Climate change - how superfast broadband can help
Our climate is changing and, unchecked, this is one of the most serious global threats the world faces. Global warming is expected to result in rising sea levels, flooding, food shortage and disease, severe water shortages, loss of habitats and species. Action is needed now to stabilise and reduce the levels of greenhouse gases (gases which are responsible for global warming) in the atmosphere; and everyone has a part to play. By insulating our homes, reducing our travel (especially flying) and reducing our electricity, gas and oil consumption, we can all make a difference.
Superfast broadband can help too. ICT (Information and Communications Technology) has a major role to play in helping society to reduce its carbon emissions. Technologies such as videoconferencing can help businesses to reduce flying-related carbon emissions by as much as 90%; cloud-based services enable businesses to share efficient network-based servers and reduce their own carbon footprint; which, in turn, can save money and enhance business's green credentials with customers.
In the home superfast broadband can reduce carbon emissions by enabling home working, online shopping, telecare and many other carbon-friendly applications.
At Superfast Cornwall, we want to understand the carbon impact of superfast broadband on the residents and businesses of Cornwall and have established a ground-breaking study to help quantify the carbon benefits that superfast broadband will enable. Superfast Cornwall (in conjunction with Visit Cornwall, CoaST and Clear about Carbon) has developed an online carbon calculator which will enable you to baseline your carbon footprint and see how it changes over time as you adopt more and more superfast applications. So join us in putting Cornwall at the heart of battle against climate change.
Calculate your carbon footprint
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change.
Understanding your carbon footprint is the first step towards reducing it and saving money, which is why we have developed a carbon calculator tool to help you measure, manage and minimise the carbon footprint of your home or business. The tool measures the carbon impacts associated with electricity, heating, travel (cars, flights, etc) and waste, and there are separate carbon calculators for businesses and households:
If you're running a business, please click here to start using the carbon calculator.
If you're interested in calculating your carbon footprint at home, please click here.
And if you're interested in the real world experiences of one of our Superfast Cornwall carbon calculator users, click here.
CarbonDiem
Users of the Superfast Cornwall carbon calculator can also register for CarbonDiem; a smartphone application that automatically monitors the distance you travel on each mode of transport. The app automatically calculates the carbon emissions resulting from your travel, and this data can then be uploaded straight into the Superfast Cornwall carbon calculator, making it very easy to track your travel carbon footprint.
If you have any queries or encounter any difficulties using the carbon calculators, please email us.
