# data[].attributes.headline
Blank Participant Details and Evidence Form

# data[].attributes.subject
Blank Participant Details and Evidence Form

# data[].attributes.body
Please click the document image above to download the Participant Details and Evidence Form. This needs to be completed and returned to us when you have completed the training sessions.

# data[].attributes.body
Our very own Emma Burlow's NEW podcast, Straight Talking Sustainability! Available on:

Apple

Spotify

Other great listens:

BBC Radio 4 - 39 Ways to Save the Planet

Outrage and Optimism

Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts

TED Climate

My Climate Diet

BBC World Service- The Climate Question

For What It’s Earth

# data[].attributes.body
We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes from your day to complete our internal feedback form and write us a public review on Trustpilot.

Microsoft Forms- Internal Feedback

Lighthouse Sustainability- Trustpilot

This will enable us to improve the training into the future.

Thank you!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
MRIO Release

We have made the headline results from our Multi-regional Input-Output model (MRIO) freely available, along with best practice guidance on its use in supply chain emissions assessments and on its integration with Life Cycle Analysis. We have done this to enable robust, transparent, practical and compatible company supply chain emissions reporting.

Briefing Paper on GWP*

In our paper, "GWP*: Applications & Misapplications," we focus on methane emissions' distinct role in global warming. Exploring CO 2 and methane differences, we caution against GWP* misuse. In the context of agriculture, we stress the need to consider land use and water footprints for improved sustainable land management and food systems.

Our research and consultancy pushes for systemic change.

We prioritise the areas where we think we can have the most leverage. These include business transition, carbon reduction, carbon modelling, technology, research & education, communication, sustainable investment and food & land use.

A dedication to truth is at the heart of all our work. Without a culture of greater honesty, it is almost impossible to imagine progress on the world's greatest challenges.

Click through our site to learn more about our work, to view some of our past and present clients, and to meet our team.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Small World Consulting | Sustainability Consultancy | Mike Berners-Lee | Bailrigg, Lancaster University, UK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Small World Consulting exists as a response to the climate and ecological emergency. Leading scope 3 carbon accounting specialists and sustainability strategy consultancy based in the North West of England.

# data[].attributes.headline
£50 credit when you switch to Octopus Energy (£100 for business accounts)

# data[].attributes.subject
£50 credit when you switch to Octopus Energy (£100 for business accounts)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Octopus customers pay less: Cheaper than price-cap prices, rewards for using less when the grid is stressed, and smart tariff savings for your home, car or battery

# data[].attributes.body
1. Watch Sir David Attenborough's documentary Climate Change - The Facts (1 hour)

For international learners, please see the link to the documentary on Vimeo here.

If you are not able to access iPlayer or are short of time, there are shorter clips on YouTube.

2. Complete the personal Carbon Footprint Calculator (15 minutes).

# data[].attributes.body
1. Explore Carbon Map (5 mins)

2. Watch How can business survive climate change? | The Economist (20mins) and COP26 Mia Mottley PM of Barbados and/or Vinisha Umashankar – Earthshot winner (both 5-6mins)

3. Read Climate change: IPCC report is 'code red for humanity' - BBC News and 10 Big Findings from the 2023 IPCC Report on Climate Change (WRI)

# data[].attributes.body
Delve deeper into the topics covered in your course.

# data[].attributes.body
This Padlet holds everything that you need to:

learn more about climate change

access the slides from the course (including references)

write us some feedback

connect with us on social media

Scroll right on the Padlet for more content.

If you need anything else, or have any queries, please contact hello@lighthouse-sustainability.co.uk

# data[].attributes.body
Lighthouse Reading List

How Bad are Bananas?  - Mike Berners-Lee

There is No Planet B - Mike Berners-Lee

Drawdown - The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming - Paul Hawkin

The Future We Choose - The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisis – Christiana Figueres / Tom Rivett-Carnac

Net Positive - Paul Polman

You Can't Make Money From a Dead Planet: The Sustainable Method for Driving Profit - Mark Shayler

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The fight for a habitable planet is the fight for our lives. But while we look at ways to make our lives more sustainable, most of us are also funding environmental catastrophe.

