Flights run up Jodie’s carbon footprint

JODIE Colgan was shocked when her carbon calculator totted up her emissions and came up with the grand total of 11 (tonnes of carbon).

“I thought: It’s me, I’m killing the polar bears, it’s my fault,” said the 26-year-old mother of two from Glasthule, Co. Dublin.

But Jodie is green-minded. She doesn’t own a car, is conscious of switching off lights when not in use, and with two boys aged 15 months and 12 weeks, she finds it easier to walk to her local shops than take public transport.

Her downfall comes in two forms — the old terraced house she rents which has poor insulation and inefficient storage heating, and her regular flights to England with the children to visit their grandparents.

“I go about six times a year but because they’re only short flights I never thought it’d cause a problem. I suppose I could cut down on the number of times I go, or get the boat instead, but it’s not easy on a boat with the kids, and then you’ve got hours on the train and a car journey at the other end.”

She says doing the calculator exercise has made her more aware of her carbon footprint, however, and it would make her look for more modern accommodation if she was moving house.

“At the moment it’s hard because the children are small and the winter was bad, so the heating has been on a lot, but if I had a choice I’d certainly prefer a cleaner and more efficient way.”

By contrast with Jodie, hairdresser, Barry Kane, was pleasantly surprised when his calculator came up with a total of just four. But the 23-year-old from Shankill, Co Dublin admits his good score comes more by way of accident than intention.

“I don’t have a car, I use the Dart to get to work, and I live on the top floor of a modern building with the heat rising from the apartments below so we rarely have the heating on. I’m just lucky really,” he explains.

Having seen how fortune has worked to his favour, however, he says he would be conscious of keeping to similar arrangements if he moves from his house-share in the future.

“I don’t think I’ll get a car. I don’t see the need for it when everyone I need to get to is relatively close, so I’d prefer to keep it like that.

“When you’re house-sharing you can’t be dictating to people, so it’s good that the apartment happens to be quite green. I’d go for something similar again if I could.”