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Faces of Climate Change — Introduction from Darcy Dugan on Vimeo.

This is the first of three compelling short videos showcasing the dramatic changes in Alaska’s marine ecosystems through interviews with scientists and Alaska Natives. This introduction to the impacts of climate change in Alaska includes interviews with Alaska Natives, commentary by scientists, and footage from Alaska’s Arctic.

These videos were produced by the Alaska Sea Grant program, the Alaska Marine Conservation Council, COSEE Alaska, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System.

Faces of Climate Change – Life on the Ice from Darcy Dugan on Vimeo.

Life on the Ice

This is the second of three compelling short videos showcasing the dramatic changes in Alaska’s marine ecosystems. This video highlights the marine mammals and birds and how they depend on Arctic sea ice, as well as questions about how these animals will cope in the face of climate change.

Faces of Climate Change – Disappearing Sea Ice from Darcy Dugan on Vimeo.

Disappearing Sea Ice

This is the third of three compelling short videos showcasing the dramatic changes in Alaska’s marine ecosystems due to climate change.

This video highlights disappearing sea ice through interviews with Alaska Natives and scientists.

Originally posted at http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/

With every breath we take, every drop of water we drink, we’re connected to the ocean. It is our life support system, giving us more than half of the oxygen we breathe, regulating climate, and providing valuable resources.

Here’s what you can do to help save the world’s oceans:

1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.

2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices
Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthful and sustainable.

3. Use Fewer Plastic Products
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.

4. Help Take Care of the Beach
Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or by participating in local beach cleanups.

5. Don’t Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life
Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner
Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.

8. Influence Change in Your Community
Research the ocean policies of public officials before you vote or contact your local representatives to let them know you support marine conservation projects. Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores that offer only sustainable seafood, and speak up about your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the menu or at the seafood counter.

9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly
Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other recreational activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If you’re set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the most eco-friendly option.

10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life
All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health—then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

Just like blood pressure in the human body, how and when water flows is a vital indicator and driver of the health of aquatic ecosystems and the species that depend on them—including we humans. This is the thinking behind the concept of environmental flows—which is a foundation of WWF’s work on freshwater, across Canada and around the world.

One of the key messages in the Living Planet Report is that the world’s fresh waters are coming under increasing pressure. The impacts of growing more food, generating more electricity with hydropower dams, and quenching the thirst of expanding cities and industry has lead us to a situation where 71 countries [PDF] are experiencing stress on what we call “blue” water—the water stored in and withdrawn from rivers, lakes, streams and aquifers. In the of worst cases, rivers are running dry [PDF]—rivers like the Yellow in China, the Murray in Australia, and the Rio Grande separating Mexico from the U.S. These tragedies are the result of withdrawing too much water or holding back too much of the natural flow behind dams, and increasingly, by the impacts of climate change which are leading to more severe and frequent droughts in many areas.

When a river’s flow is choked off, big problems arise for both nature and for people. When a river runs dry, the consequences can be devastating.

The global trends and comparisons in the Living Planet Report tell an important story about Canada’s fresh water, and Canadians’ use of this precious resource. Let’s start with water use. Canada’s Water Footprint of Production is the 16th largest of the 130 nations surveyed in the Living Planet Report. The Water Footprint of Production [PDF] is a measure of the amount of water that is consumed and polluted in the production of agricultural crops and livestock, and through household and industrial water use. It is an important indicator of the demands humans and our economic activities are placing on their nation’s water resources.

But in a country as large Canada, with our diverse geography and climate, national rankings and indicators can be misleading. This important point is stressed in the report [PDF]:

“One limitation of this analysis is that it looks only at a national level, whereas water use is very much at a local or river basin [or watershed] level. Thus, countries classified as not being under water stress may have areas under high stress, and vice versa.”