During the 7 years following the Paris Agreement, the world's top 60 private-sector banks pumped $5.5 trillion into fossil fuels.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Find Ethical & Sustainable Banks In Your Area - Bank.Green

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bank.Green is sounding the alarm on the climate-destroying activities of banks while recommending sustainable alternatives and empowering consumer action.

# data[].attributes.headline
Session slides will appear after you have completed each day of training.

# data[].attributes.subject
Session slides will appear after you have completed each day of training.

# data[].attributes.body
Contact emma@lighthouse-sustainability.co.uk for a personal referral to Dan at My Mother Tree.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
70% of all carbon emissions come from 100 companies.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Calculate your environmental footprint and learn how you can reduce your impact with WWF's Footprint Calculator.

# data[].attributes.body
Lighthouse is based on firm foundations. We have been guiding businesses from start-ups to household names for 25 years and along the way we have gained a crew of knowledgeable, resourceful, and insightful people, who we can rely on to give the best advice and support.

Emma, the founder of Lighthouse, loves to train people. She’s on a mission to train an army of individuals who can give us the best chance of minimising our future impact on the planet. Since 2021, Emma has led the team to deliver more than 75 courses and train more than 800 learners.

For more information, please visit https://lighthouse-sustainability.co.uk/

# data[].attributes.body
https://uk.linkedin.com/company/lighthouse-sustainability-ltd

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/emmaburlow

http://twitter.com/lighthousesltd

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Manish Karkera & Guy Griffiths (Institute for Environmental Analytics)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Visualising how the climate has changed for every country across the globe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ecosia - the search engine that plants trees

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ecosia uses the ad revenue from your searches to plant trees where they are needed the most. By searching with Ecosia, you're not only reforesting our planet, but you're also empowering the communities around our planting projects to build a better future for themselves. Give it a try!

# data[].attributes.body
Shine: Share learning and inspire others
Guide: Experienced strategic support for decision makers
Equip: Robust research and skills, and strong networks
Foundations: Bespoke training and coaching for all

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
University of Cambridge Sustainable Food Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Your request has been taken into account.

An email has just been sent to you with a link to download the resource :)

Dedicated to all companies wishing to measure, manage, and reduce their CO2 emissions at an affordable price. Join the movement!

The world's #1 solution to start your net zero journey

Scope 1,2 and 3

First step to your climate engagement is to measure your company's CO2 emissions each year, to better reduce them then.

Activity-Based

Seek out Activity-Based factors that employ your real activity data as this will provide you with robust measurements.

Spend-Based

Greenly has developed a technology for automated analysis of the carbon impact of activities via Spend-Based method.

Benchmarking

Get a thorough analysis of your emissions on our dashboard and compare yourself with other players in your industry.

Supplier involvement

Push your suppliers to engage in a reduction process, to improve your own carbon footprint.

Employee involvement

Our experts define a customised action plan to help you take effective steps towards reducing emissions.

Connected software

Greenly synchronises with most of your business tools, whatever your job or activity is.

Location-based data

Add details from your electricity contracts for the most accurate energy usage data, with Greenly and Electricity Maps.

Stay updated

To make sure you're relying on the latest data, we regularly update databases to reflect the most recent emission factors.

User management

Add new users in order to better manage your Carbon Footprint.

Expert by industry

The largest knowledge base available thanks to hundreds of GHG Assessments and the centralisation of public databases.

Optimal Security

We hold SOC certification and comply with ISO 27001 standards, which means that your data and value chain is secure.

