Season of the switch! (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Season of the switch!

2:02pm Saturday 10th February 2007 in

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Next week is about helping people take action that can make the environment better, homes warmer and everyone generally better off.

Energy efficiency is important because the more energy used the more carbon dioxide is produced. The gas, which is released by burning fossil fuels, is the leading cause of climate change.

Energy efficiency week is an initiative run by the Energy Saving Trust and is now in its eighth year. Employees at Bradford Council are doing their bit as bosses encourage them to turn off all unnecessary lighting and electrical appliances today.

The aim of Switch Off Day is to show the saving that can be achieved when people turn off lights and equipment that is normally left on in Council offices.

John Bibby, senior policy officer for Bradford Council deals with environmental work. He said: "the key aspect at the moment is climate change and the Council is very keen on trying to reduce its impact on the climate.

"We are starting a campaign and the first initiative is Switch Off Day.

"We are working with staff in the high-energy-using buildings and those in the large office blocks such as City Hall and Jacob's Well, as well as the leisure centres across district.

"The idea is that we encourage staff by stopping them and giving them information. We are encouraging them to switch off monitors, their computers and unnecessary lighting. And, when they leave at the end of the day to turn things off that do not need to be on, such as printers and photocopiers."

A series of posters have been produced and staff have been given "switch me off" stickers to place on electrical equipment.

Mr Bibby said: "We are going to start today and the idea is that we encourage this to be continued day to day and week on week. We have a baseline level of activity so we know what the level is before the initiative.

"We will be seeing what difference has been made at the end of the day and what difference could be made if it is continued.

"We will be revisiting the details in six months' time and in 12 months' time to see if the improvement has been sustained."

Delegates from across the world met to discuss the Yorkshire and Humber Energy Strategy last week. The strategy sets out what the region needs to do on energy generation and supply to achieve regional energy targets and maintain affordable supplies.

Peter Box, chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, said: "Energy is one of the key challenges facing the region and this innovative strategy will enable key regional organisations to take better-informed decisions to make the most of our resources, natural and otherwise.

"Yorkshire Forward chief executive Tom Riordan said: "The region is a net exporter of energy to the rest of the UK and has a key role to play in energy generation.

will continue to work with partners to deliver the aims of the Regional Energy Strategy by establishing an extensive renewables and bio-energy infrastructure, promoting the widespread use of combined heat and power and carbon capture technologies, and stimulating the development of cleaner coal power stations."

Age Concern Bradford and District is offering information about energy-saving measures and showing people how to save money while conserving energy. Its face-to-face sessions include using an online energy calculator to work out how much is being spent on fuel and energy bills and how to cut down.

The charity has teamed up with Powergen and is offering customers free low-energy lightbulbs, carbon monoxide detectors and hypothermia thermometers.

Mohammed Shakeel, district manager for the charity, said: "All older people need to do is to bring along a couple of their most recent bills and we can point out ways they can cut down on their expenditure. It's as simple as that."

Over the week, staff will be available to lend expertise on a range of issues important to older people when the temperature drops.

Mr Shakeel said: "Many older people prefer to speak to someone in person and for older people, who have to make every penny count, the opportunity of having first-hand, expert advice on issues ranging from cold weather payments to Government benefits will prove invaluable.

"We know that older householders can save those precious pounds by observing a few easy practical tips.

"For example, just turning the thermostat down by one per cent can save around £50 a year on a typical, three-bedroom, semi-detached house using central heating. And merely shutting doors and curtains means the heat stays in longer while the draughts stay out.

"We'll be giving a big, warm welcome to all who take the time to pop in and see us and we'll also have staff on hand to talk through our Energy Services package, which is specifically designed to meet the needs of the older person and aims to help improve energy efficiency in the home."

l For more information about Energy Efficiency Week, call (01274) 395144 or visit the Age Concern offices at 19 Sunbridge Road, Bradford.