This is certainly the case in Canada. When we focus on the watershed scale—the scale that matters most when considering fresh water availability and use—we see a different and clearer picture of the health of Canada’s rivers, and of the impacts of our demands on the waters that follow their course. We demonstrated this in our report, released a year ago next week, titled Canada’s Rivers at Risk. In some rivers, such as the South Saskatchewan and the St. Lawrence, flows have been modified to the extent that freshwater ecosystems are in serious trouble. On the other hand, Canada is home to some of the world’s last large wild rivers—rivers like the Mackenzie and the Skeena that still flow freely from source to sea, unimpeded by large dams and over-taking of water—rivers worth protecting while we still have a chance few other nations do.

Skeena River near Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada (c) Mike Ambach/WWF-Canada

Dealing with the big problems, while at the same time protecting what we still have, will require a new freshwater conservation agenda for Canada.  WWF-Canada is hard at work setting that new agenda through the emerging Living Rivers Campaign—a multi-year initiative through which we intend to change the face of water policy and management in Canada to ensure nature’s water needs are addressed in all of Canada’s rivers.

The scale of our ambition with our Living Rivers Campaign rivals that of our Endangered Spaces campaign in the 1990s.  We doubled in a decade the amount of protected area in Canada.  In our Living Rivers Campaign, we’re targeting river flow across Canada: protecting it in wild waters, managing it better in tamed rivers, and restoring it in highly degraded systems.

Stay tuned for more as we build from the global picture presented in the LPR to our national Living Rivers Campaign that will deliver conservation results ‘on the water’ in rivers and watersheds across Canada.

http://blog.wwf.ca/blog/2010/10/15/fresh-water-lifeblood-of-a-living-planet/

Much of the imported food we eat travels more than 5,000 kilometers from the farm to your plate. Decisions we make about what we eat can therefore have a huge impact on the climate.

Meat production is a major cause of climate change. It is estimated that livestock production accounts for 70 per cent of all agricultural land and 26 per cent of the land surface of the planet. Because of their sheer numbers, livestock account for a large share of greenhouse gases (such as methane) that contribute to climate change. In fact, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that livestock are responsible for a larger share (18%) of greenhouse gases than the world’s transportation sector (14%).The growing of livestock and other animals for food is also an extremely inefficient process.

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/eat-for-a-healthy-planet/food-and-climate-change/

For example, it takes approximately five to seven kilograms of grain to produce one kilogram of beef. Each of those kilograms of grain takes considerable energy to produce, process, and transport. As meat consumption has grown around the world, so has its climate impact.Other agricultural practices can impact the climate. Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are often made from fossil fuels, and manufacturing and transporting them generates significant greenhouse gases. Studies have shown that chemical farming uses about 30 per cent more energy per unit of production than organic farms, which use naturally derived fertilizers and pesticides. In addition, organic farms — which often rely on manure and compost for fertilizer — store much more carbon in the soil than farms that rely on chemical fertilizers, keeping it out of the atmosphere where it contributes to global warming.

Where your food comes from is also important. Currently, much of the imported food we eat travels more than 5,000 kilometers from the farm to your plate. Food that is grown closer to home will therefore have fewer transportation emissions associated with it. And as the distance food travels decreases, so does the need for chemicals and processing to reduce spoilage.

It’s not only what vehicle we drive or how we heat our homes that determines our carbon footprint. The food we eat also has an impact. Understanding the resources that go into producing our food as well as what it takes to store and transport it can make us more aware of the relationship between food and climate.

(Credit: Loose Ends via Flickr.)

As both the world’s population and technological sophistication increase, the manner and scale in which food is produced has changed significantly. There are several factors that contribute to food’s climate impact, including: how much energy is used to produce it, whether the food is grown organically or with chemical inputs, and how far the food has to travel before it gets to you.

Meat production is a major contributor to climate change. It is estimated that livestock production accounts for 70 per cent of all agricultural land and 26 per cent of the land surface of the planet. Because of their sheer numbers, livestock account for a large share of greenhouse gases (such as methane) that contribute to climate change. In fact, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that livestock are responsible for a larger share (18%) of greenhouse gases than the world’s transportation sector (14%).

