Blog Action Day 2009

It is not just about what governments do; we all have to take responsibility to cut emissions from our homes, our cars and our places of work. (See below for the source of this quote.)

We will always have climate change couch potatoes with us, but let's not let them stop the rest of us from making progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The IPCC synthesis report concluded that not only will the global average temperature rise significantly as a result of climate change, but the frequency and magnitude of extreme events will increase. Among other things, the report pointed out that

• it is very likely we'll see increases in the frequency of heat waves and heavy precipitation,
• it is likely we'll see more tropical cyclones, i.e., hurricanes, and
• there is high confidence that many arid and semi-arid areas will have fewer water resources than they do now.

From December 7 through December 18 representatives of nations from around the world will converge on Copenhagen to negotiate a successor to the Kyoto protocol. Today more than 9300 bloggers around the world, including UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, are making posts like this one¹ urging world leaders to action as part of Blog Action Day 2009. Gordon Brown has good people working for him, and rather than to suggest something of my own, I'm just going to quote a little of his post today:

I will go to the talks in December if it means we will get an agreement and I am urging other leaders to join me. But it must be the start of something not the end.

And it is not just about what governments do; we all have to take responsibility to cut emissions from our homes, our cars and our places of work.

Sarah and I are trying to do our bit. In Downing Street, we are composting, recycling, using energy-saving light bulbs and buying locally-sourced and sustainable food whenever possible. It's little things like this which will make a big difference if we all do them.