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Climate Action

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Climate Change is a Human-Caused Crisis

 

🌍 The concentration of carbon dioxide in the world atmosphere, as of July 2021, is the highest it has been in human history.

🌍 By 2030 areas of London, the East Coast and Cardiff could be regularly underwater due to the rising sea levels (7-23 inches by the end of this century) from a combination of melting glaciers and thermal expansion seawater as it warms.

🌍 In the last 30 years half of the world's coral reefs have died, with two thirds of the Great Barrier Reef being damaged by coral bleaching - a direct result of sea temperatures being too high and pollution.

🌍 Extinction is a natural phenomenon, claiming around 5 species per year, we're currently losing up to 1,000 times the normal rate - meaning around 12 species go extinct every day.

🌍 As the global temperature increases, millions of people will flee their homes to avoid the impacts of droughts and extreme storms. The International Organisation on Migration estimates that up to 200 million people could be forced to leave their homes because of climate change by 2050.

🌍 Climate change could be irreversible by 2030 - THE TIPPING POINT!

Ways Boston College is helping to stop Climate Change

Recycle

Recycling conserves natural resources, protects ecosystems and wildlife, reduces the demand for raw materials and cuts carbon emissions.

Boston College sends zero waste to landfills and our course guides are made from 100% sustainable materials.

Electric Charging Points

Electric cars emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants that petrol or diesel cars. The UK have set a target that the sale of petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2030.

Boston College offers electric charging for staff and student with electric vehicles, as well as introducing Hybrid and Electric Vehicle safety training.

Change to non-halogen lightbulbs

LED lightbulbs can last 25 times longer, and use at least 75% less energy than other bulbs. 

Boston College is in the process of converting to high efficiency lighting throughout all campuses.

Drive Less

Walking, taking public transport, biking or car sharing lowers greenhouse gases, as well as reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.

Boston College installed more bike sheds to allow more staff and students to bike to college.

Eliminate single-use plastic

Plastics take over 400 years to decompose, so potentially almost every bit of plastic still exists in either landfill or in the ocean. By eliminating single-use plastic, the carbon footprint will be lowered and oceans will become less polluted.

Boston College is starting the process of going plastic free - from drink bottles to cutlery and straws in the canteens and cafes. Recently the College gave away 650 reusable bottles to current students.

Energy Efficient

Saving energy reduces the amount of toxic fumes released by power plants, conserves the Earth's natural resources and protects ecosystems from destruction.

Boston College's new builds are built to be energy efficient, with internal climate control. With older buildings having windows replaced to make them more energy efficient.

Use Less Water

Approximately 71% of the Earth is water, but less than 1% is usable to us, with supplies predicted to reach unsustainable levels by 2050. By reducing water consumption to 100 litres per day, there would be enough water for more than an additional 20 million people by 2050.

Boston College Spalding Campus collects rain water via the roofing system, and uses this water to flush the building's toilets. 

Go Digital

Reducing paper usage help prevents trees from being cut down and eliminates the energy used to produce the paper, as well as reducing the amount of paper waste sent to landfill.

Boston College reduces the amount of paper printing by highlighting if a document needs to be printed, and if so could it be printed double sided/black and white. The PaperCut MF app also allows staff to see how much they have printed and what this equals in trees and CO2.

Climate Action News

Be Fantastic Without Single-Use Plastic

To support Earth Day 2022, and to become a greener college, Boston College has given away 500 free reusable water bottles to learners.

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A Pivotal Moment in the Fight against Climate Change

In support of COP26 this November, Boston College has launched its climate action commitments against the ever-growing threat of permanent Climate Change.

Read More

Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Training Arrives at College

This specialist technology is leading the transport sectors…

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