"THERE'S nothing I can do about climate change. The world's going to get hotter whatever, so it doesn't matter what I do."

This is an attitude commonly expressed by people in Derby, according to a survey of 1,000 adults conducted on behalf of Derby City Council to try gauge people's thoughts on one of the biggest environmental dilemmas.

It showed that a massive 38% of people said they gave the issue no thought – or had no worries about it.

And one in three felt it was not their responsibility but that of the Government to reduce the carbon output of a country.

That is despite the fact that the mainstream scientific consensus is that mankind is behind a rapid increase in world temperatures, which shows little sign of slowing.

A major issue, according to William Barron from voluntary group Transition Derby, is getting people to understand that they can do their bit – then showing them how.

His group, set up in January last year, aims to help people in the city take responsibility for climate change.

He said they had come across the "not my problem" attitude frequently, particularly during the recession.

"Unfortunately, over the last few months, everyone without exception has been very concerned about the recession and the General Election," he said.

"Climate change and the environment come low down the pecking order, compared to traditional problems like health, education, job security, incomes.

"The environment is something that appears, to the average person in the community, something they have absolutely no control over at all, because they are one small individual.

"They might think 'well, if we do something in the UK, what about countries like China, or India who appear to have a much bigger problem than we do?'

"People tend to think about the now, rather than a generation in advance. They think 'will I have a job tomorrow?', or 'will I get that contract I've been working on tomorrow?'"

Mr Barron's group has just helped Derby get official transition city status, in recognition of its work to tackle climate-change issues.

It raises awareness through holding talks, workshops, seminars and demonstrations.

Last week it received the backing of the outgoing Mayor of Derby, Sean Marshall.

Some of the projects it has been involved in include setting up a demonstration wind turbine, helping create a food forest garden at Silverhill Primary School, in Mickleover, and organising study visits to an organic farm.

One of the big advantages of encouraging people to cut down on their carbon footprint was the knock-on effect of saving them money, Mr Barron said.

The study for the city council showed that most people were aware of what climate change meant globally, from melting polar ice caps to rising sea levels and flooding.

But it raised concerns about how the city council and other organisations can convey a coherent message to the public.

That remains the sticking point: How do you get people to act?

A major obstacle to getting people involved in cutting their carbon footprint, according to Mr Barron, is the lifestyle they have been leading over the past few decades.

"We have been conditioned to have everything now," he said, "whether it's fast food, immediate access to the internet, mobile phones.

"We've been conditioned to only think about ourselves now, rather than about the ramifications of our actions in years to come.

"There needs to be more security today for people to consider tomorrow.

"We have had mass energy for free for the last couple of generations. That cannot continue."

Mr Barron backed the 10:10 campaign, launched yesterday by the Derby Telegraph, Derby City Council, the University of Derby, Derby Homes and Ecotek.

The aim of the campaign is to get people to try to cut their carbon emissions by 10% from 2010, by raising awareness of the issue.

Over the course of the coming months, the Derby Telegraph and its partners will be giving advice to individuals and businesses about how they can reduce their carbon footprint.

We will follow particular examples where they are taking the advice of experts and will also be producing a series of supplements with tips that every reader can follow.

"There is an urgent need to generate awareness", Mr Barron said. "That's why this 10:10 campaign is brilliant, because that is what it's doing.

"We need to look at the positive aspect of what we can do, not about the negative potential consequences.

"What can we do about cutting down on our energy consumption? How can we make our locality more resilient?

How can we live more within our means so that future generations have the same quality of life that we have at the moment?

"By using more public transport, using our gardens and land better, reusing recyclables and being less materialistic."

Another stumbling point for people is the cost related to what they believe are ways to combat climate change, from solar panels to insulating walls in the home.

In fact, two-thirds of people quizzed in the council survey said they were unlikely to spend anything on energy efficiency measures over the next 12 months.

But, Mr Barron said, there are many cheap – or even free – ways to make changes in your lifestyle that can have a positive impact.

"Every one of us can make a difference – whether it is within a family, a street, a neighbourhood – provided we can get people to understand what it is they can do," he said.

"That is what we need to achieve in the coming months and years."

More information about the 10:10 campaign and what it means to you is available at www.1010global.org.