The growing of livestock and other animals for food is also an extremely inefficient process. For example, it takes approximately five to seven kilograms of grain to produce one kilogram of beef. Each of those kilograms of grain takes considerable energy to produce, process, and transport. As meat consumption has grown around the world, so has its climate impact.

Other agricultural practices can impact the climate. Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are often made from fossil fuels, and manufacturing and transporting them generates significant greenhouse gases. Studies have shown that chemical farming uses about 30 per cent more energy per unit of production than organic farms, which use naturally derived fertilizers and pesticides. In addition, organic farms — which often rely on manure and compost for fertilizer — store much more carbon in the soil than farms that rely on chemical fertilizers, keeping it out of the atmosphere where it contributes to global warming.

Where your food comes from is also important. Currently, much of the imported food we eat travels more than 5,000 kilometres from the farm to your plate. Food that is grown closer to home will therefore have fewer transportation emissions associated with it. And as the distance food travels decreases, so does the need for chemicals and processing to reduce spoilage.

So what can you do to reduce your impact when you eat?

Eat meat-free meals one day a week

• Plan ahead. If going meatless means changing your habits drastically, you’ll enjoy it more if you do some research and find really yummy recipes before you go shopping.

• Try veggie restaurants and meatless menu alternatives when you go out — they’re sprouting up all over the place!

• Check out these cool web sites: Vegetarian Times, Epicurious, World Community Cookbooks (not exclusively veg but has great ideas; suggested by Ayisha Yeow, Vancouver, BC)

Eat locally whenever possible

• Read labels when you shop. The best option is local, organic produce; the next best choice is to buy local, period.

• Talk to the produce manager where you shop. Tell them what you want and why.

• Grow some of your own food. Growing vegetables at home eliminates some of the transport required to get food to your table, which is often many thousands of miles. It’s possible to grow some great vegetables in even the smallest of spaces such as a balcony or patio space. Try growing herbs, potatoes, carrots and other veggies.

Replace chemical pesticides on your lawn, garden & houseplants with non-toxic alternatives

• Landscape with native plant species wherever possible. They’ve evolved in cooperation with the local flora and fauna and will thrive without need for chemicals.

• Do an inventory of how you look after your lawn and garden. Get rid of toxic substances (but discard them appropriately so those poisons don’t end up in the landfills). For information on how to do this, check out Product Care and the Georgia Strait Alliance Toxic Smart page. Find safe alternatives.

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/eat-for-a-healthy-planet/eat-for-a-healthy-planet/

We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk you through 30 easy ways to green your daily routine, from the moment you hit snooze on your solar-powered alarm clock to the point when you crawl into your eco-washed, organic cotton sheets.

At home

It would seem to go without saying, but many of us forget that we can save water in simple ways like not letting the tap run while shaving, washing your face, or brushing your teeth.

Insulating your water heater will help save valuable energy, and you can go the extra mile by installing showerheads with a low flow in your bathrooms for bathing purposes to help save water. You can also put a timer on your heaters to save power.

Using an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors goes a long way to cutting back on waste. And plant a tree.

Use towels for drying your face and hands instead of tissues that are used and thrown away. Also, hang your towels to dry so that they can be reused several times. You are, after all, clean when you use them!

Juice or yoghurt lovers can do their bit by buying juice in concentrates and yoghurt in reusable containers instead of single serving packages.

Many of us like to leaf through the paper as we munch on breakfast, but consider reading the dailies in communal spaces like the office or coffee shops. However, if you prefer to have your own copy, make sure you recycle!

When packing your lunch, opt for reusable containers for food storage instead of wrapping the food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

As you leave the house, don’t forget to switch off all the lights and appliances at the wall unit (if you have this feature) and unplug chargers as they continue to consume even if they are not charging. Saving energy helps reduce air pollution.