+1,500

customers make a concrete commitment to the climate

+10

countries currently served by our expert teams

+28M

t.CO2eq are managed and monitored by our experts

+5M

emissions factors aggregated from customers & industry databases

Secure carbon data that meets the highest standards

We take everything into account to give you precise outcomes. And we do it fast

Dedicated climate experts just for you

Greenly's secret recipe: state-of-the-art technology coupled with a team of climate experts to support you at every stage of your company's transition to a sustainable model.

Discover our Services

Take advantage of our expertise.

Add up profits and time savers by choosing Greenly

Compare our solution to those available on the market.
Find out more

Compare Greenly with...

Use Greenly for your company: save and working days.

Methodology note - > Digital solution : Greenly has developed a algorithm guaranteeing a 100% categorisation rate. Other similar companies only reach a 70 to 80% rate, hence more time is needed to complete the GHG inventory.

Trusted by the most ambitious climate leaders

Leading industry analysts say Greenly is the best software provider for automating carbon accounting and financial disclorures.
Read the full report

The climate compass - Navigating the Path to Sustainability

Stay up-to-date on sustainability topics with our monthly updates and never miss a beat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Greenly: The go-to carbon accounting platform for your business

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With Greenly's Carbon Management platform: measure, reduce, report and offset your carbon emissions for a cleaner future!

# data[].attributes.body
This course has been accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project.

Find out more:
https://carbonliteracy.com/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Navigating the 1.5 Degrees Breach
Image credit: Photo by Pixabay. In 2023, the world witnessed an onslaught of extreme weather events, ranging from severe droughts and scorching heatwaves to devastating wildfires...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Relevant climate change learning for everyone

# data[].attributes.headline
Visit & Follow The Carbon Literacy Project

# data[].attributes.subject
Visit & Follow The Carbon Literacy Project

# data[].attributes.body
Home - The Carbon Literacy Project

https://uk.linkedin.com/company/the-carbon-literacy-project

https://twitter.com/Carbon_Literacy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"Empowering young people is what I've been all about for so long, beginning our roots and shoots program, back in 1991, with 12 high school students. [...] Young people, such as those who are here today, such as all of you who took part in this competition."
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, ClimateScience Olympiad Finals Ceremony, COP26 Glasgow.
"Empowering young people is what I've been all about for so long, beginning our roots and shoots program, back in 1991, with 12 high school students. [...] Young people, such as those who are here today, such as all of you who took part in this competition."
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, ClimateScience Olympiad Finals Ceremony, COP26 Glasgow.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Take action on system climate solutions. Science-backed, easy-to-understand climate education for everyone.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Carbon dioxide (CO ₂) is an important heat-trapping gas, also known as a greenhouse gas, that comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), from wildfires, and natural processes like volcanic eruptions. The first graph shows atmospheric CO ₂ levels measured by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii, since 1958. The second graph shows CO ₂ levels during Earth's last three glacial cycles, as captured by air bubbles trapped in ice sheets and glaciers.

Since the onset of industrial times in the 18th century, human activities have raised atmospheric CO ₂ by 50% - meaning the amount of CO ₂ is now 150% of its value in 1750. This human-induced rise is greater than the natural increase observed at the end of the last ice age 20,000 years ago.

The animated map shows how the historical changes in global carbon dioxide over time. Note the colors change as the amount of CO ₂ rises from 365 parts per million (ppm) in 2002 to over 420 ppm currently. It's important to understand that "parts per million" refers to the number of carbon dioxide molecules per million molecules of dry air. These measurements are from the mid-troposphere, the layer of Earth's atmosphere that is 8 to 12 kilometers (about 5 to 7 miles) above the ground. This data provides insights into the significant rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations, highlighting the impact of human activities on Earth's climate.

CO₂ Through the Seasons

A closer look at the carbon dioxide measurements at Mauna Loa shows a series of wiggles in the data. Although total CO ₂ is increasing each year, there is also a short-term cycle visible within the larger trend.

