The Bill proposes to slash the emission of greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050. This is a bold scheme (bolder than the proposals at Westminster), but the obligatory cuts of 3% per year do not start until the year 2020. As all the scientific and economic arguments have pointed out, the sooner we cut emissions seriously the better, so we might wonder why Scotland is being asked to hold on for over ten years?

Each of us on average is responsible for the emission of about 10 tens of carbon dioxide each year. When you think that this gas is as light as air, ten tons is a lot of gas. To cut these emissions down is crucial and we can start right now. In fact we have already started. Insulating our homes not only reduces our energy bills and keeps our homes warmer, it also reduces our CO2 output. Good all round!

One of the most obvious ways in which we emit carbon dioxide is in driving. Every litre of fuel we use results in the emission of 2.3 kilograms of CO2. I get through about 1000 litres of petrol in a year, meaning that I put 2.3 tons of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year, from driving a car. If I am very prudent about where I drive to and how often, it would be possible for me to reduce that figure to about 1 ton per year; not easy but it could be done. If we all did that we would make very significant emissions cuts.

Car sharing schemes can make a real impact in terms of reducing your and your neighbour's emissions. Cycling is also a great option. Think how the town would be with only half the traffic or even less and what side effects could be such a benefit. We could turn car parks back into gardens or orchards, for example. With peak oil making driving ever more unaffordable in the future, a low energy and low emissions town could be an even better place to live.

We can all cut emissions now and show the law makers that we do not need to wait another ten years to be forced into it. Why not give it a try?