Getting to Work

Don’t go anywhere without your cloth bag so you can just say no to plastic whenever you shop.

Radical as it may seem, in today’s “the easier the better” society, the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is by avoiding driving altogether. Power down and try biking, walking, carpooling, public transport, or even telecommuting on occasion.

If you have no other choice than to drive to work, look for the most fuel- efficient car model and keep your tires inflated to the correct pressure.

If you’re one driving on a clear stretch of road on your way to work, use cruise control—it saves fuel and also helps you maintain a constant speed.

If you’re among the majority of drivers who spend their mornings stuck in traffic, consider turning your engine off if you will be idling for long periods of time.

For those who suffer from road rage, remember that aggressive driving lowers your mileage, so if you want to save on fuel and save the planet while you’re at it, accelerate gradually—something to keep that in mind the next time that bad driver cuts you off! Just count to 10 and say the planet needs me!

At Work

Do you have a morning hot drink routine? Using a washable mug is an environmentally-friendly alternative to non-biodegradable Styrofoam or plastic cups.

Leave a cup and reusable bottle for water at work to eliminate buying drinks, which get served in plastic cups, or bottled water. Eighty per cent of plastic bottles are recyclable but only 20 per cent are actually recycled.

When you need a pad for lists and messages, turn over an old document and write on the back of that instead.

If there isn’t an office recycling system, start one yourself! Recycling our trash actually contributes to reducing global warming emissions. And it is estimated that 75 per cent of what is thrown in the trash could actually be recycled, though currently only 25 per cent is.

When you must have a paper copy, make sure you default your printer option to use both sides. This is an easy tree-saver!

Most computer accessories like ink cartridges and CDs and DVDs are made of materials that could be reused. Computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used for a variety of computer models and makes.

Lower your office’s carbon footprint by seeing computers, monitors, printers, copiers, speakers and other business equipment to their energy saving feature and turning them off at the end of the day.

Turning off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused offices and conference rooms is an easy way to save energy.

If you’re in search of something to personalize your workspace, look no further than the humble houseplant. Houseplants are good for the environment because they remove quantities of pollutants present in the air.

After a Long Day

In the summer/warmer months, consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air-conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home. While you’re at it, in winter, lower your thermostat and put on a jumper. In summer, increase it and wear lighter clothes. You will also save money!

Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat as it senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary.

When cooking dinner, match the size of the pan to the size of the heating element to lower energy wastage.

When you are feeling at your laziest, don’t throw clean clothes in the hamper to avoid hanging them up! Wear jeans more than once.

When you wash, use only eco-friendly products in your home. It’s best for you and the environment!

For more tips, visit: http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/content/tips.asp

1. Make a commitment

Reducing your carbon footprint is no different from any other task. Telling people you will reduce carbon emissions may seem simplistic, but even simple actions like announcing your commitment to going carbon neutral can be effective, while the simple act of asking for ideas can lead to creative and innovative solutions.  Several countries have indicated in recent months that they will go carbon neutral, led by Costa Rica, New Zealand and Norway. The United Nations system itself, led by Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon, and guided by the UNEP-led Environment Management Group, is moving towards carbon neutrality. UNEP is also facilitating carbon neutrality in all sectors and all regions through its climate neutral network.