This annual rise and fall of CO ₂ levels is caused by seasonal cycles in photosynthesis on a massive scale. In Northern Hemisphere spring, plants come to life and draw in CO ₂ to fuel their growth. This begins the process of lowering the amount of CO ₂ in the atmosphere. In northern autumn, plant growth stops or slows down, and the whole process reverses itself. Much of the plant matter decomposes, releasing CO ₂ back to the atmosphere.

A similar but less intense pattern repeats in the Southern Hemisphere in opposite seasons. Spring growth starts in September and winter decomposition begins in March, so CO ₂ records in the Southern Hemisphere show the opposite pattern of that seen in Mauna Loa. However, because there is a lot more land and vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere than the southern, the global seasonal cycle more closely aligns with the northern pattern.

See the cycle in action in the visualization Watching Earth Breathe: The Seasonal Vegetation Cycle and Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.

This boom-and-bust cycle of plant growth gives the graph of CO ₂ a sawtooth pattern of ups and downs from year to year. At a larger scale, the upward climb of the trend line over the decades is caused by CO ₂ emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels. Thus, the data illustrate both natural factors and human additions of CO ₂.

Learn more:

NASA's Climate Kids: Why is Carbon Important?

Missions That Observe CO₂
Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-2) Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-3)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Carbon Dioxide Concentration | NASA Global Climate Change

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Vital Signs of the Planet: Global Climate Change and Global Warming. Current news and data streams about global warming and climate change from NASA.

# data[].attributes.headline
Ireland - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections 2019-2030

# data[].attributes.subject
Ireland - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections 2019-2030

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Greenhouse Gas emissions projections for the period 2019-2040

# data[].attributes.headline
Climate Action Tracker - Assessment of global progress against Paris Agreement

# data[].attributes.subject
Climate Action Tracker - Assessment of global progress against Paris Agreement

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We rate the EU's policies and action as "Almost sufficient". The upper bound of our policies and action emissions projection range is based on policies reported by member states as of March 2022, which would result in an emissions reduction of around 35% (excl. LULUCF) below 1990 by 2030. The bottom end of the range is based on policies adopted at the EU level, including the stronger binding renewable energy (42.5%) and energy efficiency targets, which would result in reducing emissions by 55% (excl. LULUCF). If the enhanced LULUCF sink is taken into consideration, net emissions in the EU would decrease by 60%, taking the EU beyond its emissions reduction target of "at least 55%". Consideration of the indicative renewable energy target (of a further 2.5%) for 2030 reduces emissions even further to 57% (excl. LULUCF) and 61% (incl. LULUCF).

In late 2022 and early 2023, the EU amended its key climate regulations, adopting stronger targets including:

Increasing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) emissions reduction target from 43% to 62% below 2005 levels by 2030.

Increasing the emissions reduction target in the Effort Sharing Regulation from 30% to 40% below 2005 levels by 2030.

Strengthening its renewable energy target from a 32% share [of total energy] to 42.5% by 2030, with an additional 2.5% "indicative" target.

Cutting its final energy demand from 846 Mtoe to 763 Mtoe in 2030.

Expanding the size of its land sector sink target from 225 MtCO₂e to 310 MtCO₂e.

From 2027 onwards, a parallel scheme will be established under the EU ETS to cover buildings and transport.

Member states still need to adopt policies implementing these targets. In their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), they have to propose their national targets for the share of renewable energy and energy consumption that would result in at least the targets agreed in the respective directive for the EU as a whole. Drafts of these plans are to be submitted by the end of June 2023.

Along with the major policy changes, the EU has also simplified permitting procedures for investments in renewable energy, batteries, and electricity grid development. While the impact of these measures will only be visible in the coming years, already in 2022 investment in renewables increased significantly, especially for solar energy and heat pumps. However, while the installed capacity in wind energy - both offshore and onshore - has also increased, a significant drop in new investments indicates a temporary slowdown in the sector. As a result of the accelerated deployment of renewable energy and energy savings, driven to a large degree by high energy prices, the expected return to coal, especially during the winter 2022/2023, did not materialise.

