Steps to reduce your carbon footprint

How to live a low-carbon life - the individual's guide to stopping climate change

Chris Goodall 

London: Earthscan 2007 | Pp319 | £14.99 | ISBN 1 844 07426 6

This book is exactly what the title says it is. In his introduction the author explains why he thinks that expecting governments to lead the way on reducing carbon emissions is rather optimistic. He then discusses the major sources of energy use and thus carbon emissions in everyday life, and how we as individuals can act to reduce them. 

The tone of the book is surprisingly upbeat considering that a reduction in carbon emissions from the UK personal average of ca  12 tonnes per year to three is recommended to keep climate change to an acceptable level. There are several very interesting sections, including a look at the 'extra-ordinary cheapness of fossil fuels', which considers the problem of reducing emissions from an unusual angle. There is also a discussion of the energy efficiency implications of the UK's policy of switching from analogue to digital television and a series of calculations to show whether walking or driving is more energy efficient for short journeys (less than two miles). The answer is rather unexpected, though I am not sure I fully agree with Goodall's reasoning.