One million people turn to ACT ON CO2 calculator for advice on fighting climate change
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: The ACT ON CO2 calculator - which helps people to work out and reduce their carbon footprint - has received its one millionth unique visitor, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced today.
The calculator, which was launched last Summer, enables people to reliably calculate their carbon footprint from home energy, appliances and transport. It then develops a personalised action plan for users, with practical steps they can take to cut their emissions.
Climate Change Minister, Joan Ruddock, said:
"A significant part of the fight against climate change is about the action we can take as individuals. On World Environment Day it is really encouraging that so many people are deciding to Act on CO2 to help the environment. Our calculator, http://www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2, has received a million visitors in a year."
Joan Ruddock who will today attend the Birmingham City Council/Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment () Climate Change Festival, added, "I am always impressed at the imaginative and intelligent ways that people engage with the reality of climate change, as evidenced by some of the wonderful work we can see at this festival in Birmingham, where people of all ages and backgrounds are thinking about the future of their homes and their city and how they can work together as a community."
Ms Ruddock will be speaking as part of the launch of Birmingham's new climate change strategy and will praise the City's ambitious targets to become a truly low carbon city.
"Cities like Birmingham that are taking action now to reduce their carbon emissions and are starting to adapt to a changing climate are already becoming better places in which to live and work. Cities with a clear vision can inspire and motivate individuals and businesses to reduce their own carbon emissions."
Environment Minister, Phil Woolas, said young people had a key role in tackling climate change.
Mr Woolas, who will today be attending Microsoft's 'Imagine Cup' awards in London, which promotes the work of young programmers and this year focuses on creating a sustainable environment, said: "Technical innovation is the key to tackling climate change, and Britain has the talent and the vision to provide that innovation.
"We know that in the near future, the strongest economies will be low carbon economies. By facing these challenges head on, not only will we be able to help fight climate change in the UK, but we will be providing leadership and innovation, enabling millions of people around the world to fight climate change in their own lives."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. World Environment Day takes place every year on 5 June and is run by the United Nations Environmental Programme. This year's theme is on moving towards a low carbon economy.
2. The Environment Agency leads on World Environment Day issues in the UK and this year's theme is "Stand up to Climate Change". Full details of the Environment Agency's World Environment Day work can be found at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
3. Defra's ACT ON CO2 calculator was launched by former Environment Secretary David Miliband on 20 June 2007. The calculator, which can be found at http://www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2 is part of a cross-Government campaign which aims to make people aware of the link between their own everyday behaviour and climate change. More information can be found at: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/index.htm
4. The UK winners of Microsoft's sixth annual Imagine Cup competition will be announced on World Environment Day. The 2008 UK winners, will be representing the nation at the global final in Paris in July. This year, the Imagine Cup competition challenged students to 'Imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment.' The winners work reflected valuable, real-world solutions to this challenge and they now have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes totaling more than $180,000 (US). http://imaginecup.com/
5. The Birmingham climate change festival, http://www.climatechangefestival.org.uk, is a new initiative developed by Birmingham City Council and CABE, the Government's urban design watchdog. The festival aims to lead the low carbon transformation, and builds on collaboration between CABE and the Core Cities Group, http://www.corecities.com, a network of England's eight major regional cities.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
To subscribe or unsubscribe to Defra's mailing list go to: http://nds.coi.gov.uk
Once on the NDS website see Sign up
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Published on: 2008-06-05
Limited copyright is granted for you to use and/or republish any story on this site for
any legitimate media purpose as long as you reference 7thSpace and any source mentioned in the story above. Please
make sure to read our disclaimer prior to contacting 7thSpace Interactive. To contact our editors, visit our online helpdesk. If you wish submit your own press release, click here.
Social Bookmarking
Digg this! | Post to del.icio.us | Post to Furl | Add to Netscape | Add to Yahoo! | Rojo
|
|
