Climate change
What is climate change?
The earth’s climate is changing due to
gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO²) building up in the atmosphere
and trapping heat. This is called the 'greenhouse effect'
because heat from the sun is retained in the atmosphere,
resulting in warmer conditions throughout the planet - this is
similar to the way that real greenhouses work.
CO² is released by burning fossil fuels, such
as coal, gas or oil. Deforestation also affects the levels of CO²
in the atmosphere as there are less trees to absorb the gas.
The diagram below explains the 'greenhouse
effect'.
The Nottingham Declaration
In 2007 Broxbourne Council signed the
Nottingham Declaration, recognising the need to address climate
change. This document is a commitment to tackle climate change
within the Council’s own activities and to offer leadership to the
community.
Because of this effect, the gases that cause
the changes are known as “greenhouse gases”. Carbon Dioxide (CO²)
is the main contributor, although other gases have similar effects.
CO² is released by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, gas or oil.
Deforestation also affects the levels of CO² in the atmosphere as
there are less trees to absorb the gas.
The ways in which greenhouse gases affect the
atmosphere is complicated and occurs slowly. The world will
experience climate changes in the next 30-40 years as a result of
historic greenhouse gas emissions and climate change later. There
is global concern that increases in greenhouse gases will
raise the overall temperature of the earth and cause permanent
damage to life on earth.
To reduce this impact, governments are making
new laws to cut emissions.
The environment in the Borough of Broxbourne
A study on the
environment in Hertfordshire by the Environment Agency in 2010
identified the following about the Borough of Broxbourne:
- lowest energy consumption in the county;
- lowest emissions per capita from the industrial and commercial
sector in the county; and
- household water use has declined in all districts except
Broxbourne.
The 2011 Census identified that 82.5 per cent of households in
the Borough of Broxbourne use a car.
Broxbourne's Climate Change Strategy
To address the effects of climate change, the
Council has put in place a Climate
Change Strategy.
The Council appointed a
Climate Change Panel to undertake a prioritised work programme
relating to climate change and carbon reduction during 2010/11. The
membership of the Panel was comprised of Councillors R.Clemerson
(Chairman), G.Clark, J.Pearce and M.Watson. Mrs Jan
Metcalf was appointed as a co-opted member of the Panel. The
Panel met between September 2010 and May 2011.
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