Environmental literacy articles
Net Zero by 2027 – part 9
The first stage is to work out the quantity of greenhouse gases we contribute to the world total and this is the end of that process.
We’ve committed our micro-business to being Net Zero by 2027. This series of videos follows our progress as we work out how to achieve this. The first stage is to work out the quantity of greenhouse gases we contribute to the world total and this is the end of that process. Here, we reveal the revised total that takes into account the adjustments we made after our sense check of the data revealed a couple of issues.
Net Zero by 2027 – part 8
In this video, we reveal the result of our initial calculation and the total mass of greenhouse gases we emit.
In this video, we reveal the result of our initial calculation and the total mass of greenhouse gases we emit. Spoiler alert! It is not a big total, which is both a relief and a challenge. But sense checking the result reveals a couple of minor issues we need to resolve before we reach an outcome that we’re happy with.
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Net Zero by 2027 – part 7
We’re getting close now! Here we are looking at the indirect costs to the business. That is, the things we buy, our use of transport, professional services and software.
We’re getting close now! Here we are looking at the indirect costs to the business. That is, the things we buy, our use of transport, professional services and software. These comprised more than 90% of our expenditure in the financial year 2021-22. For our micro-business, much of the information we needed to calculate our greenhouse gas emissions was relatively easy to find. For other, more complex businesses it will take more time and more resources!
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Holidays
Holidays are beneficial to our health and wellbeing. Apart from the impact of the way we travel to our destinations, there are decisions we can make about the activities we take part in while on holiday.
Holidays are beneficial to our health and wellbeing. Apart from the impact of the way we travel to our destinations, there are decisions we can make about the activities we take part in while on holiday. In this video, Karen looks at how we can all help to reduce the emissions associated with the tourist industry.
Net Zero by 2027 – part 6
More data entry! Now we need to enter details about our gas and electricity use for the business to the online form.
More data entry! Now we need to enter details about our gas and electricity use for the business to the online form. As the business operates from part of our home, we need to make some assumptions and do some maths to work out the proportions of energy costs to allocate.
Net Zero by 2027 – part 5
Now that we are ready to start the calculation of our greenhouse gas emissions, we need to decide which of the calculators we will use.
Now that we are ready to start the calculation of our greenhouse gas emissions, we need to decide which of the calculators we will use. There are many available but, having decided, we explain the information required to set up an account, such as number of employees, turnover and energy use. We also discuss other decisions we need to make so that we arrive at as accurate a calculation as possible.
Net Zero by 2027 – part 4
As a provider of online training materials we expect that our use of computers and other electronic devices will contribute a significant proportion of our emissions.
This is the final video outlining our preparation for calculating our emissions of greenhouse gases. Here, we look at our use of technology. As a provider of online training materials we expect that our use of computers and other electronic devices will contribute a significant proportion of our emissions. It is easy to think that data storage in the cloud has no impact on the greenhouse gases we emit, but all those data centres need a lot of electricity!
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Net Zero by 2027 – part 3
We are calculating our emissions for our financial year 2021-22 and identify that Brexit and Covid-19 had a significant effect.
In this video, we continue to assess our business to prepare for calculating our emissions of greenhouse gases. We look at our use of energy for business travel. We are calculating our emissions for our financial year 2021-22 and identify that Brexit and Covid-19 had a significant effect. Other aspects to take into account are what we spend on goods and consumables for the business.
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Net Zero by 2027 – part 2
Now that we’ve signed up to the SME Climate Hub and made our public commitment to Net Zero, the next stage is to gather information about our business.
This video gives an overview of our operations as a starting point for calculating our emissions of greenhouse gases. Now that we’ve signed up to the SME Climate Hub and made our public commitment to Net Zero, the next stage is to gather information about our business. This includes our key activities, working arrangements, type and size of building that we work in, equipment used and our energy use.
Net Zero by 2027 – an introduction
We’ve signed up to the SME Climate Hub and committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2027. We are doing this alongside thousands of other small businesses.
We’ve signed up to the SME Climate Hub and committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2027. We are doing this alongside thousands of other small businesses who are making similar commitments but with other target dates. In this series of videos, we are sharing our progress. We’re doing this to help others see what is involved and how we overcome any issues that we come across during the process.
