Liverpool, Climate Change and You
Small Changes Today for a More Prosperous Tomorrow
A report on the challenges and the opportunities facing the people of Liverpool as the issues of climate change and peak oil gain momentum in governance at local, national and global levels
Written by Claire Connolly on behalf of Transition South Liverpool
Climate Change: from global to local to YOU!
Climate change is being tackled at multiple levels. On a global scale, there is the Kyoto Protocol which has set a legally-binding target of 12.5 per cent reduction in UK emissions below 1990 levels by 2012. At the national level, the UK Government’s Climate Change Bill has imposed CO2 reduction targets of 80% by 2050.
But these actions are not enough. It is becoming clear that we must all get involved… and that includes YOU!
Why your actions are important
1) Emissions generated in producing your goods are being attributed to you.
A report by the CFID has traced 85% of all UK GHG emissions to households. In the report, emissions generated by industry, public transport and those embedded in imports of goods and services, have been divided among their end users, with the result that you, as a consumer, are being held responsible for the emissions generated in the production of everything you buy. In a consumer society, this places the responsibility for making reductions in emissions firmly on the shoulders of you and me. Ultimately, in order to reduce our emissions, we must look not only at our heating or our travel, but at everything we buy, as these goods use energy too.
2) There is another issue compounding the need for reduced energy consumption:
PEAK OIL – The Facts
- Peak Oil describes the moment when we can no longer continue increasing global oil production.
- There are thousands of billions of barrels worth of oil in the world, and these will never be fully depleted.
- Once the light oil at the top of the oil well has been extracted, it becomes more difficult and more expensive to extract the remainder.
- Production will not stop, but it will suddenly decline leading to availability shortages, increases in demand and dramatic price rises.
- The global production peak is estimated to take place within the next twenty years.
How does this affect me?
The world economy is built on oil. Not only do we rely on it for transport and heating, but almost all of the goods we buy are either made from oil, or are made by machines powered by oil.
| Some goods made from oil |
| Medicine, pesticides, fertilisers, clothes, shampoo, crayons, heart valves, soap, CDs, plastic, umbrellas, toothbrushes, shoes, pillows, lipstick, guitar strings, deodorant, motorcycle helmets, glue, telephones, artificial limbs, life jackets, insect repellent, electric blankets, dentures, soft contact lenses, footballs.. (ANWR) |
“Economically, the decade following peaking may resemble the [1973-74 oil embargo] only worse, with dramatic increases in inflation, long-term recession, high unemployment, and declining living standards”
Robert L. Hirsch - taken from a report sponsored by the US Government Department of Energy
3) With amongst the worst records for recycling and composting in the UK, Liverpool has a lot to lose.
Under the 1999 EU Directive on Landfill, we are legally obliged to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill annually. By breaking these rules, we will find ourselves paying international fines, which will see our local council’s budget reduced and our local services will be adversely affected. Conversely, if we take big action now in our homes and together in our communities, our council’s budget will go much further, our council tax will be less in danger of increasing, and we will receive greater services in return.
EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS and YOU
The Climate Change Action Plan for the Northwest (NWRDA 2006) envisages life in 2020 where air travel will have given way to the train, public transport and car sharing will be the ‘transport mode of choice’ and for short journeys most people will choose to walk and cycle . Yet, in our region, 63% of people travel to work or place of study by car or motorbike (Defra 2007, pp.10).
A report by Friends of the Earth, WWF and Campaign to Save Rural England (2007 pp.8) suggests that in spite of these targets, authorities in the Northwest are resigned to the fact that things will get worse in the areas of air and road transport and consequently have made little attempt to design methods of encouraging change. These emissions are especially significant when we consider that, ‘Transport is the only sector in which carbon emissions were significantly higher in 2005 than in the Kyoto baseline year of 1990’ with emissions having grown 11% since the Kyoto baseline year of 1990 (not including international travel) (CFIT 2007 pp.22).
| Climate Change Action Plan for the Northwest |
| Short-term Strategy: ‘increase energy efficiency, reduce energy demand, promote low carbon technologies.’ (NWRDA et al. 2006 pp.2) Problem: This strategy relies on low carbon technologies, even as new coal plants are being planned. |
The UK Strategy for Sustainable Development defines Sustainable Development in 4 ways, one of which being: maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth (DWP). It appears that short-term economic factors are taking precedence over the long-term planning which is needed in the battle against dangerous climate change and the negative economic implications of Peak Oil.
Something missing in the calculations?
