Simple steps to save energy
As 2007 begins, Helen has outlined six simple steps that anyone can do to reduce their energy use and help tackle climate change.
Helen said, “The scientific evidence that global warming is underway is now overwhelming. Autumn 2006 was the hottest on record. This is caused by the carbon dioxide emissions that come from the way we consumer energy.
“Of course this is an international problem, which is why the Government led the way on securing the Kyoto treaty under which most countries agreed to cut greenhouse gases. So far we are on track to achieve our 2010 target of 15 per cent. But to stabilise the climate we will need to make further cuts in our UK emissions by between 60 and 80 per cent by 2050.
“The Government has to take action, so later this year David Miliband will introduce a Climate Change Bill to strengthen our policies. Industry has a part in developing more fuel efficient technology for machinery, cars and appliances.
“But ordinary people can make a difference too. So if you want to make some New Year resolutions to save the planet, I will be giving some simple steps in the next few days.”
The first easy step……
“Switch off your TV when you’re not watching it – don’t leave it on stand-by!, said Helen.
“Leaving products on stand-by consumes 6-10 per cent of all household electricity so this will save you up to £40 per year. 85 per cent of the electricity used by your video recorder is consumed while it is on stand-by – that’s £150m worth of electricity across the country.
“Put another way, if the whole country stopped leaving machines on stand-by there would be enough electricity to power the whole of County Durham for a year!
“I have asked Ministers to introduce regulations to change the design, manufacture and sale of TVs with these facilities, which most of us use unthinkingly. But until they do, let’s show the change we want to see.”
More simple steps will appear on this website in the coming days.
Filed under: Uncategorized on January 4th, 2007
