Year ends with record-high CO2 level in the atmosphere

Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii (USA) Atmospheric CO2 was 387.27 parts per million (ppm) in the last month of 2009, according to scientific data released January 7, 2010, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States. Atmospheric CO2 was 385.54 ppm one year earlier in December 2008.

The 2009 annual mean concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere was 387.35 ppm, up from 385.57 ppm in 2008.

These rising levels are significantly higher than the natural range (~180 ppm to 300 ppm) that existed for at least 2.1 million years until the start of the industrial revolution. [reference]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the chief human-made greenhouse gas that fuels global warming, climate change and ocean acidification. The main anthropogenic source of CO2 emissions is the use of fossil fuels for energy. Atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise with on a year-over-year basis because carbon emissions from human sources exceed the capacity of the land and oceans to absorb it.

The absorbtion of CO2 by oceans is a natural process that both slows the rate of global warming and puts damaging quantities of carbonic acid in the oceans. The most direct thing that people can do is make decisions and take actions that actually reduce and eliminate the addition of more invisible CO2 into the atmosphere.

Top British firms drag their feet to reduce carbon footprint

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) launched in 2000 to collect and distribute high quality information that motivates investors, corporations and governments to take action to prevent dangerous climate change.

The CDP's latest report shows that the Green House Gases (GHG) reduction targets set by FTSE 100 carbon intensive sectors fall far short of reductions required by UK Climate Change Act.  This shows the lack of lack of ambition from companies in the energy, materials and utilities sector. This will threaten government plans to cut emissions by 2020.

The CDP report found that 77% of FTSE 100 companies said they have a target to reduce emissions, with an average annual reduction rate of 2.5%. That compares well with the 2.4% annual reductions on overall emissions that Britain needs to make to achieve a legally binding target of 34%-42% reductions by 2020, relative to 1990 levels.

However, the average annual emissions reductions planned by the firms in the energy, utilities and materials sectors total 1.2%. There are only 24 of these companies in the FTSE 100, but they account for 87% of all FTSE 100 reported emissions.

Joanna Lee, CDP's director of communications and corporate partnerships, said: "Across the board, companies are doing pretty well. But what's most striking is that if you look at the three most heavily polluting sectors, they are lagging significantly behind. If we are going to deliver on climate change targets these companies need to take more aggressive action."

The report, published today, says there is a "carbon chasm" between what is planned by the firms and what is required. It says: "The targets set by the most carbon intensive sectors, responsible for the majority of FTSE 100 emissions, are not sufficiently ambitious and will not deliver reductions required by the UK climate change act."

It adds: "Clearly, UK regulation is sending strong signals to companies of the necessity to manage carbon, but as many of these companies operate globally, we also need a strong global framework to create the right incentives to set sufficiently strong targets." The report is based on voluntary targets set by firms during 2009, before the climate conference in Copenhagen in December failed to establish a new global treaty. Analysts say the lack of such a treaty could make companies more reluctant to take on more rigorous targets.

"These carbon intensive sectors will need to take on more aggresive targets if they are to deliver in line with government commitments," the report says. The CDP analysis showed that almost a third of company targets were based on reductions in carbon intensity, rather than absolute cuts in greenhouse gas pollution. Cuts in carbon intensity allow firms to increase overall emissions, while appearing to have gone green, the report points out.

"Companies should set company-wide targets for the reduction of their absolute level of emissions," it says. "Climate change can only be mitigated by a reduction in absolute emissions... therefore companies setting intensity targets should complement these with absolute targets."

>>>Source; The Guardian

Top 10 Eco New Year Resolutions

Make next year that year you make being green a habit and countdown to 2010 with the environment in mind. Check out our top ten New Year resolutions to help you conserve the planet and the cash in your wallet this New Year.

1. Cleaning without toxic chemicals is a wonderful way to turn your home into a healthy and healing place to be in the New Year. Unfortunately, over past decades the ever-expanding store of home cleaning products has included a number of dangerous weapons, loaded with strong, artificial colours and fragrances and harsh cleansing agents like bleach, ammonia, alcohol and more.

At MoreEco, they have a great range of eco shops that sell green cleaning products at great prices. There are a great range of green cleaning product ranges such as Ecover, Method and Bio D that are just as effective as the traditional chemical laden products you find on supermarket shelves. And don’t forget multi buy and bulk options to save you even more money.

2. Stop using the refrigerator that is ten years old and get an appliance recommended by the energy saving trust instead. You will drastically cut down your carbon emissions by doing so. Try eco appliances around the home –as well as doing a great clean they will cut your energy bills.