An average dwelling in Liverpool produces yearly emissions equivalent to driving 14,000 miles by car. Dramatic though this might seem, this calculation is based on heating and electricity alone; it doesn’t include emissions generated through travelling, waste production or the production and distribution of the food and goods we consume (Best Foot Forward 2006 pp.7). The Climate Change Action Plan for the Northwest concerns itself with reduced energy usage in transport of people. Yet it fails to identify the transport of food as a problem. Currently the majority of our food comes from supermarkets which source food abroad. Even food grown here on industrial farms demands large inputs of oil.
| Oil use in mass food production: |
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This sector may have slipped through the net for now as approaches to calculating emissions are still being developed, but with compulsory targets of a 30% reduction on the horizon, they won’t hide for long. Another report by AEA Energy and Defra (pp.2) acknowledge that not all emissions have been considered completely - but not because they are not significant – simply because they require further data and are outside the scope of their project. Yet they include estimates for industrial processes which are generally absent from such calculations. They point the reader to yet another approach being explored by WWF (2006) which looks across national borders to include emissions from goods produced abroad for the UK.
Changing the world starts at home
Top scientists, economists and government bodies all agree on one important thing: in the battle against dangerous climate change, it is in homes and in local communities where the biggest changes have to take place.
What the experts say:
‘dangerous climate change cannot be avoided solely through high-level international agreements; it will take behavioural change by individuals and communities, particularly in relation to their housing, transport and food consumption decisions’
Nicholas Stern, UK government economic advisor: (Stern 2006 pp.385; 387)
‘If we are to succeed in making real progress to reduce our emissions over the next thirteen years, every person and business in the region needs to change their behaviour and shopping habits, even in a small way’
Phil Robinson, Chief Executive of the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA): (2008 pp.2)
‘[T]he time is past for debates about whether climate change is, or is not, a reality. … There is no city or town, no industrial sector, no wildlife habitat or indeed any household that will not feel the impact of climate change in the years ahead’
(NWRDA, NWRA, GONW, EA 2006 pp.1)
‘Failure to plan for a future in which environmental factors are likely to be increasingly significant may risk the long-term future of a business’
(Defra, 21 June 2007)
MAKING CHANGES:
WHAT YOU CAN DO
GROW YOUR OWN FOOD
This is a great way of reducing the need for plastic wrapping on your tomatoes! In addition to eliminating food miles, you can be sure your food is organic and GM-free. This is also a great way of teaching children about where our food comes from – an important lesson in today’s commodity-driven society where a 2005 survey found that 36% of children between the ages of eight and fourteen were not aware that the potato was the main ingredient of chips (BBC news 2007).
As the age of peak oil approaches, growing our own food could become the preferred way, as without oil, current industrial agriculture becomes impossible and it is not certain that there is enough farmland available to feed the entire population of England. Cuba discovered how to grow organic food in the cities following the collapse of the Soviet Union, when US trade embargoes meant they had no fuel to power their farm machinery and no access to pesticides or fertilizers.
You are entitled to an allotment space for growing food.
Alternatively you can grow food in your garden or in window boxes and indoor pots.
For inspiration on growing food in the city, why not visit a city farm?
BUY LOCAL FOOD
You might prefer to buy your food, but consider choosing local produce – organic local food is grown in season without pesticides or fertiliser and uses traditional farming methods which are not energy intensive. It doesn’t generate emissions through wrapping, transport and refrigeration.
In addition, buying local food supports the local economy, providing local jobs, and adds to the resilience of your local community.
Local food can be difficult to find, particularly in a big city such as Liverpool. If there are no shops nearby, you could try getting an organic box delivered.
Farmers markets are held at sites around Liverpool.
IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF YOUR HOME
| HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Good for the Environment, Good for your Pocket |
|
Turn down the thermostat 1 degree..Save £40 / 325kg [All savings indicated are per year. Kg = kg of CO2] |
Source: The Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust (see box above) claims you can save up to £250 per year through better efficiency. They also provide information on installing renewable supplies in your home and help you check for available grants.
Merseyside Energy Efficiency Advice Centre provides a free phone line and freepost advice service to all Merseyside residents. They can provide a personalised report of changes you can make in your home, with details of how much money you can expect to save and how much the changes are likely to cost. They also include details of any grants you may be able to claim.
Free Phoneline: 0800 512 012
http://www.epplus.org.uk/meeac.htm
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
We saw already that Liverpool has amongst the worst records in the country for recycling and composting. Friends of the Earth Liverpool (2008) described the situation facing the city as an ‘impending crisis’. They see increased recycling by individuals across the community as one of the few viable alternatives left to prevent the need for ‘at least one incineration site’ to be built.
“But my friend’s brother says recycling uses more energy than making things new”
Some people believe that recycling presents few benefits, but the experts have evidence:
A recent study investigating the carbon impacts of bottling wine in PET and glass bottles found that,
‘it is more energy and resource efficient to incorporate recycled PET into bottle manufacture than to produce PET bottles using only virgin material.’ (WRAP 2008)
'Every tonne of glass that is recycled saves 1.2 tonnes of raw materials and the equivalent of 136 litres of oil energy’
Source: Environment Agency, Recycling, Re-using and Reducing (pp.2)
Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority
The Community Fund for Waste Initiatives showed that people in the Liverpool have great ingenuity and the power to bring about big changes in their community. This initiative began last December. Projects which received funding ranged from an art project making a mosaic out of sustainable items around the themes of recycling and climate to buying a composter to use on allotments (March 2008)
| LANDFILL |
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Liverpool City Council provide information on all recycling services available in the city. They also have information on home composting and offer subsidised home composting bins.
