Concluding Blog Post

Four months, 13 posts and many hours of research later it is time to conclude the blog.

In the beginning of my blog adventure the goal was to explore how behaviour adjustments in my individual life would impact the climate and hereby investigate what I as individual could do to help reduce my climate impact. I was fully aware, that in the end it takes political top steering and global governance to make structural global differences, but tackling the problem through practical bottom-up initiatives was an inspiring way to create attention and try to influence ones surroundings to make behavioural changes. Changes, that in the end could make a difference.

The blog evolved into an exploration of a wide range of topics addressed at a small and large scale with a common topic: anthropogenic climate change.

By for example researching environmentally friendly food, watching Colin Beavan’s documentary No Impact Man, reviewing David Owen’s book Green Metropolis and understanding the concept of carbon footprint I have addressed climate initiatives tackled at a local level. These issues explore climate change at a consumer level.

To explore climate change at a larger scale I have written a post on Copenhagen’s Climate Plan, which has given an understanding of the specific actions done to become CO2 neutral in 2025.  In continuation I have focused biking. At the same scale I have posted an infographic, made by Sustainable Cities Collective, comparing metropolitan cities’ climate actions. These are issues, which need to be targeted at a political level.

I have gotten an understanding of the public’s perception of climate change by exploring the physiological and social attitudes associated with climate change. The media plays a crucial role in the public’s perception of climate change. It is therefore important for climate scientist to communicate their message efficiently to educate the public.  There is a need for a better communication pathway between the experts and the public. Social media events such as 24 Hours of Reality are ideal to create public awareness and spread knowledge about climate change.

In the end it all comes down to one thing: the entire society is affected by the changing climate. Climate change is one of the defining challenges of the 21^st century and can possibly have a major negative impact on future generations.  A reality we need to face and act upon. It is a responsibility shared by three actors: the government, businesses and consumers. As a consumer, we do have the power to put pressure on the policy makers to enforce regulations. In effect society will automatically adapt to these laws and regulations, which forces the consumer and thereby the businesses to do what is right. Together we must acknowledge and prioritise climate change before its too late. 

Green Revolution

Sustainable Cities Collective has made an infographic, investigating which metropolitan cities are embracing the Green Revolution.

Click on the infographic to enlarge the image.

Sustainable Cities Collective is an independent, moderated community for leaders of the large metropolitan areas who look at urban planning and sustainable infrastructure. The collective provide resources for people interested in urban planning, sustainable development focusing on transportation, building practices community planning to learn how cities are becoming smarter and greener in the 21st century (SustainableCitiesCollective, 2012).

How about carbon labelling?

An abundance of information makes it difficult for the ordinary consumer to understand and interpret the climate impacts of products.

Results from a survey conducted in 8 countries in 2008 show that 33 % of consumers wish to or are buying green products. The major problem seems to be consumer’s lack of understanding of the environmental impacts of their actions and products (Vandenbergh et al., 2011).

A private carbon-labelling programme developed by the Carbon Trust is a starting point in guiding the consumer in understanding the carbon emissions of products. Carbon Trust Certification Limited provides independent and objective certification of product carbon footprint measurements. Giving companies and brands the possibility to measure their products’ footprints- and environmental impact (Carbon Trust).

The scientific article, Time to try carbon labelling by Michael P. Vandenbergh et al. published in Nature Climate Change, states that labelling products through the supply chain can influence both corporate supply chains and consumer behaviour, in effect filling the climate-policy gap.

A carbon-labelling programme could reduce carbon emission by:

• ·      Influencing consumer choices
• ·      Encourage firms to identify efficiencies throughout the supply chain

However, challenges arise in labelling the climate effects of the entire product life cycle as there are uncertainties in the calculations. This is an active area of research, but it important to address that it comes down to the consumer having reliable, not perfect, information. More importantly is the label design to be simple to interpret, and therefore not require more mental mathematics than comparing the carbon footprint between two products.

To improve the information the consumer has at present it is ideal to take advantage of new technologies. An example is smart-phone barcode-scanner apps to access data on carbon profiles of a product and its alternatives (Vandenbergh et al.,2011).

 

Private efforts are often criticised for undermining effective public measures, however the opportunity cost of a global labelling system is small (Vandenbergh et al.,2011).

Carbon labelling is not sufficient in meeting targets but they can affect consumer actions, and modest changes in the household sector can significantly reduce emissions. 

Bedtime story

A short, effective ad on climate change made by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Understanding Climate Change

The majority of people believe global warming is happening, but many do not understand why.

According to an American national study conducted by researchers at Yale University found that only 57 % of the population know what the greenhouse effect is and only 45 % understand that carbon dioxide traps heat from the Earth’s surface. Americans recognize their limited understanding where only 1 in 10 say that they are “very well informed” about climate change, and 75 % say they would like to know more about climate change (Science Daily, 2010).

A survey conducted on the public understanding of climate change and global warming on residents in the south of England show a tendency for the public to detach themselves from the causes, impacts and responsibility for tackling climate change/global warming (Whitmarsh, 2009). The public lack individual engagement in tackling the issue of climate change by distancing themselves from the issue, despite understand it is happening (Sharples, 2010).

The complexity of the science behind climate change contributes to the public pushing the responsibility away. It is therefore thought-provoking that experts believe the information about climate change is sufficient and appropriate (Sharples, 2010). There is a need for a better communication pathway between the experts and the public.

It is essential for the climate community to take advantage of the opportunities in the social media when informing the public about climate change as the media heavily influences the public’s opinion on the topic. Events like 24 Hours of Reality are ideal in creating publicity and spreading knowledge about climate change.

The video below is an ideal example of a good way for scientists to inform the public about climate change. The information is communicated in a simple, fast technique contributing to making the concept of global warming easy for the public to grasp.

I believe a fast and improved adaptiation to social media is necessary for the scientific community to increase the public's awareness and engagement in the fight against climate change.