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by Chris Kelsey, South Wales Echo
THE Energy Saving Trust has enlisted the help of the Climate Change Champions for Energy Saving Week 2009.
The six champions, who were appointed in their eco-roles by the Assembly Government, are taking part in a week-long task to encourage five families to take simple steps to reduce their carbon footprints and save money on fuel bills.
The Climate Change Champions are six teenagers from across Wales who were appointed to encourage and educate their friends, families and local community on the small things they can do to reduce their carbon emissions and in turn help to reduce Wales’ carbon footprint.
They are Cerith Jones, 16, from Ammanford, Charlie Young, 17, from Llantwit Major, Anna Surridge, 16, from Cardiff, Jordan Nicholls, 15, from Llandrindod Wells, Ffion Roberts, 15, from Pwllheli and Dafydd Richards, 14, from Merthyr.
Their Energy Saving Week challenges include:
Encouraging five families on their street to install a water saving hippo in their toilet – the hippo bag fits into the household toilet cistern and each time the toilet is flushed the Hippo saves approximately three litres of water;
Encouraging five families to leave the car behind and walk, cycle or catch the bus or train to work;
Encouraging five families to install energy saving lightbulbs and to get a free home energy report by taking the Energy Saving Trust’s Home Energy Check Questionnaire at energysavingtrust.org.uk/check.
The report will show how the families could save up to £300 on their fuel bills.
Champion Jordan Nicholls said: “The Energy Saving Trust challenge is a great way of making people think about how they can make small changes to reduce their carbon footprint. I think that everyone across Wales should install a water-saving ‘hippo’ in their toilets just like I’m getting my neighbours to do. The good news is they can be requested for free from www.dwrcymru.com and saving water helps save money on bills too.”
Champion Ffion Roberts said: “I’ve been encouraging people to reduce their carbon footprint by car-sharing or using alternative means of transport. My teachers at Ysgol Botwnnog have really taken this on board and now lots of them share lifts or cycle to school. Changing the way we travel is one of the easiest ways we can all reduce our carbon footprint.”
Ms Northmore said: “We are delighted that the Champions have accepted our challenge and we hope that the families involved will come away with new ideas so that they can save money and reduce their carbon footprint.”
To find out what’s happening during Energy Saving Week, or for advice on how to save energy, call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 or visit energysavingrust.org.uk
