On 15 December 2008, the Australian Government announced its emissions reduction targets - an unconditional commitment to a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions from 2000 levels by 2020, with a commitment of up to a 15% reduction if other developed countries agreed to similar cuts.
Emission reductions of even 15% will not be enough to prevent dangerous climate change. At that level it is quite possible that within our lifetimes we will see the Greenland and West Antarctic icesheets melt (leading to sea level rise measured in metres), the death of the Great Barrier Reef and the displacement of tens of millions of people.
If the government will not commit to taking decisive, inspiring action then we must. Personally reducing our carbon emissions as much as possible and encouraging others to do the same is the best response to the government's disappointing action.
So ride your bike, switch to green power and ask your friends and family to join the North Brisbane CRAG!
17 December 2008
11 December 2008
Australians' average emissions
Interesting to see how CRAG members stack up to the Australian average for CO2 emissions. We ranged from 2.6 tons to 14.5 tons, largely depending on how far people had flown in the year - amazing what a difference a long-haul flight can make! (and watch this space for ideas for carbon-friendly holidays).
According to the University of Sydney's Centre for Integrated Sustainability Analysis, the average Australian is responsible for 2.4 tons of CO2-e from car travel, 3.3 tons from home energy use and 0.75 tons from air travel, for a toal of 6.45 tons of CO2-e.
[CO2-e stands for CO2 equivalent, which is the combined global warming effect of CO2 and the other greenhouse gases (methane, for example).]
According to the University of Sydney's Centre for Integrated Sustainability Analysis, the average Australian is responsible for 2.4 tons of CO2-e from car travel, 3.3 tons from home energy use and 0.75 tons from air travel, for a toal of 6.45 tons of CO2-e.
[CO2-e stands for CO2 equivalent, which is the combined global warming effect of CO2 and the other greenhouse gases (methane, for example).]
First meeting of the North Brisbane CRAG
We are up and running! Our first meeting was held on Monday the 8th, with 7 enthusiastic people getting together to eat almond M&Ms, estimate their 2008 emissions and talk about the way forward. Quite a few people who wanted to come couldn't make it, and their support is greatly appreciated!
The discussion was wide-ranging, as we talked about ideas for caps on emissions, how to approach fees for exceeding the cap and a host of other issues. The big revelation from estimating our 2008 emissions was how much air travel blows your carbon budget! Local holidays are definitely the way to go for the carbon-concerned.
The next meeting will be in February, and it would be great to see a host of new faces. Let's aim big and go for 30 members by the next meeting!
Carbon-neutrally yours
Omar
The discussion was wide-ranging, as we talked about ideas for caps on emissions, how to approach fees for exceeding the cap and a host of other issues. The big revelation from estimating our 2008 emissions was how much air travel blows your carbon budget! Local holidays are definitely the way to go for the carbon-concerned.
The next meeting will be in February, and it would be great to see a host of new faces. Let's aim big and go for 30 members by the next meeting!
Carbon-neutrally yours
Omar
02 December 2008
Why even reduce your carbon in the first place?
Put simply, it goes like this:
Carbon dioxide (and other gases) in the earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, warming the planet in a similar way to a greenhouse traps heat and warms the plants inside.
Up to a point this greenhouse effect is a good thing - without it the earth would be too cold to support human life.
However, if too much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases get into the atmosphere, the earth's temperature keeps increasing to a point (which we have now reached) where the climate and weather patterns of the planet are affected. Most of these effects (like more droughts, and fiercer storms) are detrimental to humans. The greater the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the more extreme the effects.
Carbon dioxide gets into the atmosphere in a number of ways, but since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s, a lot of that has come from burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil. When these fuels are burnt, they release carbon dioxide.
In Australia, burning fossil fuels to produce electricity and to power motor vehicles and aircraft are two of the leading contributors to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. By reducing the amount of electricity that we use, and by reducing our use of cars and air travel, we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that we put into the atmosphere.
It will take a concerted, inspired global effort to reduce fossil fuel use if we are to reverse global warming, but it can be done!
Carbon dioxide (and other gases) in the earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, warming the planet in a similar way to a greenhouse traps heat and warms the plants inside.
Up to a point this greenhouse effect is a good thing - without it the earth would be too cold to support human life.
However, if too much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases get into the atmosphere, the earth's temperature keeps increasing to a point (which we have now reached) where the climate and weather patterns of the planet are affected. Most of these effects (like more droughts, and fiercer storms) are detrimental to humans. The greater the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the more extreme the effects.
