How we live and the choices we make have an impact on the climate both in the borough and beyond.
What impact do I have?
Each year, the average household in Basingstoke and Deane is responsible for emissions equivalent to about 17,880 kilograms of carbon.
That’s roughly the same weight as three fully grown male African elephants. Let’s break this down.
What we buy and use
6,190 kilograms (more than one adult elephant)
35%
What we eat and drink
4,000 kilograms (two-thirds of an adult elephant – a teenage elephant, maybe)
22%
Heating and powering our homes
3,930 kilograms (again, about two-thirds of an adult elephant)
22%
Travelling by car, train, bus and plane
3,710 kilograms (you guessed it, just less than two-thirds of an adult elephant)
21%
Waste
50 kilograms (an elephant’s foot… probably)
<1%
These figures are from Impact, the community carbon calculator.
Balance is key.
Doing your bit for the environment isn’t about selling all your worldly possessions and moving to a tent on the beach. Which would be a bit of a hassle anyway, given the borough doesn’t actually have one.
Our planet can absorb some carbon. Just nowhere near how much we produce at the moment. We don’t have to get rid of all emissions right now. But we do need to act quickly and get them down as much as possible.
Ready to take action?
Fab. We need more people like you. Here are two ways to get started.
Take a look at tips and ideas for how you can live your life in a more sustainable way.
Make friends as you partner with others to take action together for a greener borough.