Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today. Rising temperatures will affect weather patterns, sea levels and the frequency of extreme weather events and scientists have become increasingly convinced that human actions are to blame.

As our demand for energy has increased, the amount of carbon dioxide that’s released into the atmosphere has increased too and that’s the main cause of climate change. To reduce the threat of climate change, we must reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that we produce.

Figures show that in 2005, energy use in the Preston area produced 1,061,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, including 306,000 tonnes of CO2 from domestic use, which is the equivalent to 2.4 tonnes per head. Industry and commerce contributed 413,000 tonnes and road transport 335,000 tonnes, giving an overall per capita total of carbon dioxide of 8.2 tonnes.

We can all act now to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we produce and create a sustainable future. A good starting point to do this is to calculate how much CO2 you currently produce. This CO2 calculator will do this for you. It will also create an action plan that is tailored around your lifestyle to help you reduce the amount of CO2 you create .

For more information on Climate change and what we can do as residents of Preston, click on any of the links below:

What is climate change
What national laws and policies exist
What Preston City Council is doing 
Cutting the cost of climate change in the home  
Carbon free TV