Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Despite growing concern about climate change, when it comes to making New Year's resolutions, Britons are more worried about losing weight than saving the planet. According to a YouGov poll, just 15 per cent of Britons have resolved to reduce their carbon footprint in 2008 compared to 38 per cent pledging to lose weight and 20 per cent aiming to make more money.

To help people take action against climate change in 2008, the Government has developed an online carbon calculator - http://www.direct.gov.uk/ActOnCO2 - which enables people to work out the size of their carbon footprint and provides them with a personal action plan to reduce it.

Individuals are responsible for more than 40 per cent of CO2 emissions in the UK - mainly from energy use in the home and travel - but there are many simple, low cost ways to cut down the amount of CO2 emissions we create. Here are a few suggestions:

* Cycling to work or walk children to school rather than taking the car;

* Make sure you unplug appliances when not in use and don't leave TVs, DVD players or stereos on stand-by;

* Turn the thermostat down by 1 degree c;

* Insulate your hot water tank and pipes - a British standard lagging jacket will save you money and reduce emissions;

* Extend your low-carbon entertainment into the New Year and switch off the TV and entertainment systems for the night; and

* Ensure you use the dishwasher or washing machine only when you have a full load.

Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said:

"It is imperative that we all do our bit to try to limit the effects of climate change. Our Act on CO2 calculator enables people to work out their current carbon emissions using government-recognised data and provides a personalised action plan with steps you can take to make a positive difference.

"Over 500,000 people have already logged on to http://www.direct.gov.uk/ActOnCO2 to find out how they can reduce their carbon footprint and we're hoping many more will do the same throughout 2008."

(Source DEFRA)

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