We need to talk about consumption...

...Because when it comes to our climate change emissions, it seems that the Government isn’t telling the whole truth. Last month, for the first time in a few years, UK carbon emissions statistics showed an increase (a 4.5% rise in 2012), following a few years of a noticeable downward trend. We’re now, overall, emitting 26% less than in 1990.

But overall, that’s great news right? Not quite.

Yesterday evening I went along to a talk organized by the Public Interest Research Centre and featuring speakers such as Caroline Lucas. They pointed out why our seemingly exemplary action to tackle climate change is not all it appears to be. It’s all rather neatly summarized in this new animation which was launched at last night’s event.

According to the film we've been told three fundamental lies about the UK's emissions and consumption, lies which could have consequences for wildlife and the climate:

Lie number one: we have succeeded in cutting UK carbon emissions

It’s true that the emissions from stuff that's both produced and consumed in the UK have declined (manufacturing has decreased and been replaced by services). That’s because a lot of what we use is now made abroad, in particular in China.

When the emissions caused by making that stuff are factored in, the UK’s emissions have actually increased by 20% (not decreased) compared to 1990. So, our domestic emissions balance sheets might be less carbon intensive, but our lifestyles certainly aren’t. We’re letting China take the heat for our consumer lifestyles.

Lie number two: current UK action on climate change is enough

Government is not investing enough in genuinely low-carbon renewable energy and other measures to reduce our emissions. True, the proportion of UK energy that comes from renewables is rising (in 2011 9.4% of the UK’s electricity same from renewable sources), and that’s to be applauded.

But more widely we’re happy to allow the consumption accounting fix to make it look like we’re doing very well at reducing our emissions overall when in fact they’ve gone up. We need to both honestly account for these emissions and to invest more in genuinely low-carbon energy and transport options and in energy efficiency.

Lie number three: more stuff can make us happier

A range of evidence shows that, beyond a certain point, having more things doesn’t actually make you any happier. In fact, the cycle of consumption can make people less happy.  Speakers at last night’s event raised a couple of key points. One is that it’s important to think about how we could use stuff differently – repairing, sharing, loaning and recycling, for example. Alongside that, we can think about all the ways to be happy that don’t rely on buying more stuff: spending more time in nature being one of the more obvious.

For me, alongside these three lies, are three compelling reasons we could benefit from rethinking how much and the way consume:

• Our consumption is resulting in climate change emissions that we’re not taking responsibility for and this will be bad news for wildlife and people in the long run.
• Careless or excessive consumption could place unnecessary or unsustainable pressure on wildlife and habitats.
• Reducing the amount we consume, and freeing up time for other pursuits will probably make us happier, healthier and give us the chance to reconnect with nature.

Burying our heads in the sand will only be bad news for wildlife, and for us, in the long run. What is it that brings you happiness, and could you be happier consuming less?