Climate change – what’s the problem?

Climate Change Officer Simon Chubb examines the likely effects of climate change on Cambridge, and what we can do about it.

Cast your mind forward to the summer of 2050. What can we expect Cambridge to be like? Forty years isn’t such a long time, but based on current patterns of energy use we can expect summer temperatures to be up to 5 degrees hotter. You may think that sounds good – after all, we’re always complaining about the English weather. But this temperature increase would mean that heat waves – like the one in 2003 that claimed 35,000 lives across Europe – could become commonplace. It would also bring drought – summer rainfall could more than halve, so we can look forward to the return of hosepipe bans.

Free compost at the Beehive Centre

To celebrate national Compost Awareness Week, Cambridge City Council is digging deep to give away free soil conditioner that residents have helped to make by recycling.

Recycling officers will be at the Beehive Centre car park on Thursday 8th May from 10am-2pm, shovelling compost made from green bin waste into sacks for residents to take away – all you need to do is bring your own sack.

The Magnificent Revolutionary Cycling Cinema

The Magnificent Revolutionary Cycling Cinema (MRCC) is the only UK bicycle-powered cinema, uniting art, education and sustainability.

What does environment mean to you?

Cambridge Matters asks residents of different ages for their views on the environment.

Jingle bills: saving energy at Christmas

The Christmas period is a time of particularly high energy consumption. Family gatherings and parties mean that heating and cooking appliances are used more heavily and electricity use can be very high with increased television watching and testing out all the new toys received as gifts. As much as a third of our home energy consumption is completely wasted, so why not make a New Year’s resolution to save energy?

Cambridge climate change charter launched

The Cambridge Climate Change Charter was launched on October 25. The purpose of the initiative is to stimulate and co-ordinate action by organisations in Cambridge to address the causes and consequences of climate change. By November 1, 14 Cambridge organisations including Anglia Ruskin University, The University of Cambridge, Ridgeons, The Grafton Centre and Cambridge Water [...]

You can get money to make your home more energy efficient

Insulation grants are available to every homeowner and private tenant regardless of income. There are a variety of schemes - visit the Energy Saving Trust at www.est.org.uk or call 0800 512012. It’s also worth checking with your utility company as they often have offers available to their customers.

Top 5 standby mode energy wasters

Estimated annual CO2 emissions from devices left on standby in the UK:

Stereos – 1,600,000 tonnes
Videos – 960,000 tonnes
TVs – 480,000 tonnes
Consoles – 390,000 tonnes
DVD players – 100,000 tonnes

How energy efficient is your home?

More than a quarter of carbon emissions in Cambridge are as a result of the energy we use to heat, light and power our homes. There are many ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home – actions that will also save you money.

How does your faith or culture influence the way you think about the environment?

Cambridge Matters put this question to some Cambridge residents…