Climate Change in Staffordshire

Climate Change is one of those subjects which is so big that it can be difficult to know where to start. The good news is that Staffordshire County Council has taken the lead and we are working with our partners, our staff and you, the people of Staffordshire, to take action.

Tackling climate change is a corporate priority and is also a priority under the Local Area Agreement.

What are we trying to achieve?

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is one of the main gases which contributes to global warming. We have set a target of reducing our CO₂ emissions by 80% by 2050. Since 1990 we have reduced the amount of CO₂ we emit (our 'carbon footprint') by 41%.

Staffordshire County Council has been working hard to identify where we can cut our carbon emissions. Some of our schemes include:

Examining the energy efficiency of our libraries and installing measures to cut energy use.
Creating software that automatically shuts down computers that have been left on overnight - saving £10,000 and 90 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Looking at energy use in schools and helping them to cut their emissions.
Installing renewable energy technologies like solar panels on new buildings like Lymedale Business Park.
Replacing illuminated bollards on the road with a reflective version: saving one tonne of CO₂ for every 11 bollards replaced.

The Johnsons

On the 1^st September 2009 the Johnsons moved to Staffordshire. It's not a happy picture.

The impacts of climate change have hit: sea levels have risen, petrol is strictly rationed and the shops are short of food. Is their reality your future?

Set sometime in the future, the Johnsons is an alternative reality game running on the OC₃ website from 1^st September until Christmas.

The game centres around a family of four characters, Howard, Sarah, Rupert and Lucinda who each post a weekly blog on the site. Game players read the blog and search the website to find clues and guess the year the story is set in. The winner will receive an eco digital radio.

Visit www.staffsoc3.org.uk to play the game.

The OC3 partnership

In June 2008, with our partners, we launched the OC3 'Our County, Our Climate, Our Choice' website. It is a guide to climate change in Staffordshire and covers local events, projects, farmers markets, local food and grants. It also offers advice and support for anyone wanting to take action at work or at home.

Log on at www.staffsoc3.org.uk .

Last Modified: 16/10/2009 11:39:39
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