Environment and roads

What you can do about climate change

All of us can do something about climate change. There are many small steps which can be taken which can help to reduce our ‘carbon footprints’ and prepare for any changes in our climate. Many of these actions are simple to do and won’t cost you a penny, in fact they could save you money.

Dealing with climate change means looking at both sides of the coin - both reducing the greenhouse gases that cause climate change (known as mitigation) and coping with the impacts of climate change (known as adaptation).

Mitigation - reducing the greenhouse gases that cause climate change

An example of mitigation could be saving energy in your home. You can do this by turning down your thermostat by one degree, using low energy light bulbs, washing clothes at 30 degrees, not leaving your TV on standby and turning the lights off when you leave a room. All of these actions save energy and money, but also reduce CO₂ emissions.

Adaptation - coping with the impacts of climate change

For example, how would you cope during heat waves or periods of drought? How would you ensure that your home remains comfortably cool? Would you install blinds or shutters, or perhaps plant trees outside to shade your home? How would you maintain your garden if there is a shortage of water/hosepipe ban? Would you install water butts or plant more drought-tolerant plants?

There are many ways in which we are already adapting (for example many gardeners have taken the opportunity of milder winters and warmer summers over recent years to grow exotic plants) and can continue to do so.

These are just simple examples to get you going. More information on what you can do can be accessed via the links below.