I can't stand it any more. I rarely travel abroad. Am I any better thought of? NO! People just treat me like I'm some kind of retard because I don't drive, because my clothes are not necessarily fashionable and because I chose to stay in the UK rather than go to Majorca for my jollies.
I don't even think that global warming is down to human beings. I think it is all part of the earth's natural cycle (the planet has experienced exceptionally hot temperatures and also excaptionally cold temperatures in the past since time began).
But then what would I know?”
by Chrisj, Obviously another planet
Saturday, August 28 2010, 5:52PM
“Population growth is a far greater threat to life on earth than 'climate change' but is one of the taboo subjects we shouldn't discuss, far easier to blame CO2 emissions. However the fly in the ointment is the graphs which suggest CO2 rises follow the warming trend not lead it.
Natural CO2 emissions are around 20 times greater than man made emissions so to be honest if CO2 is to blame were wasting our time trying to make any difference. Water vapour in the atmosphere is a far more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2 but is largely ignored maybe because government haven't come up with a way to tax it.
The AGW computer models have been discredited and can't even predict current temperature trends never mind those in the future. The programs have been constantly tweaked to obtain the desired results and inconvenient data has been ignored.
If governments were far more honest and just admitted they have made a hash of planning for future energy needs, that green energy isn't the solution and we have to reduce dependency on fossil fuels then they could move forward without the bogey man of AGW to frighten us into submission.
AGW was a godsend to the politicians, increased taxation in the name of combating Global Warming and saving the polar bears rather than accepting the fact their policies had got them into financial difficulties and they would have to increase taxation to pay for their mistakes.”
by H, edge of Grimsby
Saturday, August 28 2010, 2:14PM
“With Pete.... vegetarians/vegans are contributing more to Global warming. Basis not eating meats/animal products and cows/sheep/pigs as they eat grass all day this gives them (like us when we eat greens like sprouts, cabbage, spinach) mega wind/flatulance. This methane emitted then destroys to ozone layers!”
by pete, GRIMSBY
Saturday, August 28 2010, 10:26AM
“One of the greatest sources of CO2 is humans breathing out. If everyone held their breath for 6 minutes in every Hour( 1 min every ten mins) this would be a 10% saving with training could be increased over time. I would sujjest that it is trialed fo 12 months by our MPs.”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Saturday, August 28 2010, 9:51AM
“I can help you with the "little ice age" part,Mike. Their was a HUGE eruption of a volcano in Iceland (similar to Krakatoa size)with the gunk heading towards Europe. It caused major problems for several years to our climate.”