Why Should I Reduce My Carbon Footprint?
Published date: November 2024
There is always a big push in international news to reduce the world's greenhouse gas emissions with the message applying to nations and even individuals, but is it really necessary and worth it?
Here we will cover every angle to determine whether renewable energy is and reducing the UK's carbon footprint is truly worthwhile.
How much CO2 does the UK produce?
The UK is directly, indirectly and historically responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than we may realise. Many people believe that whilst we are a global powerhouse and leader in the developing world, we are also small and insignificant regarding climate change.
The UK's headline figure of 1% contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is misleading and needs to be put into a global context. This figure only takes into account our territorial emissions produced, so it doesn't account for anything beyond our borders; including flights, overseas activities, imported fossil fuels, trade goods and more. In fact, our total emissions are approximately double the headline figure of 1%.
However, if you take the 1% for territorial emissions at face value, the UK is still amongst the top emitting countries. Nearly a third of global emissions come from countries that contribute 1% or less to the global total. In 2021, we were 13th amongst the G20 nations for greenhouse gas emissions produced per capita and 11th for CO2 emissions per capita.
For context, China is normally the highly polluting benchmark that we put ourselves against to make our own impact on climate change seem small. However, China has a near identical CO2 emissions per capita to the UK and Australia which has a population 2.5x smaller than the UK's and produces more than twice the CO2 emissions and greenhouse gas emissions per capita.
Why is the UK's Cultural Impact on Climate Change so Important?
Historically, the UK is the world’s 5th largest greenhouse gas emitter, mainly due to the first industrial revolution that began burning fossil fuels in the 18th century. All the emissions emitted since then are still in our atmosphere and the carbon cycle of our planet.
The UK has been and will always be influential to the rest of the world, whether that be for or against climate change. Today, we are members of the most decisive international bodies on Earth, the G20, G7, UN Security Council and NATO. As well as being the first lawmakers to include emissions targets, with the Climate Change Act, which has since seen other nations do the same.
Since the first industrial revolution, the UK has also been at the forefront of the second and third revolutions, bringing electricity and electronics to the world. This level of influence and great wealth has allowed the UK to shape whole new markets in the 21st century.
Over the last 15 years, the UK has forged the world's largest market for offshore wind, lowering costs for consumers and increasing technological breakthroughs for innovative renewables.
Today, the world's most affordable wind power is generated and supplied in the UK, perhaps placing us at the forefront of the world's fourth revolution for clean technology.
However, you may think there are still flaws associated with renewables so let's discuss them.
Do Solar and Wind Power Work Without Sunshine and a Breeze?
Solar panels cannot generate new electricity in total darkness, nor can wind turbines generate new electricity in completely still conditions. However, solar and wind farms are designed with these facts in mind as there is battery stores connected to collect electricity and any excess from very productive days.
Wind speeds between 35mph and 55mph will often send energy to the battery to store as excess as it isn't needed in the national grid at that time.
Did you know?
- One rotation of a wind turbine generates enough energy to power your home for approximately 8 hours.
- A wind turbine cancels out its entire carbon footprint in just 8 months.
- Wind turbines automatically turn their blades off at wind speeds exceeding 55mph for safety. The flexion in the blades could cause them to strike the tower holding it up.
Similarly, solar panels are limited in generating new electricity as the sun's visible light and infrared rays must be present. Though even on the cloudiest, rainiest and darkest days, electricity is still being produced, just not as much as on a clear sunny day.
To curb this flaw, batteries are connected to solar panels to collect enough electricity to provide power overnight. They are designed to optimise supply and storage so that there shouldn't be a shortage of electricity.
This means that renewables shouldn't leave any home without energy, even if that's their sole supply. We have renewables dotted all across the UK where it is almost impossible for there to be no wind and no light during the day to supply the renewables portion of our national grid.
Is Renewable Electricity Making UK Energy Cheaper?
Yes, renewable energy is making energy generally cheaper in the UK, as fossil fuels are categorically more expensive. This is because they don't require fuel to run and mining or costly extraction processes. Plus, with increased investment and advancements in renewables over the last 15 years, the cost has continued to fall and will only continue to do so.
The issue is that dual-fuel energy is still largely determined by the price of natural gas which is roughly 50% imported.
Does the Planet need Man-Made CO2?
The carbon cycle has been a naturally occurring process ever since the Earth's atmosphere and seas formed billions of years ago. Fast-forward to modern Earth, Humans have steeply increased the concentration of CO2 in our atmosphere and oceans to its highest level in 3.6 million years and is the only point in our planets history where there has been an unnatural production of carbon dioxide.
In short, the planet's naturally occurring and self-sustaining carbon cycle does not need our additional CO2 emissions to function. Man-made greenhouse gas emissions are disrupting this natural cycle, resulting in unnatural climate change that our planet and organisms cannot adapt to.
What are the natural sources of CO2?
- Ocean outgassing
- Volcanoes
- Animals
- Decomposition
- Wildfires
How Could You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?
Switching your energy to 100% UK-generated renewable energy is one of the fastest and most effective ways of reducing your whole home's CO2 footprint.
Your Co-op Energy offers the UK's best-value renewable energy on a fixed, variable and community-powered tariff. You'll be cutting carbon with the comfort of having a Trustpilot Excellent-rated customer service team on hand.
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