Water use, part 4
It is now later in the day and the ways that Angie saves water during her evening routine are demonstrated as well as how she makes use of the water she has saved throughout the day.
Karen returns to the example of Angie and her family for the last time in this series of Suggestion Box videos. It is now later in the day and the ways that Angie saves water during her evening routine are demonstrated as well as how she makes use of the water she has saved throughout the day.
Cling film
Cling film or cling wrap is widely used as a cover for food. However, as it is not always easy to recycle, it contributes to land fill where it takes a long time to break down.
Cling film or cling wrap is widely used as a cover for food. However, as it is not always easy to recycle, it contributes to land fill where it takes a long time to break down. In doing so, toxic chemicals are released. Some of the ways to reduce its use in the home are suggested here.
Food: dairy
The dairy industry is a big contributor to the world’s carbon emissions, with dairy products being widely available and included in diets all over the world.
The dairy industry is a big contributor to the world’s carbon emissions, with dairy products being widely available and included in diets all over the world. In this video we look at some ways in which farmers are working to reduce the emissons of their herds and suggest some choices for those who do not wish to exclude these products from their diets completely.
Planting trees?
Karen looks at the option of offsetting carbon emissions. She mentions the various projects available. One of these is the popular option of tree-planting schemes.
In this Suggestion Box Karen looks at the option of offsetting carbon emissions. She mentions the various projects available. One of these is the popular option of tree-planting schemes. However this should be a last resort, after steps have been taken to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible. Viewers are encouraged to look at other videos in the Suggestion Box series for ideas on how to achieve lower emissions.
Toiletries
Toiletries can have a positive effect on our well-being. They help us to smell and feel nice. However this comes at a cost to the environment.
In this video Karen acknowledges that the use of toiletries can have a positive effect on our well-being. They help us to smell and feel nice. However this comes at a cost to the environment. Karen suggests some ways to reduce this while still being able to feel the benefits of such products as shower gel, shampoo, aftershave and deodorants.
Water use, part 3
Angie works part time and in this Suggestion Box we look at steps she takes to reduce water use while at work.
In parts 1 and 2 of our water use series, we discussed the ways in which we can save water during our early morning routines. We used the example of Angie, a single Mum with two school aged children. Angie works part time and in this Suggestion Box we look at steps she takes to reduce water use while at work.
Food: fruit and vegetables
In general, vegetables have a lower impact on the environment than meat and there is a wide range of readily available vegetables for us to choose from.
In general, vegetables have a lower impact on the environment than meat and there is a wide range of readily available vegetables for us to choose from. Here we look at ways in which the environmental impact of our diets can be lowered even further. Examples are taking care to choose vegetables that are in season and preferably produced locally.
Electronic waste
If computer and other electronic waste is not disposed of properly, it adds to landfill. In breaking down, it releases toxic substances into soil and water.
In this video we look at ways to reduce electronic waste. If computer and other electronic waste is not disposed of properly, it adds to landfill. In breaking down, it releases toxic substances into soil and water. In this video we look at some options for extending the life of appliances to avoid sending them to landfill, reducing the environmental impact of this type of waste.
Recycling is an option but this should be a last resort.
Cleaning chemicals
It is important to keep our homes and workplaces clean and tidy. However, many common cleaning chemicals contain chemicals that do harm to the environment.
It is important to keep our homes and workplaces clean and tidy. However, many common cleaning chemicals contain chemicals that do harm to the environment. Some are also packaged in materials that cannot be recycled. We explain the effects in this short video and make some suggestions for changes we can make to reduce the environmental impact of keeping clean.
Upcycling
Here we offer some suggestions for reducing your environmental impact by turning items which are broken or no longer wanted into something else. This can be a fun way of prolonging the life of the materials.
This video looks at upcycling as part of our series of hints and tips. Here we offer some suggestions for reducing your environmental impact by turning items which are broken or no longer wanted into something else. This can be a fun way of prolonging the life of the materials. It also helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.
Environmental literacy
Entertainment