'CLIMATE DURHAM' REACHES OUT TO COMMUNITY

12.00.00am GMT Wed 18th Mar 2009

Lib Dem Euro-MP and environmental campaigner Fiona Hall welcomes tomorrow's (19th March) public launch of 'Climate Durham', a new grassroots movement to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change at the community level in Durham.

Said Fiona:

"The thing that makes Climate Durham so important is the fact that it is completely community led. Local people want to be part of something which can really make a difference when it comes to climate change, and the fact that everyone shares this environmental concern makes Climate Durham a great vehicle for applying pressure on councils and political representatives to put climate change right to the top of their agenda."

"It is also a way in which individuals and businesses can work together to change the way they behave when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint. They don't have to go it alone and can share tips, ideas and support one another. I think that is what makes Climate Durham so exciting."

Climate Durham was set up by a coalition of Durham residents, businesses and institutional representatives in October 2008, building on the success of the Durham-wide Plastic Bag Reduction Partnership.

Said Janie Bickersteth, initiator and chair of Climate Durham:

"Climate Durham is a new grassroots movement that has grown out of impatience with lengthy political processes. We are not another talking shop, but active local citizens who aim to inspire and deliver action to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the consequences of climate change now."

The movement is coordinated through its website (www.climatedurham.org) where individuals, businesses and organisations can share their contributions towards meeting climate change targets, team up with other like-minded people, organise and join projects in their neighbourhoods, and get practical advice on how to reduce their carbon footprints - and save money at the same time!

For those with a real desire to do something more, there are opportunities to join one of the working groups: 'The Home', 'Transport', 'Schools' and 'Business' which develop projects to help reduce carbon emissions in their areas.

Climate Durham will be holding a public launch on 19th March at St Antony's Priory on Claypath in Durham, where anyone interested in tackling the issues around climate change is welcome (7.30-9pm).