{"id":27,"date":"2022-04-13T08:30:01","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T07:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/climate-action\/?p=27"},"modified":"2022-04-11T06:20:29","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T05:20:29","slug":"climate-change-can-one-person-really-make-a-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/sustainable-bath\/2022\/04\/13\/climate-change-can-one-person-really-make-a-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate change: Can one person really make a difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Climate Action Survey results: Most students and staff uncertain about the biggest environmental impacts in the fight against climate change\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The University\u2019s 2021 Climate Action Survey found a good level of community understanding on \u200b\u200bclimate change and individual carbon footprint \u2013\u00a0with results showing that there is more learning to be done when it comes to understanding the biggest impacts on individual carbon footprint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The survey found that <\/span>most<\/b><\/span>\u00a0respondents believe they have a good level of understanding of \u200b\u200bclimate change and their individual carbon footprint. However, the survey highlighted a lesser knowledge in the areas of net zero carbon and carbon offsetting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The survey results also showed some misconceptions about the impact of individual lifestyle choices and an opportunity for our community to go further in their efforts to lower their individual carbon footprint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the largest carbon footprint impacts for individuals?\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

Carbon footprint \u2013 a measure of the impact your activities have on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced through the burning of fossil fuels \u2013 and the subject of climate change can be overwhelming. The survey showed that our community\u2019s understanding of the biggest individual impact areas for climate change was, in parts, quite limited. The benefits of avoiding dairy products was significantly underestimated by both staff and students.<\/span><\/p>\n

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People power: Little changes can make a big difference to climate change<\/b><\/h4>\n

Everyone has a responsibility to slow down climate change and there are choices you can make in your day-to-day life to lessen your personal impact on the environment. So if you think you're powerless against climate change and that one person can't make a difference, think again.<\/span><\/p>\n

While governments and private sector businesses do have the largest role to play in halting the change, individuals and communities can still make a hugely positive impact. Small actions that you take today, tomorrow and every day thereafter will not only benefit your environment but also your health and your wallet. The most difficult part is knowing which changes you can make will <\/span>actually<\/i><\/b> make a difference in the future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In recent years, the University has started to <\/span>address its own carbon footprint<\/span><\/a> and as a result, has already reduced its carbon emissions by 35% and cut energy and water use by \u00a31m. But we know we can \u2013 and will \u2013\u00a0do more, so we will be covering more of the University's climate change actions in future blog posts.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to build collective climate impact through individual actions\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n