For instance, check out the new Ecolectric PerformAir 1000w Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner for a spotless and healthy carpet. As well as being packaged in recycled and 100% recyclable materials, it has an economical 1000w low energy motor leading to a 50% energy saving, helping to reduce your energy bills but without compromising on performance. It is a great vacuum cleaner! 

3. Every household in Britain produces more than a ton of waste annually, almost 80 per cent of which is buried in landfill sites, polluting ground water and producing gases that contribute to climate change and global warming. You may already recycle the waste you produce, but what about not producing it in the first place? Try and buy in bulk! These retailers sells many products in bulk quantities to save you money and reduce packaging by refilling old containers.

4. Shun at least one non-green product all year. Make it something that you really like, but can live without it but would purchase if it were more eco-friendly. You can always write to the company that manufactures this product and tell them why you now choose not to buy it

5. Not so fantastic plastic! Stop drinking bottled water. Drinking tap water reduces your carbon footprint, landfill rubbish and saves you money. Need water for the gym – buy a reusable bottle!

6. The best resolution to make for the earth is to use the car less or get rid of it altogether. Walk, bike, use public transit or car share. The emissions and money saved will be immense! The World Wildlife Fund advocates going car free one day each week.

Get out of your car and find an alternative way to work one day a week. 1 in every 2 of us drive to work each and every day. Think what would happen if we all left our cars at home just one day a week and walked, rode our bike, or took public transportation instead. We would have cleaner air to breathe, less traffic, and a smaller carbon footprint to boot.

7. Insulate your hot water cylinder. Water heating is the single biggest energy consumer in the average home. Cut your power bill and reduce the energy your household uses by investing in a wrap for your hot water cylinder.

8. Grow your own to beat the credit crunch. Make sure the only crunch you feel is the bite of your home-grown vegetables next year with a great range of grow your own seeds, tools and accompaniments . As well as tasting great, you could save money, get fit, do your bit for the environment and be super-trendy all at once.

9. To make it easy to switch off chargers and electronic equipment when you’re not using them, get a standby buster to switch off all your machines and equipment. It will help you save electricity and money! Check out our range of energy savers here.

10. Don't make Earth Hour a once a year event - commit to switching off your appliances at the wall and turning out any unnecessary lights. Use energy saving light bulbs in every light 

Green Events 2010

2009 was a great year for eco and green events in the UK.

From large must-attend events such as the One Life Show and the Green Gathering Festival to awareness weeks such as Birdwatch Week and National Earth Day and more business orientated events like Sustainabilitylive, these events demonstrated the increasing interest in saving the environment.

Here are just a few of our favourite eco events coming up in 2010. If you have a green events you wish us to add please email us at greenevents@moreeco.com.

Eco Home - 13th October 2009 - 7th February 2010, Geffrye Museum, London

This exhibition hopes to address, without preaching, widespread and increasing concerns about ecology and the state of the planet and how this links to our homes and the way we use, decorate and inhabit them. It will examine current ideas around ‘eco-living’ in an informative and timely way. The climate change agenda is having an impact on almost every area of life and the home is no exception.

>>>Link

NAFSO National Conference - 3rd-6th Jan 2010

Promoting learning outside the classroom through environmental partnerships. There will be opportunities to hear expert speakers talk about the topics that matter most to schools when it comes to outdoor play. Spreading the message about the importance of outdoor learning

>>>Link

Big Schools’ Birdwatch – 18th Jan to 1st Feb 2010,

The world’s biggest bird survey, the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch – now in it’s 30th year.

>>>Link

Fair Trade Fortnight - 22nd Feb - 7th March, 2010

This year's Fairtrade Fortnight (22 February - 7 March) is going to be the most ambitious two weeks yet. We want one million and one people to join us in The Big Swap. We'll be asking the nation swap their usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff; your usual wine, sugar, or oranges for Fairtrade wine, sugar or oranges. Each swap will be proof that the UK wants developing world producers to get a better deal. Register here and get swapping.

>>>Link

EcoBuild - 2nd - 4th March 2010, Earl's Court, London

Ecobuild is the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment. Combining an 850 exhibitor-strong product showcase with more than 100 free conference and seminar sessions and dozens of interactive educational attractions, Ecobuild connects formal learning with practical experience, and with products and suppliers.

Almost 35,000 visitors attended Ecobuild 2009, including some of the most influential organisations and individuals responsible for some of the most valuable construction projects across the UK and beyond.

>>>Link

One Life Live 2009 - 18th to 21st March 2009

Do you long to do something different with your life? If you’re stuck in a rut and feel it’s time to make a change, come to One Life Live 2009 and get the inspiration, advice and practical support you need to make it happen.

Whether you long to retrain for a new career, want to take a career break to travel or volunteer overseas, dream about becoming your own boss or simply feel in need of a achieving a better work/life balance – you’ll find the answers at One Life Live 2010.

>>>Link

Chorlton's Big Green Festival - 27th March 2010

The issue of climate change and resource depletion is getting too big to ignore now and we want everyone to realise that living a more sustainable lifestyle doesn't haven't to be solemn or boring. We want people to feel empowered by their decision to live more sustainably and that small steps can make a big difference. Chorlton's Big Green Festival is currently being planned for 2010, to get involved make sure to contact the organisers!

>>>Link

UK Aware - 16th and 17th April 2010, Olympia Two, London.

UK Aware is unique, established and respected. UK Aware '10 will bring together 200 exhibitors, 15,000 visitors, 100 low carbon vehicles and over 50 world class guest speakers.

Exhibitors will be showcasing thousands of products and services ranging from cars to computers, from fashion to food and from travel to advice services.

>>>Discounted Tickets

Earth Day - The 40th Anniversary – April 22nd 2010

Marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

>>>Link

Real Food Festival – 7th to10th May 2010, Earl's Court

Discover some of the best food and drink from small producers from around the world. Tastings, workshops and more.

>>>Link

Walk to School Week - 17th - 21st May 2010

Walk to School Week is an action-packed awareness week in spring each year. We encourage parents, teachers and local authorities to run fun events and activities to raise awareness about walking to school. Each year we set a new theme and produce loads of bright and colourful resources to go with it and to help you take part!

>>>Link

Sustainabilitylive! - May 20th to 22nd, 2010

Sustainabilitylive! taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 19 – 21 May 2009, is the UK’s largest forum for excellence and innovation in environment, water, energy and land.

>>>Link

Green Festival – Saturday 22nd May, 2010

Planning is underway for the Green festival in 2010. 2009's festival was a big hit and the planners are currently looking for a theme for this years festival!

>>>Link

World Environment Day - 5th June 2010

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

>>>Link

Brighton Naked Bike Ride 2010 – June 13th

In June 2010, in cities around the world, people will be riding bikes naked to celebrate cycling and the human body. The World Naked Bike Ride demonstrates the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and is a protest against car culture.

>>>Link

Recycle Week – 21nd to 27th June

It’s easy to get involved this Recycle Week which is organised by Recycle Now. We can all help by doing anything from re-using our carrier bags to recycling old electrical items – remembering to put as much of our recycling out, reducing our food waste and home composting of course! However you choose to waste less, it’s easy, it helps the environment and you might even save money in the process.

>>>Link

National Shed Week - 9th to 14th July 2010

“Do you have a garden shed that is unique?” asks Uncle Wilco head sheddie of readersheds.co.uk. “Maybe it’s your own little bolthole away from the trials of life. Maybe you have converted your humble garden building into a pub, or it’s just a normal wooden building that’s special to you.”

>>>Link

Fiddler's Green International Festival - 18th - 25th July, 2010. Rostrevor, Northern Ireland.

The Fiddler's Green Festival has come a long way in the last 24 years. It began as a one day event, progressed to a weekend one and now extends to eight days and seven nights of music, culture and craic. With up to 200 events the festival caters for music fanatics, families who wish to enjoy a safe, child focused festival, and those who come just to soak up the scenery, the friendliness and the free outdoor music. Based in the scenic village of Rostrevor, preparations for the 24th festival are well in hand.

There will be free outdoor ceilis, an open air stage, art exhibitions, children's entertainment and even a literary pub crawl, with the emphasis on 'literary' rather than 'crawling'! All musical tastes are catered for (folk, blues, country, classical), with lunchtime, early evening and night time folk clubs Each year the Festival bestows two special awards; the Hall of Fame Award which celebrates lifelong achievement in Irish Music, and the Creative Arts Award to acknowledge achievements in the Arts and Literary fields, the first award having been presented to poet laureate Seamus Heaney. The recipients of these awards are traditionally named closer to the Festival's formal launch.

