03/03/2008
Colchester2020 to set out ‘Colchester Carbon Challenge’
There are many simple ways in which we can all reduce our Carbon Footprint and help make Colchester a bastion of excellence in our attempts to secure the future of the planet for our grandchildren and generations to come.
An average 3 bed house with traditional tungsten filament lighting will emit 800 kgs of CO2a year.
An equivalent house using energy efficient lighting throughout will emit only 90 kgs of CO2in the same period.
There are many simple ways in which we can all reduce our Carbon Footprint and help make Colchester a bastion of excellence in our attempts to secure the future of the planet for our grandchildren and generations to come. These issues will be the feature of Colchester2020’s forthcoming assembly meeting on Thursday 13 March 2008 at which the Partnership will set out the Colchester Carbon Challenge to encourage individuals, organisations and business’ to achieve a reduction in Colchester’s Carbon Emissions by 2020.
Peter Powell, Lead Partner for Carbon Reduction said:
"We want businesses and individuals to realise it is up to each of us to contribute to carbon reduction. We cannot rely on others and if others appear reluctant to help we must set an example. This does not necessarily mean immediate, total and fundamental changes in lifestyle. It means making several small changes which together can make a difference - and a difference to your bills as well".
The Assembly will also include three main presentations entitled “The Local Picture”, “How You Can Make a Difference” and “What Climate Change Means To and For Local People”. The Assembly will take place at The United Reformed Church, Lion Walk, Colchester between 9am and 1.30pm on Thursday 13th March.
Sam Apsley of The Carbon Trust said:
“Climate Change has been described as the greatest danger facing the earth today. A major contributor to this change is the emission to the atmosphere of “greenhouse gases” such as carbon dioxide and methane. We all need to take action and The Carbon Trust is tasked with helping to mitigate the problem. The purpose of this presentation is to show Colchester businesses and residents the sort of help they can obtain from The Carbon Trust.”
In preparation for this event there will be a chance to see Al Gore’s Oscar-winning documentary about global warming, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ at the Odeon Cinema, Colchester on Thursday 6 March at 8.00am.
Dr Elizabeth Hall, Chair of Colchester2020 said:
“Long before recycling and carbon emission reduction became household buzz words, my family were recycling our peelings and paper and composting them in our garden, bottles and tins sorted for collection and anything possible taken to the dump. My husband is a fanatical checker of our bins for recyclable waste and nags about turning off stand-by lights. We walk or cycle around Colchester when possible rather than use the car - healthier, cheaper and quicker! I know these seem small changes in habit but if we all do our bit it adds up. As a Grandmother I really believe that it is vitally important that we all try to secure a healthier environment for our grandchildren and future generations.”
To secure a place for the assembly and / or the viewing of the film, allocated on a first come first served basis, please call 01206 282348. Email: colchester2020@colchester.gov.uk or register on line at www.colchester2020.com/registration.asp
Thanks to Propack (UK Packaging), Whitehall Industrial Estate, Colchester for supplying the cardboard boxes.
