ECO campaigners in Bradford have shared 10 ways we can all start living more sustainably amid new research on rising fossil fuels.

Friends of the Earth, Fossil Free West Yorkshire, GALBA (Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport) and Extinction Rebellion said "one small step" could help change the current direction of global warming.

Campaigner Jane Thewlis told the T&A: "We said all success starts with just one small step. My mum used to say 'It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness'. And big progress in history has come from lots of people doing small things - women gaining the vote was after many, many women and men taking small and big actions. 

"Doing something rather than nothing keeps us hopeful rather than giving up. It inspires others and encourages conversation which is all good if we want to change things to be better."

It follows research in the journal Nature Climate Change that said a tenfold increase in the level of cuts of fossil fuel emissions is needed to tackle the climate crisis.

What did the report find?

Analysis - published by the University of East Anglia (UEA), Stanford University and the Global Carbon Project - looked at what has happened to global carbon emissions since the Paris climate accord was agreed in late 2015.

The Paris Agreement committed countries to limiting temperature rises to "well below" 2C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to curb warming to 1.5C to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change.

The study shows that 64 countries cut their fossil fuel-related carbon emissions between 2016 and 2019, mainly through renewables and reducing energy use.

The research also showed that 150 countries saw emissions rise between 2016 and 2019, and overall global carbon output from fossil fuels increased by 0.21 billion tonnes a year on average, compared to 2011-15.

The analysis highlighted a 2.6 billion tonne cut in fossil fuel carbon emissions in 2020, down 7 per cent on 2019 levels as a result of lockdown measures implemented around the world to control the Covid-19 pandemic.

A cut of that size has never been seen before, the scientists said, but reductions of almost as much are needed every year throughout the 2020s and beyond to avoid exceeding the limits in the Paris Agreement.

It highlights the scale of what needs to be done to tackle climate change, they said.

When countries were at the peak of their lockdown measures, emissions decreased by an average of 27 per cent, the study said, with curbs on transport playing the biggest role.

But early data suggests global emissions were on the rise again in December 2020, potentially offsetting the decrease caused by lockdown measures.

What can we all do to create a more eco-friendly and sustainable world?

The advice has been given by Friends of the Earth, Fossil Free West Yorkshire, GALBA (Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport) and Extinction Rebellion.

  • Buy less stuff. 
  • Eat less meat and dairy
  • Use public or active transport where you can (i.e. walking, cycling, running)
  • Use the car less and share journeys
  • Fly less
  • Make sure your electricity only comes from renewable sources
  • Insulate your home as much as you can afford
  • Join a group which care about the planet and its future. Suggestions include the Women's Institute as they have Climate Ambassadors, Extinction Rebellion, Green New Deal, Clean Air Bradford or a Divestment group.
  • Use your vote
  • Lobby for change within a political party

Jane added: "Small changes are empowering and we all have to take small steps to start."

While fellow campaigner Nick Hodgkinson said: "We all know the climate crisis is real and it can be scary. But human beings are amazing and great at solving problems. Let's all do as much as we can to build a better future."