Tackling climate change
Scotlands Climate Change Declaration
Climate change is widely recognised as the most serious threat facing our world, with the potential to shrink the global economy by 20% or more if not addressed urgently.
Some gases, most significantly carbon dioxide (CO2), trap heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise escape into space. These gases, called greenhouse gases because of their effect, make the earth much warmer than the frozen, lifeless ball it would otherwise be. Since the industrial revolution human activities have been increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and this has led to global warming.
The great majority of the world’s scientists now agree that our planet’s climate is changing due to global warming and that most of that change is a result of human activities. With a system as complex as world climate, it is difficult to predict exactly what will happen, but the effects are likely to include:·
- an increase in extreme weather events, such as severe storms and droughts;·
- a change in the pattern of rain and snowfall, meaning that some places will get wetter whilst others will get drier;·
- rising sea levels as a result of melting ice caps and glaciers and expansion of warmer water in the oceans.
Those most vulnerable to the worst impacts of a warming planet are people living in developing countries, yet they have contributed least to the problem. But wealthier nations are not immune to the impacts. Scotland will increasingly be affected by predicted changes in climate both directly, as our own weather changes, and indirectly as a result of impacts in other parts of the world.
There are two ways for us all to respond to the challenge of climate change. Firstly, we need to make significant changes in our use of energy and other activities that release greenhouse gases. Such mitigation measures include significantly cutting emissions by reducing demand for fossil fuels, using energy more efficiently, and moving to a low carbon economy. Secondly, we need to prepare for the changes in climate that are already unavoidable due to past and current emissions. Adaptation measures include preparing for increased flooding and planning for extreme weather events.
Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration
Stirling Council, along with all other Scottish local authorities, has signed Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration
The Declaration was re-signed in July 2008 to reaffirm commitment by the Council and to mark publication of the first Annual Statement of Council activity in support of the Declaration
Carbon Management Programme
The Council is also participating in The Carbon Trust’s Public Sector Carbon Management Programme and is in the process of developing a Climate Change Strategy for the area which will look at both mitigation and adaptation measures.
Carbon Calculator
Meanwhile, working out your personal carbon footprint just got easier with the launch of the Government's online Carbon Calculator, part of the Act on CO² campaign. Its aim is to help us all reduce our impact by signposting actions which can really make a difference. Having worked out your carbon footprint, the calculator then develops a personalised action plan with steps to take to cut emissions.
Local Links
Going Carbon Neutral Riverside