2. Assess where you stand

It is likely that carbon will eventually be judged as an atmospheric pollutant and regulated accordingly, with consequent costs—and opportunities—for all sectors of society. Knowing where and how you generate greenhouse gases is the first step to reducing them. For individuals and small businesses, online calculators and internal assessments can help start the process. Larger organisations may need specialised advice and tools, such as the new ISO 14064 standard for greenhouse gas accounting and verification, or the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, provided by the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which is an accounting tool for government and business managers to understand, quantify, manage and report greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Decide and plan where you want to go

Based on your assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities, a strategy and action plan can be developed. Targets help focus efforts and also provide a benchmark for measuring success. Most homes or businesses can reduce energy use by 10 per cent—which almost always results in a 10 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions—with a one year payback or less. A plan to reduce carbon emissions will first focus on the type of energy and the way it is used—for example, electricity for buildings and fuel for transport. Reducing this energy can create instant savings. An effective tool is an energy audit. Many electric utilities and government energy offices now offer an audit as part of their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

4. De-carbon your life

There is a broader way to think about carbon and climate. Everything an individual, organization, business, or government does or uses embodies some form of carbon, either in products themselves or in the energy and materials it takes to make them. Buildings, fittings and equipment are all proxies for carbon; ‘carbon copies’ can be chosen based on the least amount of impact they will have on the climate. Integrating climate friendly criteria into decision making can trigger a ripple effect.

If consumers, manufacturers and lawmakers all think ‘low carbon’ and ‘climate friendly’ savings in carbon emissions will multiply. Take packaging as an example. US retail giant Wal-Mart worked with one of their toy suppliers to reduce packaging on just 16 items. The toy suppliers saved on packaging costs while Wal-Mart used 230 fewer shipping containers to distribute their products, saving about 356 barrels of oil and 1,300 trees. By broadening this initiative to 255 items, the company believes it can save 1,000 barrels of oil, 3,800 trees, and millions of dollars in transportation costs.

Another example: you can buy paper or wood products that adhere to internationally certified standards. The Forestry Stewardship Council (www.fsc.org), for example, is an international non-profit organisation promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. The FSC trademark is increasingly recognised as an international standard for responsible forest management. More than 90 million hectares in more than 70 countries have been certified according to FSC standards while several thousand products are produced using FSC certified wood and carrying the FSC trademark. Switching to recycled or sustainably sourced paper can also lead to considerable savings, reducing both landfill use and carbon emissions. Using recycled paper can save 1.4 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of paper and cardboard.

Other ways of reducing your carbon footprint include wasting less time and energy on travel. Cities can improve public transport options, companies can encourage low carbon habits (by ceasing to subsidize parking or investing in hybrid technology company vehicles), and individuals can car pool or use public transport. Sometimes simple actions can produce a shift. Secure bicycle storage and changing and shower facilities, for example, are often inexpensive compared to other parking structures but create a strong incentive for those who can commute by bicycle. In larger cities with adequate public transport, a monthly or yearly pass can be offered instead of parking facilities. Paris and Vienna, for example, offer a public bicycle system that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.

5. Get energy efficient

Improving the efficiency of your buildings, computers, cars and products is the fastest and most lucrative way to save money, energy and carbon emissions. This does not mean going without. Energy efficiency is about increasing productivity but doing more with less. More efficient buildings, cars and products will a direct and lasting contribution to limiting carbon emissions. Conventional buildings can account for almost 40 per cent of CO2 emissions. High performance, environmentally accountable, energy efficient and productive facilities are now economically possible.

Very simple measures can lead to immediate savings. Just turning off unused lights, motors, computers and heating can substantially reduce wasted energy—and money. Generally, laptop computers use less energy than desktop computers and LCD monitors use less energy than CRT screens. Also consider what to do with equipment when its useful life is finished. Some manufacturers offer take-back or recycling. Also look for energy efficiency standards. For appliances, the Energy Star rating is a way to describe efficiency. For many brands now, the highest energy efficiency rating does not cost any more than less efficient products. Originally from the United States, Energy Star is now applicable in Europe.

Think about your travel. Advanced web and video conferencing technology mean the time is rapidly approaching when the need to travel will be substantially diminished. A two-day trip to attend a meeting 1,000 km (600 miles) away can cost about US$2,000 per person when accommodation, travel and meals are included, while a video conference may cost as little as US$200. The savings are US$1,800 and about half a tonne of carbon. Telecommuting is also increasingly an option for many. A study by the Telework Coalition (www.telcoa.org) found that if 32 million Americans who could telecommute did so one day a week, they would drive 2 billion kilometres less, save 300 million litres of fuel and gain the equivalent of 32 million extra hours every week for leisure, family or work.