In the case of the majority of low-carbon technologies, especially solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries, the EU is to a large degree dependent on imports from other countries. This has the potential to exacerbate bottlenecks if trade flows are interrupted. To mitigate this challenge, the Commission proposed the Net Zero Industry Act in March 2023, which sets the goal of covering at least 40% of selected low carbon technologies with domestic manufacturing. This is a step in the right direction as it will increase the supply of products necessary to meet EU's emissions reduction goals and decrease their costs due to economies of scale.

NOTE: We have modified our data projections for the EU to reflect policy developments, essentially incorporating what our November 2022 update showed as planned policies, which have since been adopted. We have not updated our historical emissions to reflect the latest inventory data. We will update our projections for the EU fully later this year after the publication of the "Trends and Projections" by the European Environment Agency in Q4 of 2023.

The full policies and action analysis can be found here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We rate the EU's policies and action as "Almost sufficient". The upper bound of our policies and action emissions projection range is based on policies reported by member states as of March 2022, which would result in an emissions reduction of around 35% (excl. LULUCF) below 1990 by 2030.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What climate change impacts is India facing?

Climate change is impacting India's natural environment, economy and society with increased frequency and intensity. Heatwaves, floods, monsoons and declining groundwater reserves are some of the extreme challenges﻿ that India is facing today. Heatwave risks to wellbeing and GDP have been particularly costly﻿. In 2022, 15 states across India﻿ (as of 26th April 2022) struggled with the impacts on health, agriculture and the availability of water﻿ from heatwaves. Floods have cost India US$26.3 billion, with damages exceeding approximately 0.5% of its GDP﻿. Several studies point to the devastating economic and social costs﻿ of climate-related damages in India due to climate inaction - which could total US$35 trillion over the next 50 years﻿ - with particular impacts in the health and agriculture﻿ sectors.

The increasing frequency of such disasters is felt most by the local communities inhabiting India's ' climate frontiers' - areas that are more susceptible to climate-related disasters. A climate-induced refugee crisis﻿ from bordering nations like Bangladesh and Pakistan is likely, while internal migration﻿ and losses﻿ to livelihoods are already occurring.

India is already struggling with the health implications of local air pollution﻿; in 2019﻿, a study estimated this led to an annual loss of over US$36 billion to India's GDP. Rising emissions from human activities sees India consistently ranking lowest in global air quality assessments﻿.

What is India doing to tackle climate change?

India's domestic policy on climate and environmental action includes protecting regional glaciers﻿, greening the railway system﻿, reducing single-use plastic﻿ and producing clean cooking fuel﻿. India aims to reach net zero by 2070 and has been able to decouple its economic growth from its emissions﻿. According to the 2022 IPCC report﻿, it has a good track record of low emissions per capita﻿ in comparison to other major world economies﻿.

India has condensed the targets of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for the achievement of the Paris Agreement into a set of ' enhanced targets﻿' to reach net zero by 2070. These goals are on a par with those made by other industrialised nations and, considering its low historical contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, India has an ambitious net zero agenda.

While India's NDCs provide a clearer picture of the energy portfolio it is aiming for, no sector-specific mitigation actions have been included. In particular, a strategy to phase out coal is absent. This is essential for India's energy transition, considering the nation's coal portfolio comprises over 50% of its total installed power station capacity﻿. This is also especially critical from an energy security perspective considering the world's "unhealthy" dependence on fossil fuels﻿, as noted by India's Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy.

A just transition approach to phasing out coal - which would aim to address regional disparities and manage job losses in an equitable and inclusive manner - is yet to be embedded in Indian policy. However, the concept is gaining more traction in the lead-up to COP27 (at the time of writing), with interest shown by various Government Ministries (including the Ministry of Coal﻿, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change﻿ and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas﻿). India's involvement in the G7's Just Transition Energy Partnership﻿ (JETP) is also an important step towards the development of an official policy framework to move away from coal use and production.

