Climate Change

It's now widely agreed that since the Industrial Revolution, the earth's average temperature has increased more than expected.Strong evidence shows that it is human activities, rather than just natural fluctuations, that are exacerbating this change.

An increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (mainly generated from burning coal and oil to produce energy) is a major contributor to climate change. As a result, our sea levels are rising and extreme weather events such as storms and floods are becoming more and more frequent.

So what can we do about climate change?

Everyone can play a part in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and halt climate change.

What we are doing

As a council, we are committed to reducing the amount of CO2 we produce. We have signed up to the Nottingham Declaration on climate change and, more recently, the national climate change campaign, 10:10.

Our Climate Change Action Plan sets out a series of actions to reduce our carbon emissions. The council's Climate Change Working Group monitors our progress and makes sure we are on target to achieve our carbon reduction targets.

What you can do

You can also do your bit for climate change. If you want to find out how much carbon you generate in a year, use the carbon calculator.

Here are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint:

• save energy - the best way to do this is to insulate your home
• travel in a more environmentally friendly way
• reduce the waste you produce by consuming less, reusing or composting

Your views

We recently asked 850 Pendle residents about their views on climate change. The results have been presented to the Climate Change Working Group, who now have a better understanding of local people's attitudes to climate change and what motivates people to take action.

Most residents had already made some changes in their home, but travel and transport were areas where more changes could be made.

• View the results of this survey.

Useful links

Here are some other links that you might find useful:

• The Government's climate change pages: Act on CO2 and DECC
• On the Lancashire County Council website - composting, journey planner
• Pendle Council - energy efficiency
• Pendle Council - information on renewable energy incentives from our planning department
  
• Pendle Council - Emissions Report (July 2011)
  
• Information on recycling
• The Energy Saving Trust can help you reduce your energy bills
• The Carbon Trust  helps businesses reduce their impact on climate change
• The Centre for Alternative Technology - information about alternative technology and other environmental issues

Contact us:

For further information, contact: