Garry Charnock: How to Reduce Your City’s Carbon Footprint
So: Trump and the Republicans are a nightmare for the planet. They’re not just pig-headed ignorant- they’re actively malicious. But the world hasn’t ended yet, and there’s still much we can accomplish. Take the town of Ashton Hayes for example:
Garry Charnock, a former journalist and trained hydrologist, makes a compelling case for doing the opposite. Charnock, who lives in the English village of Ashton Hayes, has made headlines, along with his neighbors, for their decade-long volunteer-led project to become Britain’s first carbon-neutral village; their efforts have led to a 24 percent drop in emissions. Following a write-up in the New York Times last summer, Charnock was named one of Foreign Policy’s leading global thinkers of 2016. Hundreds of communities have reached out to Ashton Hayes for guidance since they got started with the project, and the town’s website is essentially a blueprint; it includes a community carbon calculator developed by the University of Chester, personal stories and advice for lowering household emissions from community members, and an in-depth guide for getting your own community project started.
Twenty-four percent is very impressive. Here is an interview, where he sketches out what they accomplished and how they did it. And here is the town’s website, with a more in-depth guide. A few tips:
-Work small. Focus on nearby communities; it’s easier for people to grasp.
-If they don’t care about the environment, emphasize the economic benefits. The Ashton Hayes school managed to cut their power bill in half.
-Do what is both beneficial and saves money. If you need the heat, just turn it down a bit. The same for your fridge. If you’re boiling water, just boil what you need.
I’ve already started gathering information for my workplace. If it works out, maybe it could a new start for the whole town.