Thoughts on Climate Change

As someone who first came across climate change/global warming as an issue during science studies at university over the last several years, I have long been both interested and concerned about it.

In many ways it is not an issue to easily wrap your head around, certainly not the arguments that abound concerning solutions to it.

Clearly the issue has become mainstream in recent times. I am not interested here in canvassing the issue as such, whether it is real or not, natural versus man-made, nor its ramifications for Australia or the globe economically, socially, environmentally etc.

Whatever your personal views regarding climate change, it challenges us to look seriously at ourselves, how we go about our daily lives, what we can do individually and collectively more efficiently, and give greater thought to the planet’s (limited) resources and how we use them.

In this light many of us have taken steps to install water tanks, change the types of electricity bulbs we use, turn lights and equipment off when not being used and many other energy saving measures.

I am particularly interested in areas such as recycling computers and other old equipment, but I am also interested in my own individual ‘ecological footprint’ and how I can reduce and/or neutralise it. At this stage, many actions taken by individuals cost them money as they move to better, more efficient and sustainable practices, notwithstanding limited government subsidies. One reality is certain as we move towards the future. We will all pay more for water, gas, electricity, food and petrol. As we will have no choice but to pay more for these items we will all start to look for better or lower-cost alternatives.

Many are pretty simple and should create little discomfort, for example, if possible less frequent visits to the supermarket, walking or cycling short distances, travelling to the same destination with a friend by car, using public transport and many others. 

So how to offset the impact of our daily activities?

By way of example I have started recording the number of kilometres I travel to and from my customer’s homes. I can use websites such as Climate Friendly (http://climatefriendly.com/car) to calculate a single trip, my weekly petrol cost etc. This calculates the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by my activities. I can then choose to neutralise this amount by contributing the stated amount, which Climate Friendly will invest in green energy credits (including wind farms and other renewable sources).

The same methodology above applies to airline travel. Check out TerraPass (http://www.terrapass.com).

These and other companies offer gift certificates as well, which I think would make the perfect Christmas 2007 present, as 2007 be remembered as The Year That Climate Change took centre stage in our thinking and actions.

Do you think climate change is important?

I am, as always, interested in your views and any feedback you wish to provide.