>>>Link

The Big Tent 2010 – Saturday 23rd-Sunday 24th July 2010

Scotland's biggest eco festival. The Big Tent Festival of Stewardship, will be held in Falkland, Fife - expect a return of activities like the Climate Challenge Ceilidh, Earth Climate Champion's Zone, Earth Action Talks sponsored by WWF Scotland, a Family Zone, a brand new Wood Zone, plus the return of our celebrated Food Village.

>>>Link

National Allotments Week - 9th to 15th August 2010

A week to promote awareness and availability of allotments both locally and nationally as well as showing the public and the local authorities the strength of support and interest for the heritage of allotment culture.

>>>Link

Croissant Neuf Party - 13th-15th August 2010

Greenest festival of the year 2009 The Croissant Neuf Summer Party is brought to you by the team responsible for one of the oldest features of Glastonbury festival - The Croissant Neuf Solar Powered Venue.

As well as great music expect internationally renowned street theatre, workshops of all kinds from dancing to bushcraft, open mic sessions, sports activities, and more.

>>>Link

World Water Week - 5th to 11th September 2010

Experts from 100 countries are assembled this week in a global effort to improve human; welfare and the planet’s health.

>>>Link

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer - 16th September 2010

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer – reflects the urgent need to preserve the ozone layer, which filters sunlight and prevents the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, thereby preserving life on the planet.

>>>Link

World Carfree Day - 22nd September 2010

World Carfree Day is an annual celebration of cities and public life, free from the noise, stress and pollution of cars.

>>>Link

World Toilet Day 2010 - 19th November

Did you know there is currently a world sanitation crisis? Hard to believe that 2.5 billion people do not have somewhere safe, private or hygienic to go to the toilet! World Toilet Day is all about raising this sort of awareness and converting awareness into action.

Our partners WaterAid work hard to educate people on this serious issue and to enable some of the worlds poorest people to gain access to effective sanitation. It’s not just having a safe, clean place to go to the toilet that’s important but washing your hands after too! The simple act of washing hands with soap and water after going to the toilet can reduce diarrhoeal diseases by over 40%.

To read more about this worldwide call to action follow the link below.

>>>Link

Buy Nothing Day - 27th November, 2010

Everything we buy has an impact on the environment, Buy Nothing Day highlights the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism. The developed countries - only 20% of the world population are consuming over 80% of the earth's natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage, and an unfair distribution of wealth.

As consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies who produce them. What are the true risks to the environment and developing countries? The argument is infinite - while it continues we should be looking for simple solutions and Buy Nothing Day is a good place to start.

>>>Link

Big Green Gathering - 2010 – dates not yet confirmed.

What is it? The Big Green Gathering is a 5 day camping event which is currently located in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. It has grown out of the original Green Gatherings of the 1980’s and the Green Fields of Glastonbury Music Festival. It has developed organically in response to a desire from people within the green movement for a festival that was focused on Green issues.

>>>Link

Newcastle Community Green Festival – Date not yet confirmed, 2010

The North's biggest free environmental festival. In 2008 they had over 16,000 visitors and if you're on the lookout for a weekend of fun for all the family then look no further! The weekend festival is jam packed full of top class entertainment, workshops, activities and music to suit all tastes and ages. Combining the weird and the wonderful to spread the environmental message.

Their aim is to promote positive solutions to environmental problems and raise awareness of green and ethical issues. From mad-cap bike powered music stages to a solar powered cinema – they have something for everyone! The festival takes place in the picturesque setting of Leazes Park – a 5 minute walk from the city centre. Check the site in the new year for details of dates etc.

>>>Link

Peace One Day – Date not yet confirmed, 2010

To some it’s just a single day. But to us, 21 September is a 24 hour-long platform for life-saving activities around the world and an opportunity for individuals - particularly young people - to become involved in the peace process. 21 September is the UN International Day of Peace, a day of global ceasefire and non-violence: Peace Day.

By 2007, the UN estimated that over 100 million people from all walks of life actively supported Peace Day around the world. That same year, Peace One Day was instrumental in securing the conditions by which mass polio vaccinations could be carried out in Afghanistan on Peace Day; 1.4 million children were vaccinated in some of the most remote areas of the country. And in 2008, an additional 1.6 million were treated. That’s an estimated 3 million children in Afghanistan alone - on Peace Day.

On Peace Day 2008 in Afghanistan the United Nations Department for Safety and Security, which monitors security related incidents, recorded a 70 per cent reduction in violent incidents on the day itself.

Please follow the link for more information.

>>>Link

If you have a green events you wish us to add please email us at greenevents@moreeco.com.

