But, why is global warming the greatest threat to our environment?

Global warming, climate change and greenhouse gases. These are all linked. Increasing greenhouse gases lead to global warming which in turn results in climate change.

Just imagine that a blanket of gases surrounds the earth. Greenhouse gases trap energy into the atmosphere as a glass traps heat in a greenhouse. The more gases we emit into the atmosphere, the thicker this blanket becomes and the more heat it traps. The warmer the earth gets, the more violent the weather becomes. At present, warmer seas are melting ice caps, raising sea levels and bringing widespread flooding to low-lying countries.

Around the world, unseasonal hurricanes and floods are one of the most serious threats to development. If we don’t cut down on our emissions to the atmosphere it is predicted that over the next 80 years climate change will:

• Deprive three billion people of sufficient water to drink
  
• Threaten 290 million people with malaria
• Expose 80 million people’s homes to floods

In the UK, the average household is currently responsible for about 34 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. We ultimately need to get this down to below 10 tonnes.

			Leicester City Council is committed to reducing energy consumption.

What are greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases are Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide.

Where do the greenhouse gases come from?

Burning of fossil fuels - gas, coal and oil - to create electricity. As these fuels are burnt, they release the Carbon Dioxide back into the atmosphere. Driving cars - petrol and diesel are fossil fuels. The increasing number of cars on the roads is increasing the amount of Carbon Dioxide released into the atmosphere. Transport is the biggest growing source of greenhouse gases.

What is being done?

Energy costs money. The more we can conserve the better it is for all of us. Alternative energy is all around us and holds the key to our future energy demands.

Renewable energy is produced from sources that are naturally renewed and will not run out, such as the sun, wind and flowing water. There are many benefits to renewable energies - they are a less polluting way of generating energy than burning fossil fuels and nuclear power.

New forms of renewable energy are being harnessed to improve energy efficiency.

Leicester City Council has committed itself to reducing energy consumption within Leicester by up to 50 per cent of 1990 levels by 2025 and to supply 20 per cent of the city’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. To meet its second target, Leicester City Council is actively promoting renewable energy through its own Energy Efficiency Advice Centre.

The Energy Efficiency Advice Centre is funded by the Energy Savings Trust (EST) and is located within the Leicester City Council Energy Team. The EST’s objective is to improve the efficient use of all forms of energy in the UK, leading to an overall reduction in its environmental impact while also bringing economic benefits to consumers through lower bills and social benefits through more comfortable homes.

What else is being done to help solve the problem?

In 1997, Environ together with the Centre of Sustainable Energy (CSE) in Bristol, established the Solar Club. The Solar Club is a not-for-profit national network based in Leicester and Bristol. The club supports householders in fitting solar water heating systems by providing advice, training and access to discounted equipment.

The club aims to help people save money and the environment by using solar water heating. Regular solar club presentations and training days are held at Environ’s EcoHouse. If you’d like to come along to the next Solar Club presentation, please contact Ase Wilson, Solar Club Co-ordinator on 0116 222 0257.

How do we fix the problem?

The solution is to reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide we produce from burning fossil fuels and to choose renewable, pollution free sources. By saving energy, we save money and help preserve the environment.

What can I do?

In Leicester, you can:

• Improve your energy efficiency at home by visiting the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre or the EcoHouse. At both places you can obtain valuable advice and information and learn how you can save up to £200 a year on bills.
• Buy renewably generated electricity for your home and work place. Renewable energy is generated from the sun, wind and water - without pollution. By taking this step, you can help cut the country’s Carbon Dioxide emissions and send a clear signal that you care about global warming.
• Use the sun to heat your water by joining one of the City’s solar schemes.
• Reduce the amount of waste you produce.
• Try to buy goods and use services that are produced locally to cut down on the transport involved in their production.

The Leicester Climate Change strategy

Leicester City Council is taking the lead by being one of the first UK Local Authorities to develop a Climate Change strategy. This will help identify the implications of a Climate Change on the City and highlight what we can do to prevent these changes.

The Strategy is currently being developed and will be available for public consultation during the summer. If you would like to take part in that consultation process, please contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre at leicleac@leicleac.demon.co.uk.

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