Lighting can account for 15-20 per cent of total electricity use. Converting coal at the power plant into incandescent light is only three per cent efficient. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have evolved rapidly in the past decade. They now last between six and 15 years and reduce electricity use by a minimum of 75 per cent compared to a standard incandescent bulb. The advantages of CFLs and other high efficiency lighting have prompted legislation to ban incandescent bulbs. In 2007, Australia was the first country to mandate that no incandescent bulbs will be sold by 2012, a move that will reduce emissions by four million tonnes and cut power bills for lighting by up to 66 per cent.

6. Switch to low carbon energy

If possible, switch to energy sources that emit less carbon and can reduce costs and emissions. Generally, coal produces twice the emissions of gas, six times the amount of solar, 40 times the amount of wind and 200 times the amount from hydro. In many parts of the world customers can choose to have a percentage of their electricity supplied from a renewable energy source, such as a wind farm or landfill gas project. These ‘green choice’ programmes are maturing and proving to be a powerful stimulus for growth in renewable energy supply. Today, more than 50 per cent of all US consumers, for example, have an option to purchase some type of green power product.

Larger users can even build their own lower emission energy systems, using solar power or lower carbon technologies such as generators powered by natural gas. A Global Environment Facility project in eastern and southern Africa is promoting small scale hydro schemes in the tea industry and cogeneration using agricultural waste from the sugar industry to generate electricity for industry use and to feed into national grids.  In the United Kingdom, the body background=”images/backgrd.gif” Shop bought a 25 per cent stake in a large modern wind generator to provide renewable energy for its UK operations. Other companies installing their own renewable energy plant include 3M, DuPont, General Motors, IBM, Johnson & Johnson and Staples.

At the small business or household level, tax breaks and incentives can make solar photovoltaic systems and other renewable energy technologies cost effective. Rooftop solar electric panels can provide energy over time, reduce electricity costs and provide a buffer against price fluctuations. UNEP is helping promote such schemes in southern India and North Africa.

The transport sector is responsible for 25 per cent of total energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning petrol and diesel. Various options exist for kicking the carbon habit. Hybrid engines that combine electricity and conventional petrol or diesel engines can offer substantial fuel savings while reducing emissions. Vehicles can also run on a range of alternative fuels that can offer both cost and environmental benefits, although they also often require an additional investment that take some time to pay back.  These include compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and biofuels.

Biodiesel and bioethanol are biofuels made from crops, such as wheat, soy, corn and sugar cane. They are often blended with petrol or diesel, and almost all vehicles can run on blends up to 10 per cent without modification. Specially enabled biofuel cars can run on higher blends, such as a mix of 85 per cent bioethanol and 15 per cent petrol. In many parts of the world, biofuels are becoming more popular and easier to find commercially and in various blends. For companies with automotive fleets, biofuels can be a cost-effective low-carbon alternative.

7. Invest in offsets and cleaner alternatives

There is a limit to how much efficiency you can squeeze from your lifestyle or your organisation’s operations, or how much renewable energy you can employ. The choice for those who wish to compensate for their remaining emissions is to fund an activity by another party that reduces emissions. This is commonly called a ‘carbon offset’ or ‘carbon credit’. The term carbon neutral includes the idea of neutralising emissions through supporting carbon savings elsewhere.

The average price for carbon offsets is US$15 per tonne, but costs range from US$5-50 per tonne. To purchase offsets, individuals or businesses pay an offset company to implement and manage projects that avoid, reduce or absorb greenhouse gases. Climate change is a global problem, so carbon reductions will have the same impact no matter where they are implemented. Carbon credits can be generated by emission-free energy generation, reduced demand, including energy efficiency, or sequestration in the form of underground and forestry storage.

