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White Christmases unlikely

December 03, 2003

CRed, the community carbon reduction project run out of the University of East Anglia, is urging people to aim for a low carbon Christmas this year.

CRed say that the reason we no longer have any White Christmases is down to global warming and that we need to work harder at reducing our carbon emissions if we want to stop further damaging climate change.

Professor Trevor Davies, Director of CRed said: "There has been a pronounced lack of white Christmases in the UK in the last 25 years, compared to the rest of the 20th century. Indeed white Christmases were much more frequent in the 18th and 19th century.

"This pattern is consistent with what has been happening on a global scale. Snow cover observations for the whole of the Northern Hemisphere have been available from the early 1970s; since these records began there has been a decrease in snow cover of around 10%. Obviously this depletion is closely related to the increase in global temperature, and the upward trend in temperatures means they are almost certain to become rarer still."

To play your part in helping to combat climate change, why not follow the CRed guide to a low carbon Christmas:

1.        Take the bus or train to do your Christmas shopping and avoid the traffic and parking.

2.        Turn your fairy lights / light display off when going out or retiring for the evening.

3.        Low carbon Christmas presents are not hard to find: think wind-up torches and radios, locally made chocolates, solar-powered watches, garden lights and mobile phone chargers. With electrical goods, such as irons and vacuum cleaners, look for energy efficient models with the 'A' energy rating.

4.        Recycle wrapping paper, cards and even your tree, which can be shredded for compost.

5.        As you are likely to be spending a lot of time in your home over Christmas, make sure that your insulation is up to scratch and wear a jumper about the house, this should enable you to turn the heating down and make Christmas a little less expensive.

Food miles, or the distance food has to travel to reach our plates, is another issue that can have a significant impact on the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted. CRed is highlighting how you can save on food miles with your Christmas meal.

Among suggestions are buying turkey from your local butcher or direct from the farmer. Local sprouts, carrots and potatoes are available through a wide range of outlets. Why not make your own Christmas pudding this year, or find one through your local Women's Institute market or craft baker. Finally, make a change and serve a locally brewed beer instead of wine with your meal.

East Anglia, University of