Carbon dioxide gets into the atmosphere in a number of ways, but since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s, a lot of that has come from burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil. When these fuels are burnt, they release carbon dioxide.
In Australia, burning fossil fuels to produce electricity and to power motor vehicles and aircraft are two of the leading contributors to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. By reducing the amount of electricity that we use, and by reducing our use of cars and air travel, we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that we put into the atmosphere.
It will take a concerted, inspired global effort to reduce fossil fuel use if we are to reverse global warming, but it can be done!
23 November 2008
First meeting of North Brisbane CRAG!
So to get things kicked off, we'll be having our first meeting on Monday 8 December 2008 from 7-9 at 2 Broadway Street, Red Hill.
The agenda will be fairly simple - estimating carbon emissions for 2008; finding out more about CRAGs and how they work; and talking about how we want to do things. We won't make any binding decisions or commitments - just start the conversation going!
RSVP to nb.crag@gmail.com or 0413 664369.
The agenda will be fairly simple - estimating carbon emissions for 2008; finding out more about CRAGs and how they work; and talking about how we want to do things. We won't make any binding decisions or commitments - just start the conversation going!
RSVP to nb.crag@gmail.com or 0413 664369.
About the North Brisbane CRAG
About us
The North Brisbane CRAG is still in its infancy! The first meeting will be held in mid-December at Red Hill, with a view to starting discussions about how the CRAG will work, chatting about carbon-reduction ideas and estimating people's emissions for 2008.
The CRAG will kick off proper in 2009, with emissions being calculated from January to December. I'd hope to have monthly meetings, starting from late-January/early-February 2009 once I'm back from a carbon ration-busting trip to the Middle East!
Why join?
To give yourself a concrete target for reducing your CO2 emissions, and to benefit from the support and ideas that you can get from a group. It can be a hard slog when you're trying to go green all by yourself, so why not make things a bit easier. Plus, the more the merrier - we aim to make reducing our carbon footprints fun, too!
Get in touch
If you're interested in joining, you can get in touch with me (Omar) at NB.CRAG@gmail.com or on 0413 664369 - I'd be more than happy to answer any questions that you have!
The North Brisbane CRAG is still in its infancy! The first meeting will be held in mid-December at Red Hill, with a view to starting discussions about how the CRAG will work, chatting about carbon-reduction ideas and estimating people's emissions for 2008.
The CRAG will kick off proper in 2009, with emissions being calculated from January to December. I'd hope to have monthly meetings, starting from late-January/early-February 2009 once I'm back from a carbon ration-busting trip to the Middle East!
Why join?
To give yourself a concrete target for reducing your CO2 emissions, and to benefit from the support and ideas that you can get from a group. It can be a hard slog when you're trying to go green all by yourself, so why not make things a bit easier. Plus, the more the merrier - we aim to make reducing our carbon footprints fun, too!
Get in touch
If you're interested in joining, you can get in touch with me (Omar) at NB.CRAG@gmail.com or on 0413 664369 - I'd be more than happy to answer any questions that you have!
CRAGs - The basics
What is a CRAG?
A CRAG (Carbon Reduction Action Group) is a group of people who have decided to get together and voluntarily limit the amount of carbon dioxide that they emit. CRAGs are a great way to motivate, support and inspire people to take action to reduce their CO2 emissions.
For more about CRAGs visit http://www.carbonequity.info/crags/index.html.
How does a CRAG work?
At the start of each year, members of the CRAG agree on a cap on each member's CO2 emissions for that year (for example, 4 tons of CO2 per year). Members then calculate their CO2 emissions from private motor vehicle use, household energy use and private air travel. Members who exceed their cap pay an amount agreed in advance (5 cents per kilogram, for example). Simple!
A CRAG (Carbon Reduction Action Group) is a group of people who have decided to get together and voluntarily limit the amount of carbon dioxide that they emit. CRAGs are a great way to motivate, support and inspire people to take action to reduce their CO2 emissions.
For more about CRAGs visit http://www.carbonequity.info/crags/index.html.
How does a CRAG work?
At the start of each year, members of the CRAG agree on a cap on each member's CO2 emissions for that year (for example, 4 tons of CO2 per year). Members then calculate their CO2 emissions from private motor vehicle use, household energy use and private air travel. Members who exceed their cap pay an amount agreed in advance (5 cents per kilogram, for example). Simple!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)