This letter has been sent to the editors of local Nenagh papers, the Nenagh Guardian and the Tipperary Star, on 11the December 2009
Dear Sir
We are all horrified at reports of the recent floods which have devastated thousands of homes, farms and businesses - ‘once in 800 years’ floods some say. It is heartening how the Irish people have rallied to help the thousands whose lives have been shattered. But let us also take the floods as a wake-up call. Climate scientists say that as the planet warms we can expect more winter rainfall in the West of Ireland, and more frequent extreme weather. No one can say for certain that the floods are caused by global warming, but they may be a foretaste of worse, more frequent floods to come if we do not act on climate change.
As I write, world leaders are gathering in Copenhagen for the UN climate change summit to agree what each country will do to reduce greenhouse gases and prevent runaway global warming. Last Sunday Nenagh churches came together on the eve of the talks to pray they will be successful. But we cannot afford to leave it all to governments and prayers must be matched by action. Now is the time for ordinary people to show that we are ready to defend our children’s futures.
What if we each cut 10% of our greenhouse gas emissions in 2010? What if we got everyone we know to do the same? And what if all this made governments sit up and take notice? Maybe this could be the first step towards a brighter future. Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but most of us can do it – and save on energy costs too. This might be the best New Years resolution any of us could make!
Nenagh Carbon watchers aim to support each other in reducing their household emissions, and to encourage others to do the same. Readers who want to help us can contact me or visit our web site http://nenaghcarbonwatchers.blogspot.ie.
Yours Sincerely
Joc Sanders
Chair, Nenagh Carbon Watchers
Dromineer
087 699 6775
Friday, December 11, 2009
The 10:10 Pledge – Cut 10% in 2010
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by climate change -
But we shouldn’t be! What if we each resolved to cut 10% of our greenhouse gas emissions in 2010? That’s a good start. What if we got everyone we know to do the same? And what if all this made governments sit up and take notice? Maybe this could be the first step towards a brighter future. Time to stop imagining. We can make it happen.
10% in 2010 can be done
Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but for most of us it’s an achievable one. We now know for certain that unless we act quickly to reduce our use of fossil fuels, humanity will face terrible problems in the years to come. Politicians have so far failed to do what needs to be done, so it’s time for ordinary people to step in and show that we’re ready to defend our children’s futures. It’s now or never for the climate.
We can make a difference
By working individually to a 10% target, in our homes, in our workplaces, our schools and our hospitals, our farms and clubs and universities, we’ll be backing each other up as we take the first steps on the road to becoming a zero-carbon society. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of a huge problem like climate change, but by uniting everyone behind immediate, effective and achievable action, we can make a meaningful difference.
To find out more and take the pledge visit www.1010.ie
A 10:10 Family Checklist
1 Fly less, holiday more
Swap plane for boat and train, holiday nearer to home and take fewer but longer trips – same tanning time, dramatically less carbon emissions.
2 Save 10% on heating
Turn down your thermostat, turn off radiators in hallways and more jumpers all round. Then apply for a grant to insulate your loft and walls. Use your bill to see whether you cut 10% in 2010.
3 Save 10% on electricity
Save big cash by changing light bulbs, replacing old fridges and freezers and always turning stuff off. Use your bill to compare 2009 usage to 2010.
4 Drive less
Leave your car at home one day a week. Walk, cycle or take public transport when you can. Join a car-club rather than owning your own and share a ride to work with a colleague or two. You’ll feel healthier too.
5 Eat better
In-season fruit & veg produce the least emissions – and the less processed the better. Buy locally produced food when you can, and support your neighbour. Grow your own.
6 Buy good stuff
Less stuff made = less emissions = less climate change. So buy high-quality things that last, repair broken stuff rather than chucking, buy and sell second hand and borrow your neighbour’s mower.
7 Dump less
Avoid excess packaging and buying pointless stuff that goes straight in the bin, recycle everything possible. Compost your scraps – the garden will love you.
8 Don’t waste food…
The average Irish family throws away €50 worth of food every month. So don’t buy or cook more than you need and eat up those tasty leftovers. With a smile on your face.
9 …or water
Your tap water uses lots of energy – and then heating it in your home uses loads more – so take showers rather than baths, be careful when watering plants and only run full dishwashers & washing machines.
10 Feel happier
It’s December 2010… you’re healthier for walking and cycling, you’ve made new friends from swapping stuff & car-pooling, you’ve saved a big chunk of cash… and you know you are part of the global effort to prevent catastrophic climate change.
But we shouldn’t be! What if we each resolved to cut 10% of our greenhouse gas emissions in 2010? That’s a good start. What if we got everyone we know to do the same? And what if all this made governments sit up and take notice? Maybe this could be the first step towards a brighter future. Time to stop imagining. We can make it happen.
10% in 2010 can be done
Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but for most of us it’s an achievable one. We now know for certain that unless we act quickly to reduce our use of fossil fuels, humanity will face terrible problems in the years to come. Politicians have so far failed to do what needs to be done, so it’s time for ordinary people to step in and show that we’re ready to defend our children’s futures. It’s now or never for the climate.
We can make a difference
By working individually to a 10% target, in our homes, in our workplaces, our schools and our hospitals, our farms and clubs and universities, we’ll be backing each other up as we take the first steps on the road to becoming a zero-carbon society. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of a huge problem like climate change, but by uniting everyone behind immediate, effective and achievable action, we can make a meaningful difference.
To find out more and take the pledge visit www.1010.ie
A 10:10 Family Checklist
1 Fly less, holiday more
Swap plane for boat and train, holiday nearer to home and take fewer but longer trips – same tanning time, dramatically less carbon emissions.
2 Save 10% on heating
Turn down your thermostat, turn off radiators in hallways and more jumpers all round. Then apply for a grant to insulate your loft and walls. Use your bill to see whether you cut 10% in 2010.
3 Save 10% on electricity
Save big cash by changing light bulbs, replacing old fridges and freezers and always turning stuff off. Use your bill to compare 2009 usage to 2010.
4 Drive less
Leave your car at home one day a week. Walk, cycle or take public transport when you can. Join a car-club rather than owning your own and share a ride to work with a colleague or two. You’ll feel healthier too.
5 Eat better
In-season fruit & veg produce the least emissions – and the less processed the better. Buy locally produced food when you can, and support your neighbour. Grow your own.
6 Buy good stuff
Less stuff made = less emissions = less climate change. So buy high-quality things that last, repair broken stuff rather than chucking, buy and sell second hand and borrow your neighbour’s mower.
7 Dump less
Avoid excess packaging and buying pointless stuff that goes straight in the bin, recycle everything possible. Compost your scraps – the garden will love you.
8 Don’t waste food…
The average Irish family throws away €50 worth of food every month. So don’t buy or cook more than you need and eat up those tasty leftovers. With a smile on your face.
9 …or water
Your tap water uses lots of energy – and then heating it in your home uses loads more – so take showers rather than baths, be careful when watering plants and only run full dishwashers & washing machines.
10 Feel happier
It’s December 2010… you’re healthier for walking and cycling, you’ve made new friends from swapping stuff & car-pooling, you’ve saved a big chunk of cash… and you know you are part of the global effort to prevent catastrophic climate change.
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