Why don’t you …
bring reusable bags shopping? Ireland has already eliminated free plastic bags. Why not give it a try?
TRANSITION NETWORK
JOIN US!
The Transition Network is made up of communities all across the UK who are concerned about the potential impacts of Climate Change and Peak Oil on their towns, cities and villages.
But rather being miserable, we are very positive! We are working to make sure that we act now to prepare our communities for the changes that are coming. We envisage a bright future for ourselves, our neighbours and our children. Let’s work towards that.
www.transitiontowns.org
Glossary
ANWR............Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
CFIT............Commission for Integrated Transport
CO2.............Carbon Dioxide
DEFRA...........Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DWP.............Department for Work and Pensions
EA..............Environment Agency
GHG.............Greenhouse Gas
NWRA............North West Regional Assembly
NWRDA...........Northwest Regional Development Agency
PET.............Polyethylene Terephthalate
WRAP............Waste and Resources Action Program
WWF.............Worldwide Fund for Nature
References
AEA Energy and Defra ‘Local and Regional CO2 Emissions Estimates for 2004 for the UK’ http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/download/regionalrpt/laregionalco2rpt20061127.pdf - pp.2
ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) http://www.anwr.org/features/oiluses.htm 21 April 2008
BBC News ‘Gory burger posters target young’ Accessed 30 December 2007 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4413144.stm
Best Foot Forward 20 February 2006 ‘Domestic Carbon Dioxide Emissions for Selected Cities’ - Research conducted for British Gas, pp.7 http://www.britishgasnews.co.uk/managed_content/files/pdf/greenCity.pdf
CFIT (Commission for Integrated Transport) 2007 ‘Transport and Climate Change’ - Advice to Government - Trends in UK transport emissions, pp.21 http://www.cfit.gov.uk/docs/2007/climatechange/pdf/2007climatechange.pdf citing ONS (Office of National Statistics) 2004 ‘The impact of UK households on the Environment through direct and indirect generation of Greenhouse Gases’
Defra 21 June 2007 Environmental Reporting – Business and the Environment http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/envrp/index.htm
Defra (a) EU Landfill Directive - http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/landfill-dir/pdf/landfilldir.pdf
Defra, (b) Local Authority recycling and composting performance for 2004/05 http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/pdf/lacompostrecycle-rates0405.pdf
Defra 2007 Public Attitudes and Behaviours Towards the Environment Survey 2007 pp.10. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/pubatt/download/pubattsum2007.pdf
DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) http://www.dwp.gov.uk/sus-dev/#plan
Environment Agency, Recycling, Re-using and Reducing pp.2 http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/recycle_975614.pdf ‘Every tonne of glass that is recycled saves 1.2 tonnes of raw materials and the equivalent of 136 litres of oil energy’,
Friends of the Earth, WWF, Campaign to Save Rural England July 2007 How green is my region, Transport and Climate; pp.22 http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefing_notes/how_green_is_my_region.pdf
Friends of the Earth, January 2008, Earthed in Liverpool (newsletter), Issue 1
Hirsch, R. L. February 2005 Peaking of World Oil Production: Impacts, Mitigation and Risk Management http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/others/pdf/Oil_Peaking_NETL.pdf
Liverpool City Council. March 2008 Your Council Tax 2008/2009. Your guide to what you get for your Council Tax. Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority, pp.23-24
MWDA (Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority) March 2008 – Community Fund for Waste Initiatives http://www.merseysidewda.gov.uk/media-news/current-newsDetail.asp?id=208&level=3&ParentID=1&MenuItemID=81&Current_ID=189
NWRA (North West Regional Assembly) December 2007 Guide to the North West Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and proposed Carbon Reduction Targets pp.5
NWRDA (Northwest Regional Development Agency), NWRA (North West Regional Assembly), GONW (Government Office for the North West), EA (Environment Agency) November 2006 Rising to the Challenge: A Climate Change Action Plan for England’s Northwest 2007-2009 - by, pp.1 http://www.climatechangenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/documents/jun_07/cli__1181141037_Climate_Change_Action_Plan.pdf
Stern, N. 2006. The Stern Review: the economics of climate change HM Treasury. Accessed 12 December 2007 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent.reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/stern_review_report.cfm
WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Program) 13 March 2008 ‘Study Reveals Carbon Impact of Bottling Australian Wine in the UK in PET and Glass Bottles http://www.wrap.org.uk/wrap_corporate/news/study_reveals_carbon.html
WWF 2006 Counting Consumption http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/countingconsumption_es.pdf (summary) http://www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/countingconsumption.pdf (full version)