How is India funding climate action?

Like for other developing countries, India's current climate action plans are propelled by a recognition of the risks and economic costs that may result in the case of inaction﻿. India's 2021-22 Economic Survey﻿ highlights that investments made in green technology and resilient infrastructure can safeguard the economy from future climate-induced uncertainties. To date, India's climate adaptation and mitigation work has predominantly been funded by domestic sources of green finance﻿. Now, it is also actively working to organise its investment platform to channel the growing pool of international sources of climate finance.

India's private sector has been playing a key role in reducing the cost of existing technologies﻿ like solar photovoltaic (PV) panels as well as emerging technologies for clean energy and transport solutions﻿ such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), green hydrogen and battery storage solutions. The Securities and Exchange Board of India﻿ has further bolstered India's sustainable finance flows by strengthening its regulatory regime around green bonds, introducing the concept of 'blue bonds' - focusing on ocean health - and improving incentives around disclosures to avoid greenwashing of bonds by issuers.

Through initiatives like the Leadership Group for Industry Transition﻿ co-founded by India, the country aims to develop green hydrogen value chains and their industrial applications in high-emitting industries like steel and cement﻿. The National Infrastructure Pipeline﻿ is one such initiative that provides a repository of infrastructure projects to be connected with investors. The Government is also supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their sustainable transitions through collaborations with the European Investment Bank﻿, for example.

The 2022 Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill﻿ sets in motion the creation of a domestic market for carbon trading for India which can help minimise the country's energy consumption and incentivise the deployment of clean technologies. Mumbai aims to become South Asia's first zero-carbon city by 2050, using green bonds, public-private blended finance and global lenders. Such tax and price measures, when balanced with investments in clean infrastructure assets and research innovation, can help nations to act quickly and at scale on climate mitigation.

What is India's role within international climate diplomacy?

The Paris Agreement goal to stay "well below 2 degrees" of warming was reflected in the commitments India made at COP26﻿ in Glasgow in 2021.

India plays a critical leadership role﻿ for other emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) in the Global South and will demonstrate this through its upcoming G20 Presidency in 2023 and by having co-founded initiatives like the International Solar Alliance﻿, One Sun One World One Grid﻿ and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure﻿.

This Explainer was written by Kamya Choudhary.
The author would like to thank Danae Kyriakopoulou and Eleonore Soubeyran for their helpful review comments.
The author acknowledges the European Climate Foundation for its generous support for research on India at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How is India tackling climate change? - Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This explainer summarises the impacts India is facing as a result of climate change, its domestic policies and international climate commitments and diplomacy.

# data[].attributes.body
Video here explaining BT Group Net Zero targets

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
BT Group has been a leader on climate action for over 30 years. We've been tracking our carbon reductions since 1992, and we went on to become one of the first companies in the world to set a science-based target in 2008. Our networks and buildings are all powered by electricity certified as renewable ¹, and we're aiming to transition the majority of our fleet to electric or zero-emission vehicles by 2030.

The transition to a net zero economy needs to happen much faster. We're investing in full fibre broadband and 5G networks that will pave the way for lower-carbon ways of life and work. Our networks and solutions can help all our customers cut carbon too. Tech has enormous potential to make cities and factories smarter and manage homes more efficiently.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sustainable - Responsible business | BT Plc

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Technology must accelerate our journey to net zero emissions and a circular world.

# data[].attributes.headline
Food facts and infographics from Fork Ranger

# data[].attributes.subject
Food facts and infographics from Fork Ranger

# data[].attributes.body
Tell Frank and the team that we sent you!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Explore how to eat for the climate. Answer fun quizzes and unlock easy recipes to put knowledge into action.