According to one report, the highest quality offsets are generated from the flaring of methane from landfills, since methane is an even more potent greenhouse gas than CO2. Green Gas International (www.greengas.net) is a company that generates carbon credits by converting waste gas to clean energy through partnerships with mines, landfills and biogas producers. The worldwide benefits of such projects include 125 megawatts (MW) of power, saving four million tonnes of CO2.

8. Get efficient

Looking at your life or business through a carbon neutral lens can help you in other ways by increasing the efficiency of resource use, avoiding and reducing waste and ultimately improving your overall performance and reputation. Economists are fond of saying that there are no banknotes lying around because someone will have already picked them up. In climate change, there are still plenty of banknotes just waiting to be picked up. After all, carbon is generally the waste product of producing energy, and reducing waste and becoming more efficient is always a good idea. Integrate the 3R approach—reduce, reuse and recycle—into your thinking.

9. Offer—or buy—low carbon products and services

The market for climate friendly products and services is growing rapidly, from energy efficient products to new renewable energy systems. To offer such products, however, it’s important to begin at the design stage. Actions as simple as adding energy efficient specifications into the design process, for example, can produce a design that minimises energy consumption during its use and saves customers the time and energy from making adjustments to a product after a purchase, (for example having to wrap water heaters with insulation blankets).

A more systematic approach comes from the field of ‘design for sustainability’, which includes life cycle design and environmentally conscious design and manufacturing. This new approach considers environmental aspects at all stages of development to create products with the lowest environmental impact throughout the product life cycle. Ecodesign is an important strategy for small and medium sized companies both in developed and developing countries to improve the environmental performance of their products, reduce waste and improve their competitive position on the market.

10. Buy green, sell green

The market for green products and services is growing rapidly. In many countries consumer surveys report that growing numbers of consumers are willing to buy green products if given the choice. For businesses, innovative product design and presentation combined with responsible marketing and communications can help ensure that this consumer interest translates into purchasing. However, the market for green products remains underdeveloped because people still find it difficult to locate products or trust their environmental claims. Businesses can help consumers to be more climate friendly, from the online click for carbon offsetting on a tourism booking website to the label on a product at the local store.

11. Team up

Many private sector companies are increasingly working with non-governmental organisations, cities or governments to identify and implement best practice solutions to reduce emissions. The Carbon Disclosure Project (www.cdproject.net), for example is an independent non-profit organisation providing information for institutional investors with a combined US$41 trillion of assets under management. On their behalf, CDP seeks information on the business risks and opportunities presented by climate change and greenhouse gas emissions data from more than 2,000 of the world’s largest companies.

Similarly, local and national governments are seeking opportunities to partner with business on delivering low carbon solutions. In countries such as Canada, government institutions and power utilities supported the setting up of Energy Service Companies (ESCos). In the United States, the federal Environmental Protection Agency started the Energy Star program (www.energystar.gov) in 1992 as a voluntary partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. In 2006, American businesses and consumers saved US$14 billion on energy bills with the help of Energy Star saved and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to 25 million vehicles annually.

12. Talk

The increasing importance of climate change means that companies and organisations will need to communicate. Transparency is critical. The internet and other new media mean that companies, organisations and governments cannot hide behind greenwash. This is where tools for verification and reporting guidelines with recognised indicators are critical. One example is the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) (www.globalreporting.org). Internal communications via intranets and company publications can report progress and acknowledge contributions by individual staff or teams. It’s also important to let shareholders know. Reducing emissions, particularly by improving efficiency is a win-win situation that can also enhance a company’s reputation. Consumers and investors alike are requesting information on a company’s response to risks and opportunities related to climate change.

(This is an abridged and adapted version of an original piece produced by UNEP for the UNEP/Sustainable Development International publication ‘Climate Action’ www.climateactionprogramme.org)