LOCAL MP MAKES GREEN PROMISE ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

3.16.16pm GMT Thu 7th Jun 2007

Annette Brooke MP is encouraging her constituents to join her in making a promise to the environment to mark World Environment Day 2007.

Speaking on World Environment Day (June 5th), Annette Brooke MP said:

"Climate change is a global issue. But tackling it starts at home.

"Over a quarter of the UK's carbon emissions come from heating, lighting and running power supplies in our homes.

"Small actions, such as saving water and switching off the lights can, when taken together, make a big difference.

"If everyone in the developed world makes even one small change to their daily life to reduce their energy use, such as not leaving the TV on stand-by or overfilling the kettle, that would make a huge difference to our global energy use and the amount of carbon we emit.

"Of course there is more the government should be doing. The Liberal Democrats have set out plans for radically improving home energy efficiency, producing greener electricity and switching taxes from income to pollution and energy use. That is what we would do if we were in government.

"But there is action each of us can take now. This year I am making a personal commitment to recycle more for example, by using reusable bags and to ensure appliances are not left on standby. While this may seem like a pretty small thing, if enough people do it we can save tremendous amounts of energy/water.

"I hope other local people will join me in making a green promise to mark World Environment Day 2007."

Notes to Editors

1. More information on Lib Dem proposals

For more information on the Liberal Democrat Climate Change Starts at Home plan see http://www.libdems.org.uk/news/climate-change-starts-at-home-campaign.12418.html

For more information on the Liberal Democrat Green Tax Switch see http://www.libdems.org.uk/media/documents/parliament/green_switch_180506.pdf

For more information on Liberal Democrat plans for green energy see http://www.libdems.org.uk/media/documents/parliament/Energy_MRV_Paper_Final%20Final1.doc

2. 15 ways in which people can save energy and reduce their 'carbon footprint'

1. Use energy-saving light bulbs

2. Turn down the thermostat by one degree

3. Take a shower instead of a bath

4. Put a water saving device in your toilet

5. Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth

6. Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones

7. Use a reusable bag, rather than plastic carriers

8. Dry washing by hanging it, rather than tumble drying

9. Wash clothes at lower temperatures

10. Draught-proof windows and doors

11. Boil only the water you need, rather than filling the kettle every time

12. Switch off TVs and other electrical appliances at the mains rather than leaving them on stand-by, and unplug mobile phone chargers when they are not in use

13. Increase the amount you recycle - check with your council what they have recycling facilities for, it might be more than you think!

14. Share car journeys to work with a colleague, cycle or replace those car journeys with public transport at least once a week

15. Switch to a more environmentally friendly electricity supplier. E.g. Lib Dem HQ in Westminster gets its electricity from Good Energy, who supply only 100% renewable electricity from the natural energy of wind, sun, or running water.