Carbon calculator for mobile phones

Young climate campaigners have launched the first mobile phone application that gives people the opportunity to calculate their carbon footprint.

As part of the Woodcraft Folk C-Change project, in collaboration with The Centre for Alternative technology, the application - dubbed Climate:Mobile - can now be downloaded by texting CLIMATE to 80010 at standard network rates.

Alternatively, the software is available from the C-Change website (www.switchonswitchoff.org) by text and Bluetooth transfer.

Climate:Mobile will also be promoted at Glastonbury Festival, where the young campaigners will make it available to thousands of revellers who visit the interactive 'Face Your Elephant' tent, which will be located along the main market stretch.

Everyone attending the festival will be encouraged to make a difference to climate change by reducing their carbon footprint.

The Climate:Mobile calculator will estimate the annual greenhouse emissions using a series of twenty youth lifestyle questions divided into sections such as home, transport, flights, food and general consumption.

Once the user has answered all of the questions they will be given tips on reducing their carbon footprint using data from The Centre for Alternative Technology’s carbon calculator.

Using mobile phones to reach youngsters

Elle Dodd, C-Change Project Volunteer, said: "Ninety-four per cent of 16-24-year-olds own a mobile phone, which is central to most young people’s lifestyles.

"The Climate:Mobile calculator is a fun and simple solution to help young people work out how much carbon they are putting into the atmosphere. 

"Climate change is already happening - today’s climate is tomorrow’s challenge. The Climate:Mobile is one way in which young people can make a real difference in taking personal action to reduce their carbon footprint."

C-Change is run by young people for young people and plans to use music, technology, creative arts and innovative interactive activities to engage with young people aged 11-21 to help change their attitude and understanding of the climate issue and energy use. 

The team have recently launched the Battle of the Bands music competition, backed by indie band Klaxons and eco-friendly recording studio The Premises, and will be hosting Party for the Planet and Battle of the Bands, a free carbon footprint event, on Clapham Common, London on 7 July. 

Climate:Mobile has been funded by the Pilkingtons Energy Efficiency Fund (PEET), which gives financial support to energy efficiency research, testing or evaluation projects for the built environment.

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