Act: Reduce

Reducing the GHG emissions for which you are responsible should be satisfying but will probably sometimes seem a thankless task. But never forget that other people will be watching you, and that you wield a lot of influence. One of the most signifi cant gains from reducing your own climate footprint is the example you set. A couple of instances are the abandoning of CFC spray cans after the Montreal Protocol, which sharply reduced ozone-damaging gases, and the banning of polystyrene foam containers by well-known fast-food restaurants.

One of the strongest arguments for reducing GHG emissions is that it will often save money. Energy prices across the world are rising, making it harder to afford to travel, heat and light homes and factories, and keep a modern economy ticking over. So it is both common sense and climate sense to use energy as sparingly as possible.

When the example comes from people or groups who already enjoy high public standing, the results can be even more far-reaching. For many people today, some of the most infl uential people are footballers. So when the British club Ipswich Town chose to do something about climate change by becoming carbon-neutral, a lot of people were watching. The club worked out that it produced 3200 tonnes of CO2 every season and successfully off-set this by asking supporters to make specific pledges to save energy. The
incentive was football-based: when the club hit its target of 14000 pledges, it was rewarded with a significant sum of money towards transfers by its main sponsor. The fans were encouraged to reach the target by committing themselves to take simple steps like using public transport and high-efficiency light bulbs and turning down their boilers, while some of the players turned to car-pooling. Another club, Manchester City, has begun producing its own energy, building a wind turbine to provide all the electricity for its stadium, and selling the additional 20 per cent surplus.

You do not need to be a football club to encourage others. As an individual you will reach your friends and neighbours, as a small company your clients, as a multinational your suppliers and customers, as a city of course your inhabitants but also other towns and the same is valid for countries (see CN Net).

94 KICK THE HABIT THE CYCLE – REDUCE