This is a public awareness document, regarding different actions that we can take for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Climate Change
W hat can we do to reduce our
footprint?
Lavinia Andrei

2. Climate change
• Climate is a measure of the average pattern of variation in
temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind,
precipitation, atmospheric particle count and other
meteorological variables in a given region over long
periods of time.
• Changes in climate are natural (due to Volcanoes,
Tectonic plate movement, Changes in the sun): e.g. after
sun)
the last ice age (11,500 years ago) global temperatures
were 5°C lower than now.
• Now we are experiencing temperature rises at
unprecedented speed.
• Scientists believe that human activities are responsible for
this, due to the releases of the “greenhouse gases” into
the atmosphere.

3. Climate change facts
• Extreme weather events – storms, floods,
droughts and heat waves – becoming
more frequent and more severe;
• 90% of natural disasters in Europe since
1980 caused by weather and climate;
• Europe’s glaciers have lost two-thirds of their mass
since ... 1850 – and the trend is accelerating;
• Polar ice is melting and sea levels are rising at double
....the rate of 50 years ago;
• Millions of people around the globe threatened with
....water shortages, hunger and poverty.

4. What’s the cause?
• Humans are pumping more ‘greenhouse gases’
into the atmosphere mainly due to the fossil fuel
combustion;
• The atmosphere acts like the glass walls of a
greenhouse;
• Natural greenhouse gases help retain heat –
without them, temperatures would be 30°C lower
• But man-made greenhouse gases emissions up
70% since 1970, meaning more heat trapped.

5. What can you do to fight it?
Simple everyday actions play a major role in the
fight against climate change:
• Reduce energy consumption
• Use more renewable energy
• Reduce fuel for transportation
• Use a better waste management system
• Save water
• Use local and green products
• Greening your area

6. Reduce energy consumption (1)
• Lower the temperature of your
heaters by a degree or two;
• Use a timer, so the heating is only
on when you need it;
• Don’t set the refrigerator to its
coldest setting;
• Insulate your house.

7. Reduce energy consumption (2)
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Use natural light;
Turn off lights when you don’t need them;
Don’t leave appliances on standby;
Use efficient bulbs;
Replace equipments with high energy
consumption (refrigerator, air conditioning etc).

8. Reduce energy consumption (3)
• Don’t run washing machine or dishwasher half
full;
• Take a shower instead of a bath;
• Boil only the amount of water
you need;
• Cover your pots when cooking;
• Don’t leave the refrigerator door open;
• Don’t open your windows for too long in winter.

9. Use more renewable energy
• Use solar, geothermal or wind for
producing electricity, heating
or cooling for your house.

10. Reduce fuel for transport
• Don’t use the car for short
journeys;
• Walk, cycle or use public
transport;
• Share car journeys;
• Drive efficiently;
• Check your tyre pressure;
• Take the train instead of the plane.

11. Use a better waste management
system
• Reduce your waste;
• Re-use materials and
equipments;
• Recycle materials and
equipments (paper, glass,
wood, textile etc);
• Produce and use compost;
• Use waste as a resource.

12. Save water
• Insulate the pipes and fix the equipments;
• Buy water saving appliances and toilets;
• Installing low-flow shower heads.

13. Use local and green products
• Buy and use local
products;
• Use your regional
markets;
• Consume ecological
products;
• Help and encourage
local producers.

14. Greening your area
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Plant trees;
Protect the forest;
Prevent forest fires;
Green you urban
environment.

15. Acting now!