Eco Shopping Sale Time

If you wish to save money these holidays and also earn cashback, then visit MoreEco's Latest Offers blog for the best deals around..

You can save money and earn cashback at Ethical Superstore, Ascension, Gossypium and Natural Collection.

Copenhagen Climate Change - Key Points

A US-led initiative called the Copenhagen Accord has formed the centre-piece of a deal at UN climate talks in Copenhagen, despite some countries' opposition. Below is an explanation of the main points in the agreement.

1. Legal Status
The Accord, reached between the US, China, India, Brazil and South Africa, contains no reference to a legally binding agreement, as some developing countries and climate activists wanted. Neither is there a deadline for transforming it into a binding deal, though UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it needed to be turned into a legally binding treaty next year. 

The accord was merely "recognised" by the 193 nations at the Copenhagen summit, rather than approved, which would have required unanimous support. It is not clear whether it is a formal UN deal.

2. Temperature Rise
The text recognises the need to limit global temperatures rising no more than 2C (3.6F) above pre- industrial levels. The language in the text shows that 2C is not a formal target, just that the group "recognises the scientific view that" the temperature increase should be held below this figure. However, the accord does not identify a year by which carbon emissions should peak, a position resisted by some richer developing nations. Countries are asked to spell out by 1 February next year their pledges for curbing carbon emissions by 2020. The deal does not spell out penalties for any country that fails to meet its promise. 

3. Financial Aid
The deal promises to deliver $30bn (£18.5bn) of aid for developing nations over the next three years. It outlines a goal of providing $100bn a year by 2020 to help poor countries cope with the impacts of climate change. The accord says the rich countries will jointly mobilise the $100bn, drawing on a variety of sources: "public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources of finance." 

A green climate fund will also be established under the deal. It will support projects in developing countries related to mitigation, adaptation, "capacity building" and technology transfer.

4. Emissions Transparency
The pledges of rich countries will come under "rigorous, robust and transparent" scrutiny under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In the accord, developing countries will submit national reports on their emissions pledges under a method "that will ensure that national sovereignty is respected." 

Pledges on climate mitigation measures seeking international support will be recorded in a registry. 

5. Review of Progress
The implementation of the Copenhagen Accord will be reviewed by 2015. This will take place about a year- and-a-half after the next scientific assessment of the global climate by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). However, if, in 2015, delegates wanted to adopt a new, lower target on global average temperature, such as 1.5C rather than 2C, it would be too late.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

COP15 - Copengagen Climate Change Summit Summary

Between the 7th and 18th December the MoreEco News Team have posting news, videos, pictures summaries from COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference which took place at Bella Center in Copenhagen.

Below is are the links to all the posts made

• A Copenhagen Accord it is
• Day 12 Summary
• Day 11 Summary
• Important Climate Change Websites
• COP15 – Latest Videos – The Cube, Kids from Age of Stupid and The Limos
• Day 10 Summary
• Day 9 Summary
• Climate Change Skeptics
• This is About Us
• Day 8 Summary
• Talks in Chaos
• COP15 – More Video’s
• Weekend Summary
• Day 5 Summary
• Day 4 Summary
• COP15 – More Pictures
• Day 3 Summary
• Andy Cato Blogs for Act on Copenhagen
• Day 2 Summary
• Day 1 Summary
• The Impact of Global Temperature Rise – Interactive Map
• COP15 – Pictures

Highest CO2 level for November in at least 2.1 million-years

Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii  (USA)   Atmospheric CO2 was 385.99 parts per million (ppm) in the month of November 2009, according to scientific data released December 7, 2009, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States.  Atmospheric CO2 was 384.11 ppm one year earlier in November 2008.   These rising levels are significantly higher than the natural range (~180 ppm to 300 ppm) that existed for at least 2.1 million years until the start of the industrial revolution. [reference]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the chief human-made greenhouse gas that fuels global warming, climate change and ocean  acidification.  The main anthropogenic source of CO2 emissions is the use of fossil fuels for energy.  Atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise with on a year-over-year basis because carbon emissions from human sources exceed the capacity of the land and oceans to absorb it.   The absorbtion of CO2 by oceans is a natural process that both slows the rate of global warming and puts damaging quantities of carbonic acid in the oceans.   The most direct thing that people can do is make decisions and take actions that  actually reduce and eliminate the addition of more invisible CO2 into the atmosphere.  

More
>>> Click here to see the full set of Mauna Loa monthly mean CO2 data   
>>> About the seasonal cycle for atmospheric CO2
 

X56P724WEH8N