Do you know your carbon footprint?
Dorset Magazine|February 2020
How to measure and reduce your impact on the planet and make a difference
Do you know your carbon footprint?

My aim in these monthly features is to help you understand and respond to the climate crisis, by guiding you through some of the main issues and approaches. Carbon footprint may sound a bit techy, but it’s a very useful idea.

A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, household, business or activity. Typically, this is measured as tonnes of CO2. The reason this matters is that our modern society emits increasing amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, creating what is known as the Greenhouse Effect: high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere around our planet trap the heat, causing the rise in global temperatures. Something we are already experiencing.

If you do a web search on CO2 emissions you will discover that since the early 1950s, emissions have been growing rapidly, far beyond historical levels. Despite a lot of good work across the world to reduce emissions, 2019 is forecast to be the highest year ever: this is why leading authorities like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), along with David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg, and many others, are telling us that we are in a severe crisis already, and only have a few years to turn things around.

Although many other factors contribute towards the climate crisis, CO2 emissions are one of the biggest; it is also the one where our lifestyle choices can make a real difference. The point about knowing our carbon footprint is that it enables us to measure our impact, and to see how we can reduce it.

CLIMATE CHANGE: WHAT CAN WE DO?

Denne historien er fra February 2020-utgaven av Dorset Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra February 2020-utgaven av Dorset Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA DORSET MAGAZINESe alt
Fighting Fit At Fifty
Dorset Magazine

Fighting Fit At Fifty

As the country braces for a lockdown winter, seize the moment to become the fittest you can be – after all age is just a number

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Last Night I Dreamt I Went To Mapperton Again...
Dorset Magazine

Last Night I Dreamt I Went To Mapperton Again...

Helen Stiles goes behind the scenes at the filming of Rebecca where two historic Dorset manor houses play a starring role as Manderley in this romantic thriller

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020
Painting the Seasons
Dorset Magazine

Painting the Seasons

Nicholas Hely Hutchinson reveals how the changing moods of the Dorset coast and countryside inspire his paintings

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
THE HEAT IS ON
Dorset Magazine

THE HEAT IS ON

Weymouth 51 are blazing a trail through the chilli world with their handcrafted fermented sauces that offer layers of complex flavours from mild and fruity to super-hot tongue tinglers

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
Meeting MR FIX IT
Dorset Magazine

Meeting MR FIX IT

Sir Oliver Letwin stepped down as the MP for West Dorset in 2019, but his passion for the county he served for 22 years is as strong as ever

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
Wildlife Wanderings
Dorset Magazine

Wildlife Wanderings

David Bailey shares some of his favourite Dorset images and stories taken from his new book

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
SOWING THE SEEDS
Dorset Magazine

SOWING THE SEEDS

The average age of a British farmer is 60, which is why the Melplash Agricultural Society is investing in the next generation of Dorset farmers

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2020
HAUNTED DORSET
Dorset Magazine

HAUNTED DORSET

From spectral Roman armies and duelling ghosts to a beneficent black dog, Jerry Bird explores some of the spookier goings on around the county

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020
Decorative art
Dorset Magazine

Decorative art

Not simply functional, treat your walls like an extension of your personality

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Age-old advice
Dorset Magazine

Age-old advice

Just become a grandparent for the first time? Perhaps you need a little guidance, so here are some top tips about how to embrace your new family role

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020