# data[].attributes.body
Join the network of businesses declaring a climate and ecological emergency & taking purposeful action.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
business declares a climate & ecological emergency by

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide references for Carbon Literacy for Business Course- Sessions 1 & 2

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide references for Carbon Literacy for Business Course- Sessions 1 & 2

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The enormity of the global climate crisis is so vast that individual actions may seem meaningless: can installing LED lighting in my home or keeping my car tires inflated really help save the polar bears?

One popular tool to help individuals assess their contribution to climate change is a carbon footprint calculator. Hundreds of such calculators are available online, enabling you to input details like what type of transportation you use to get to work, how often you eat red meat, and whether or not you wash your clothes in cold water.

But critics argue that focusing on your carbon footprint is at best time consuming and at worst meaningless. Instead, the "climate shadow" has emerged as a more holistic alternative.

First coined by Portland, Oregon-based writer Emma Pattee, the climate shadow aims to paint a picture of the full sum of one's choices-and the impact they have on the planet.

What is a climate shadow?

In an article she wrote in 2021, Pattee detailed her concept for measuring an individual's impact: "[Your climate shadow is] a dark shape stretching out behind you. Everywhere you go, it goes too, tallying not just your air conditioning use and the gas mileage of your car, but also how you vote, how many children you choose to have, where you work, how you invest your money, how much you talk about climate change, and whether your words amplify urgency, apathy, or denial."

The larger the shadow-the greater an individual's impact on doing good for the planet.

While your carbon footprint may shrink if you place solar panels on your roof, for example, your climate shadow would, in contrast, grow when talking with your neighbors about your choices. Even the social impact of simply displaying solar panels would influence the size of your shadow. Studies show having neighbors with solar panels pressures nearby residents to install their own.

In other words, rather than incentivizing purely individual actions, your climate shadow grows when those actions inspire others, knowingly or otherwise.

The problem with a carbon footprint

By their nature, carbon footprint calculators highlight individual actions while ignoring the impact of large industries or the role governments play in limiting them. Critics of carbon footprint calculators argue, for example, that they have been coopted by oil companies to shift blame and attention away from them and on to everyday consumers.

"A carbon footprint is a quantitative metric measure of righteousness," explains Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a professor at Texas Tech University. "And people use it to feel good about themselves, which we all want to do when we feel fearful, scared, worried, and concerned. But then they turn it into a measure to judge other people."

One especially problematic aspect of how a footprint is calculated is that many people may have larger carbon footprints because they have little choice: they may drive a lot because they live in an area with minimal mass transit, or they may subsist on meals that take a relatively large toll on the environment because they live in a food desert.

That imbalance bothered Pattee.

"What became clear to me is that so much of our carbon footprint is baked in by forces outside of our control," she explains. "We don't really control how our cities are laid out; we don't control public transportation. We don't even control what country we're born into."

Pattee argues that, by extending far beyond individual actions such as how much recycling we do or whether we use non-biodegradable coffee pods, a climate shadow more accurately reflects our broader impact. Greta Thunberg, she points out, would have made a positive impact had she decided to go vegan, but it would have been a lot smaller than it has been had she stopped there.

The combination of the individual and collective, of the tangible and intangible, appeals to Hayhoe, who was an early advocate of the climate shadow.

"People always are arguing and fighting over whether it's individual changes or system wide changes that we need to fix climate change," she says. "Whenever anybody asks me that, my answer is 'yes.' We do need individual action, but individual action is not enough."

Reckoning with individual responsibility

If the notion of a climate shadow seems nebulous, that isn't entirely by accident. The objective is not to create a climate shadow scorecard. Rather, Pattee describes it as "sharing my own spiritual and moral reckoning."

It is, she argues, simply a way of thinking about how we live our lives in the middle of a climate crisis, and how we choose to live our lives for the betterment of ourselves and others.

Some environmentalists argue that, while imperfect, the carbon footprint can at least provide a framework for altering one's behavior in a positive fashion.

Some environmentalists argue that, while imperfect, the carbon footprint can at least provide a framework for altering one's behavior in a positive fashion. It's better, the argument goes, to view a carbon footprint and a climate shadow as complementary rather than incompatible.

