Helping the environment

The past 12 months may have blurred your views on climate change and who knows what the ''truth actually is any more. However, whether you think we are the cause behind the world''s ever changing climate or not, we can be certain that carbon dioxide is not beneficial for our health and the health of our natural environment.

Every citizen in the UK produces an average of 9.7 tonnes of CO2 a year. However, according to scientists at the Carnegie Institute of Washington in America the real amount of CO2 we ''''produce'' could be much higher.

These scientists claim carbon footprints of developed nations are actually much bigger if we take into account the amount of CO2 used to manufacture the goods for export in developing countries. This has been the basis of China''s argument for not ratifying the Kyoto Protocol or setting firm and binding agreements in Copenhagen.

The UK has the third highest carbon emissions from imports in the world the after the US and Japan. America, because of its insatiable appetite for consumerism is way ahead with 699 million tonnes a year from imports. Japan is marginally higher than the UK with 284 million tonnes to Britain''s 253 million tonnes but this figure is higher than any other European country.

Climate change is a global problem and this research highlights that it mustn''t be looked at in isolation and simply along national borders. Up until now at least, domestic economies have been ignoring a large part of the problem, therefore it isn''t surprising that we are struggling to find a solution.

China has good reason to push this argument as 1.4 billion tonnes of its total CO2 emissions come from the manufacture of goods for export. The UK is a service based imports therefore its CO2 emissions will be lower than a country such as China who''s economy is based on manufacturing.

So what does this mean for me, you say? Just because you may be thinking more environmentally friendly about you own emissions; maybe switching to energy efficient light bulbs, turning down the thermostat and recycling as much as possible, the products you consume may be a causing a much bigger problem.

Think about where the product came from and how much energy was used to make it before you buy it. If it isn''t ''effective'' i.e. the energy uses to produce the item outweighs its value then you should think twice before making that purchase.

The best way to do this is to buy an high-efficiency condensing boiler that will result in lower energy consumption, therefore lower CO2 emissions. In fact, you can save over 1000kg of CO2 a year by upgrading from a G-rated to an A-rated boiler. So after a few years, your emissions will be that much less that they will have effectively ''offset'' the emissions used to make the boiler. Always remember that energy is used to produce an item as well as to use it.

Article Source: http://www.casinoarticlessite.com

Herb Davidek is the author of this article about boiler installation. Visit British Gas to find out the latest gas and electric prices for UK residential and business customers.

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