You Control Climate Change

Telling consumers to "Turn down. Switch off. Recycle. Walk.”, the European Union recently launched a campaign to get citizens to make small changes in their daily routines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pull in the reigns on global warming. Headed by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas in Brussels, the campaign aims to empower the European citizenry and "complements and reinforces our political and legislative efforts. It makes clear to which extent we all are responsible for climate change and what individuals can and need to do to limit this threat," according to President Barroso. Among other things, it explains climate change and its effects and gives some 50 tips how to reduce emissions, ranging from turning down the heating by 1ºC (up to 10% of the energy used for heating saved) to avoiding the stand-by mode of TV sets, stereos and computers (10% of the energy they use saved) and printing double-sided (up to 50% of paper saved). A carbon calculator calculates the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) saved by each action, and visitors can also download a power-saving screen saver for their computers. While the website will be available permanently, the campaign will be carried out in three concentrated waves:in June, September and November 2006. ::You Control Climate Change via ::Green Car Congress