The government's "Act On CO2" campaign is all about making people aware of the link between their own everyday behaviour and climate change. Its key message is that carbon emissions cause climate change and 40% of emissions in the UK come directly from individual behaviour. Research suggests that, while 97% of people now acknowledge that humans are contributing to climate change (and 80% think humans are the main cause), people are still confused about the specific causes of climate change and what they can do about it.
In March 2007 ICM asked thousands of people what actions they could take to limit climate change. 44% of people said recycle more. Twenty-eight percent said drive less often. Only 14 percent said reduce electricity use and only seven percent said use less heating.
Whilst all of the above will help reduce emissions, it is actually the simplest, tiniest steps that can have the biggest impact. For example, if everybody in Hastings walked a short distance rather than driving, dried clothes outside rather than in a washing machine and only part-filled their kettles, we could have an incredible impact on reducing emissions in East Sussex, in the South East region and therefore in the UK and the world!
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Our Heat for Every Home pages on energy efficiency offer useful advice together with information on grants and discounts to reduce your home's CO2 emissions.
Go to DirectGov's Act on CO2 Carbon Calculator to find out how your lifestyle impacts on climate change.
The Hastings Urban Bikes team can help you find a more environmentally friendly way of getting around town.
It's not necessarily suitable for everybody but hundreds of people are already using East Sussex County Council's Car Share Scheme. Go to their Travelchoice website to see if you can take part in the scheme, save money and reduce CO2 emissions in the county, the country and the world!
Millions of tonnes of junkmail ends up in UK landfill every year. Use the Mailing Preference Service to take yourself off those lists!
The World Land Trust have launched this unique initiative which could have a huge impact on global warming.
The WEEE Man is made from these and offers a startling insight into the sheer scale of our impact on the environment.
This page last updated: 06/09/2007