Bangladesh is drowning

[watervole]

This isn't the future, this is now. Climate change is destroying land in Bangladesh every year and the number of environmental refugees is rising steadily.

If you really want people in the West to understand the effect they are having here, it's simple. From now on, we need to have a system where for every 10,000 tons of carbon you emit, you have to take a Bangladeshi family to live with you. It is your responsibility.

The UK emits 500 million tons a year of CO2.  That means we, as a country, are making 5,000 Bangladeshi families homeless every year.  Not in some vague future time period.  THIS YEAR and every year from now on. 

The USA needs to take around 60,000 families every year; Australia around 3,000.


Of course, that's only from Bangladesh...

I won't bore you with the data on Pacific Islands, changing rainfall patterns in Africa and the effect on crops, the impact on poor people around the globe.  You can find the information yourself if you want to.

Here's a carbon footprint calculator to try.    I hadn't tried this one before, but was impressed by the sensible suggestions you get at the end.  I initially thought one of the suggestions was stupid, but upon reading the more detailed explanation I found that it did actually make sense.

Our household is currently around a third of the UK average CO2 emissions, but that figure is unusually good at present becasue Henry is at home from university - so our emissions are split between three people instead of two.  The easiest way to slash your CO2 rating is to have more people in the house.  (slightly tongue in cheek - take a lodger, save the planet!)

We also benefit from being a mid-terrace house, which really does help reduce the heating bills (although we also have excellent insulation).  The fact that Richard is currently working from home is a big bonus on the petrol consumption.  If he has to travel in future, then that would pull us up again.

(Remember, carbon offsetting is not the answer.  Around 95% of carbon offset schemes are probably achieving nothing of any practical use.)

Comments

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

That's a really useful explanation, thanks!

[pennski.livejournal.com]

Would that be the dishwasher suggestion? I found that a little odd - especially as there are only 2 of us.

I was surprised not to be quizzed on water usage for showers/ baths/ gardening/ car washing too.

I'm tempted to go and re-check the air travel stuff. Why do most of our friends live in America these days?

[watervole.livejournal.com]

It was indeed the dishwasher one. However, it does seem to be assuming that people wash dishes after each meal and also that they rinse with clean water. I do neither of these.

I think if you quiz everything, then people get bored and don't do the whole questionaire. Different carbon calculators tend to work on different factors.

We never wash the car, only use the bath if seriously dirty (like after rhodendron clearing) and have short showers when needed.

Air travel can be a real killer on your score. I have resigned myself to talking to my US and Australian friends on the phone rather than face to face.

Luckily, international phone calls are amazingly cheap. I'll be calling American tomorrow for 1/2 p a minute! (I use 18185)

[drplokta]

Well, as far as I can tell the UK does take in around 5,000 Bangladeshi families as immigrants each year. So, job done.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Except that the ones we take in aren't the ones who are losing land... (We tend to take the educated ones, not the poor ones)

[temeres.livejournal.com]

I've used that calculator before and once again it says my carbon footprint is slightly above the national average, despite being a carbon neutral traveller. 3.6 of my 4.7 tonnes are allocated to heating and hot water, and I think this might be something of an overestimate, given that I have one electric heater for the whole flat and I only use it in extremis.

Of course it would help if I had an accurate electricity bill, but I live on estimates because the meter is in the basement flat and not readily accessible.

I really ought to get a meter reading, though, since my estimated bills have shot up 250% over the last two quarters.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Erm.... I think you really really need to get a meter reading!

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Our estimated bill more than doubled earlier this year, and as it took me a while to notice, by the tme I gave them an up-to-date reading they had several hundred pounds of our money -- which will be drip-released back to us over the next several quarters. Or until we change supplier, which I suspect will happen considerably sooner.

I think this is becoming a semi-standard practice, basically just a cynical way of getting money off people and earning interest on it before they demand it back.

[temeres.livejournal.com]

Are you with EDF by any chance?

[watervole.livejournal.com]

I'm with RSPB energy.

[temeres.livejournal.com]

I was asking undyingking, actually.

There's an RSPB Energy?

[watervole.livejournal.com]

It's associated with Scottish Power which has a large % of hydroelectric power and it dontates money to the RSPB every year.

http://www.rspbenergy.co.uk/ForYourHome/RSPB/Default.aspx

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Southern Electric.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Demand a rebate right now. I've done that in the past and got it.

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Mm, I ought to really; it's summoning up the mental energy to do so.

[temeres.livejournal.com]

Okay, I've been through it again, this time putting in my inflated electricity bill, and my footprint has gone up nearly a tonne. Some very useful tips for getting it down: Insulate the loft, when I don't have a loft; Turn down the thermostat, when I don't have central heating; Get a dishwasher, when I can do half a week's worth of washing up in one bowl.

And I'm supposed to aim for a temperature of 19-20C in the living room and 18C in the bedroom. I don't have a thermometer but I'm pretty sure my comfortable ambient temperature is nearer 10-12C (if I have to take a sweater off, it's too warm). But at least they congratulate me for replacing more than half my light bulbs with low power ones, ie 3 out of 5. I'd stick a low energy one in the lounge as well but some wanker who lived her before me put it on a dimmer switch.

Oh, and well done me for 'frequently' using public transport. Twice a year apparently amounts to frequent usage.

[Shakes head, sighs, bangs head on wall, mutilates innosunt small fury animal ect...]