BA2 Blog Task – Climate Change

After familiarizing myself with the Climate Change Scotland Act 2009, it is clear that in order for Scotland to reach the ‘2050 target’ there has to be a decision made to make a severe change, however this can only be successful if the population reacts positively to this and reinforces this change. The 2050 target is that ‘the Scottish Ministers must ensure that the net Scottish emissions account for the year 2050 is at least 80% lower than the baseline.’

At the moment, there is an interim target whereby  ‘the Scottish Ministers must ensure that the net Scottish emissions account for the year 2020 is at least 42% lower than the baseline.’ The annual target is where the Scottish Ministers must aim for each year in the period 2010–2050, set a target for the maximum amount of the net Scottish emissions account and ensure that the net Scottish emissions account for each year in that period does not exceed the target set for that year. To understand this more clearly, I looked further into emissions and how they are really affecting us.

The word ’emission’ is commonly known as the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation when it is being released into the atmosphere.  The target regarding these emissions is that ‘for 2010,  there must be set at an amount that is less than the estimated net Scottish emissions account for 2009′ and also ‘for each year in the period 2011–2019, it must be set at an amount that is consistent with a reduction over that period of net Scottish emissions accounts which would allow the interim target and the 2050 target to be met’. It also states that ‘for each year in the period 2020–2050, must be set at an amount that is consistent with a reduction over that period of net Scottish emissions accounts which would allow the 2050 target to be met; and at least 3% less than the target for the preceding year’.

In order to understand more about my lifestyle and actions and how they contribute to climate change, I used the ‘WWF Measure Your Footprint Tool’ to find out my carbon footprint. As I was completing the test, I answered the questions honestly and I believed that my percentage would be quite low because I do not travel by train, or bus and I always recycle. However after my score was calculated I was extremely shocked to discover it was sitting at 164%! When this is compared to the 2020 target, I need to make a lot of changes as I am a clear distance away from this target.

I looked further into how to shrink my carbon footprint as I am keen to make conscientious changes. There are 6 simple and healthy amendments I can make to my  diet which will help the planet. These are;

1) Eat more plants – enjoy vegetables and whole grains!

2) Eat a variety of foods – have a colourful plate!

3) Waste less food – one third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted.

4) Moderate your meat consumption, both red and white – enjoy other sources of proteins such as peas, beans and nuts.

5) Buy food that meet a credible certified standard – consider MSC, free-range and fair trade.

6) Eat fewer foods high in fat, salt and sugar – keep foods such as cakes, sweets and chocolate as well as cured meat, fries and crisps to an occasional treat. Choose water, avoid sugary drinks and remember that juices only count as one of your 5-a-day however much you drink.

All of the above points are realistic and I feel I could easily adapt my diet to be more planet friendly. Another is to know more about forest certification and know where my stuff is coming from. Forest certification is a system of inspecting and tracking timber, paper pulp and other forest products to make sure they’ve been harvested according to a strict set of guidelines. It’s about more than just which trees are cut down – forest certification is also about the well-being of workers and local communities. I will also aim to be more conscious of where my food is coming from.

As a consumer, we can make a difference to the way our fish stocks are managed. By only choosing fish from healthy, responsibly managed sources, caught using more sustainable methods which minimise damage to the marine environment and reduce bycatch, I can help drive the market towards sustainable seafood. Our choices can help ensure the sustainable use of our marine resources.

I learned that WWF co-founded the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and theAquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) which are credible certification standards that assess the environmental sustainability of a fishery or farm. By looking out for products carrying these logos, I can be assured that they are being responsibly managed and transparently monitored.

There are millions of things we can do to change and amend our lifestyles, and although they may be little, they make a huge difference. I am aware of waste and try hard to not waste any of my food and also to dispose of waste properly. It is becoming a regular thing to see animals and wildlife killed or injured due to non-degradable waste/plastic being dumped. When the carrier bag charge was introduced, this was to try and reduce the amount of plastic carrier bags being left/dumped. I believe that it has reduced the rate a little, however as the charge is only 5p, a lot of individuals including myself still pay the charge instead of carrying my individual items. If I have just paid maybe £50 for a food shop, then I would not hesitate to pay a small extra of 5p to be able to hold my items. This is something I could change though by investing in a bag for life.

All in all, it is important that we realise just how important our planet is and that we need to look after it before climate change causes irreparable damage.  All the animals that are becoming endangered and extinct is because of how we have treated the planet. Studying this theme has opened my eyes to the reality of just how endangered different species, wildlife, and areas are becoming. There are many options to donate to the WWF and different organisations to help protect our planet. I know that now, I will always make an effort to try to reduce my carbon footprint and when I go into schools, I think this will be a very interesting subject to teach and it will make the children more aware of the current issues we are facing and how they can contribute to reduce these issues.