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Better insulation at home, less use of the car and even giving
up an electric toothbrush can help people in rich nations halve
emissions of greenhouse gases.
"Adopting a climate-friendly lifestyle needn't require drastic
changes or major sacrifices," according to the 202-page UN
Environment Programme (UNEP) book entitled "Kick the CO2 Habit: the
UN Guide to Climate Neutrality".
Issued to mark the UN's annual World Environment Day, it outlines
ways for people to combat global warming with measures such as
packing lighter suitcases when flying or going jogging in a park
rather than on an electric treadmill.
World emissions of greenhouse gases blamed by the UN Climate Panel
for heating the globe total about 4.5 tonnes per person for all of
the world's 6.7 billion population.
Most efforts to slow climate change focus on the role of
governments - such as in rules for emissions from cars or power
plants or building codes to help avert projected impacts such as
droughts, heat waves, more powerful storms or rising seas.
Fewer look at how individuals can do it themselves.
"Multiplied across the world and acted upon by 6.7 billion people,
the public have the power to change the future, have the power to
personally and collectively influence economies to 'Kick the CO2
Habit'," said Achim Steiner, head of UNEP.
The guide outlines ways for people in Europe, Australasia and North
America - the major contributors to global warming historically --
to halve their emissions. Among examples and their savings of
carbon dioxide (CO2):
- Use a wind-up alarm clock rather than an electric one: 48 grams
CO2 a day
- Dry clothes on a washing line rather than in a tumble dryer: 2.3
kg each load.
- Pack lighter suitcases. It says that world savings would be 2
million tonnes a year if every airline passenger cut the weight of
baggage to below 20 kg and bought duty free goods on
arrival.
- Use a non-electric toothbrush: 48 grams a day.
- Heat bread rolls in a toaster rather than in the oven for 15
minutes: 170 grams of CO2 each time.
- Take a train rather than a car for a daily commute of 8 km: 1.7
kg CO2 a day.
- The average British household could cut 2 tonnes of CO2 annually
with more efficient insulation, heating and lighting
- Reduce winter heating: cutting the temperature by a couple of
degrees saves 6% in energy bills.
- Avoid 'carbon binges': a return flight across the Atlantic is
equivalent to running a car for a year for each passenger.
