Climate change is a challenge, say Scots

AN OVERWHELMING number of Scots believe climate change is "one of the most important challenges facing the world", according to a poll.

The survey of more than 1,000 Scots, commissioned by Catholic aid agency Sciaf, found that 88 per cent of women and 84 per cent of men tended to agree or strongly agreed this was true.

Just 6 per cent of men and 2 per cent of women "strongly disagreed" while 5 per cent of both sexes tended to disagree.

It was published as the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) issued a report on "Why Scotland must act now to combat climate change".

"Scientific evidence suggests that, if we are to maximise our chances of avoiding catastrophic climate change, greenhouse gas emissions need to peak and substantially fall within the next five to ten years," the report said.

"There is a narrow window of opportunity which must be seized by individuals and by our political leaders."

It called on the Scottish Government and parliament to take seven measures such as including aviation and shipping in greenhouse gas targets and establishing a carbon fund to give financial incentives to reduce emissions.

The report said the onus was on developed countries to "take the lead" on reducing emissions, saying the UK and Scotland had made "disproportionately large contributions".

India has more than 16 per cent of the world's population, but produces just 4 per cent of emissions, Brazil emits seven times more than Scotland but its population is 37 times higher, while the average Chinese person produces 3.6 tonnes of compared to the UK average of 9.6 tonnes.

"In 2005, just one of Scotland's power stations, Longannet, emitted more than 10 sub-Saharan African countries – Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi, Chad, Comoros, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Mali and the Central African Republic," the report said.

"In fact, we estimate that Scotland emits more emissions than the combined total of most of the countries in which Sciaf works."

AWARE AMY Vs GREEDY GEORGE: HOW GOING GREEN MAKES A DIFFERENCE

GREEDY GEORGE
• CHILDHOOD: Wears disposable nappies as a baby and is driven to nursery and primary school in his parents' four-wheel drive car. Gordon also leaves computers, stereos, televisions and video game machines on for hours when not using them. Instead of putting on a jumper, he turns up the heating in his room. Family holidays involve flights to France and Egypt.

• EARLY ADULTHOOD: Buys a seven-year-old old Ford Escort as a student, flies to Thailand on holidays. On getting a job, he upgrades to a VW Golf GTI, goes to a large out-of-town shopping centre, buying food from all over the world, and takes holidays in Spain.

• FAMILY MAN: Buys a Volvo V70 estate car, food bill and miles rise as children are born. Holidays are in the United States. Children leave home, reducing emissions, but Gordon buys a Mercedes Benz S500 and now holidays in Peru. He consumes 33kg of food from around the world a week, resulting in 4,370kg of greenhouse gases a year from transport costs.

• RETIREMENT: Buys a Jaguar XJ8, takes annual holiday in New Zealand.

• DEATH: Chooses a brushed steel coffin and elaborate concrete catacomb.

Lifetime emissions of greenhouse gases: 1251 tonnes

AWARE AMY
• CHILDHOOD: Wears washable nappies, saving 12kg of greenhouse gas emissions a year, compared with disposables. Parents take her to nursery by bicycle and she later goes to school by bus. Family holidays are in UK towns, such as Plymouth and Chester. Amy turns off appliances after using them.

• EARLY ADULTHOOD: As a student, she uses a bicycle and public transport to get about, stays in UK for holidays. Sets her computer to go to sleep mode when inactive for more than a few minutes. Uses low-energy light bulbs. On getting a job, buys energy-efficient appliances, insulates her well-designed home, recycles and composts, buys local food.

• FAMILY WOMAN: Arrival of children sees increase in emissions, with amount of food bought rising to 33kg a week. Buying local food limits rise in emissions from transport costs to 147kg a year. Holidays spent in Skegness and exploring home city.

• RETIREMENT: Uses public transport to get around and continues to holiday in UK.

• DEATH: Buried in a hessian sack.

Lifetime emissions of greenhouse gases: 370 tonnes

TIME TO TAKE THE PLEDGE FOR A GREENER SCOTLAND
THE Scotsman and the Scottish Government are running a joint campaign to persuade people to change the way they live to help fight climate change.

The "Let's Go Green Together" campaign is asking people to sign up to one or more of the following pledges:

&149 recycle household waste using locally provided facilities;

&149 turn the tap off when brushing teeth;

&149 switch to using energy-saving light bulbs;

&149 leave the car at home at least once a week and cycle, walk, share a car, or use public transport more often;

&149 use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones;

&149 reuse carrier bags when you shop;

&149 buy more seasonal and unpackaged food;

&149 hang your washing up to dry, rather than using a tumble-dryer;

&149 organise or volunteer in an environmental project in your community;

• and/or pay back the environmental impact of any flights you take and choose not to fly when there's a suitable alternative.

Anyone wanting to join the campaign can sign up through The Scotsman by e-mailing [e-mail] with your name, where you are from, the pledges you plan to try. We would also like to hear what you think about the issues generally.