Pattee, though, feels the idea of a climate shadow functions as a bridge between those who want to take individual action and those who argue individual action is meaningless.

"I meet people who are deep in rage against corporations. Okay, cool. I will meet people who are switching out their lightbulbs-also cool." she says. "I'm not worried about them butting heads, because I don't see any of these groups as separate. I just see them all as people in different phases of a larger reckoning. But isn't it a beautiful thing that your impact could be greater than you could imagine?"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Forget your carbon footprint-your climate shadow is what really matters

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How big is your climate shadow? The concept is emerging to replace the carbon footprint-which critics say is at best time-consuming and, at worst, meaningless.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dear EarthTalk: Could it really be true that a single large volcanic eruption launches more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the amount generated by all of humanity over history? Steve Schlemmer, London, England

This argument that human-caused carbon emissions are merely a drop in the bucket compared to greenhouse gases generated by volcanoes has been making its way around the rumor mill for years. And while it may sound plausible, the science just doesn't back it up.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the world's volcanoes, both on land and undersea, generate about 200 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, while our automotive and industrial activities cause some 24 billion tons of CO2 emissions every year worldwide. Despite the arguments to the contrary, the facts speak for themselves: Greenhouse gas emissions from volcanoes comprise less than one percent of those generated by today's human endeavors.

Another indication that human emissions dwarf those of volcanoes is the fact that atmospheric CO2 levels, as measured by sampling stations around the world set up by the federally funded Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, have gone up consistently year after year regardless of whether or not there have been major volcanic eruptions in specific years. "If it were true that individual volcanic eruptions dominated human emissions and were causing the rise in carbon dioxide concentrations, then these carbon dioxide records would be full of spikes-one for each eruption," says Coby Beck, a journalist writing for online environmental news portal Grist.org. "Instead, such records show a smooth and regular trend."

Furthermore, some scientists believe that spectacular volcanic eruptions, like that of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, actually lead to short-term global cooling, not warming, as sulfur dioxide (SO2), ash and other particles in the air and stratosphere reflect some solar energy instead of letting it into Earth's atmosphere. SO2, which converts to sulfuric acid aerosol when it hits the stratosphere, can linger there for as long as seven years and can exercise a cooling effect long after a volcanic eruption has taken place.

Scientists tracking the effects of the major 1991 eruption of the Philippines' Mt. Pinatubo found that the overall effect of the blast was to cool the surface of the Earth globally by some 0.5 degrees Celsius a year later, even though rising human greenhouse gas emissions and an El Nino event (a warm water current which periodically flows along the coast of Ecuador and Peru in South America) caused some surface warming during the 1991-1993 study period.

In an interesting twist on the issue, British researchers last year published an article in the peer reviewed scientific journal Nature showing how volcanic activity may be contributing to the melting of ice caps in Antarctica-but not because of any emissions, natural or man-made, per se. Instead, scientists Hugh Corr and David Vaughan of the British Antarctic Survey believe that volcanoes underneath Antarctica may be melting the continent's ice sheets from below, just as warming air temperatures from human-induced emissions erode them from above.

CONTACTS: U.S. Geological Survey, www.usgs.gov; Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, cdiac.esd.ornl.gov; British Antarctic Survey, www.antarctica.ac.uk.

EarthTalk is produced by E/The Environmental Magazine. GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Are Volcanoes or Humans Harder on the Atmosphere?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dear EarthTalk: Could it really be true that a single large volcanic eruption launches more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the amount generated by all of humanity over history? Steve Schlemmer, London, England This argument that human-caused carbon emissions are merely a drop in the bucket compared to greenhouse gases generated by volcanoes has been making its way around the rumor mill for years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
1. BT Sourced Carbon Literacy for Business- Session 1 PDF

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
2. BT Sourced Carbon Literacy for Business - Session 2 PDF