Mr Gordon Brown, if you really want to become an effective PM please lead by example and not just "rule".
If (given that the UK produces a very small percentage of World production) it is important that the UK reduces our national Carbon Footprint, the article below provides some suggestions on how. Other forum members please add your suggestions.
1. Help individuals become aware of how they live affects the production of CO2.
Encourage people to
- calculate their carbon footprint, see http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.html
One action is to record the electricity used with an electricity meter (available from a national DIY shop at less than £10) so that standby and in-use consumption is known and can be reduced. I am now saving £70 per annum of my £400 home electricity bills by switching off everything when not in use.
2. Take action at a National level
Cut out wasted electricity. Do we really need lights kept on all night that illuminate:
- local streets, our roads and national highways
- Civil service, Government and private enterprise offices
-- welshmike
We need government leadership re carbon footprints.
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Mike Welsh - 2007-05-19 09:10:37 |
| Re: We need government leadership re carbon footprints. | Ed von Gohren - 2007-09-16 18:18:22 |
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Yes, Welsh Mike. I agree. But we also need a whole lot more individuals willing to change their personal life style from consume, consume, consume to save, use less, recycle more. The state of the world climate change now requires both a top down and a bottom up attack.
Currently, the government seems more intent upon driving alternative generation up, and this one is failing miserably. Examples of causes of failures include safety regulations which seem to mandate the location and operation of street lighting, Inability to mandate energy saving (and cost cutting) actions within the bureucracy, placing visual impact above the good of the planet, etc. The big problem that arises when we put too much faith in the government has been seen this past month. As soon as green tax was suggested for short haul flights and gas-guzzling urban assault vehicles, the voters and non voters raised a resounding cry. Equally at fault are the vast majority of households who simply will not make the minor sacrifices that are required to reduce their carbon footprint and join those who try to short circute government attempts.
Horatio Hornblower might say "It is time for all of us to do our duuty". You have worked for a significant reduction in Kwhrs. Mine exceeds 30% less now than two to four years ago. Others are also doing their bit, but oh so many are just continuing as if there will be no |
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