Green Party councillors in Bradford have given their backing to a scheme which hopes to encourage a national trend towards living environmentally-friendly lifestyles.

The Green-Engage project is being run on behalf of various environmental organisations, such as Friends of the Earth and Transport 2000, to find out what people really think about the environment and will give advice how they can change their lifestyles to protect the environment.

A internet-based survey is being carried out to assess people's attitudes, opinions and lifestyle choices.

"It will make a difference to people in Bradford because they don't always know how to go about making a change in their own lifestyles," said Councillor David Ford (Green, Heaton).

"But systems for change must also be put into place by groups like Bradford Council."

A main concern of Green-Engage is to promote ways of making small changes which will be compatible with a modern, hectic lifestyle and will have an overall effect on the environment.

"People are frightened that they cannot make a lifestyle change," said Councillor Kevin Warnes (Green, Shipley).

"But we don't need to make huge changes to have an effect. For example if we could encourage people to shop more locally and use their cars just a little bit less - all of this would have an impact."

Coun Warnes agreed that Government and local authority support was necessary to help people adopt a greener lifestyle.

"In the past it used to be that those who recycled were a little bit weird, but nowadays, because of facilities and availability, people want to recycle much more," he said.

Green-Engage is asking people about and giving out advice on lifestyle choices in 13 areas which include transport; rubbish; holidays, leisure and travel; food purchases; energy use in the home; chemicals, water use and investment in environmentally-friendly schemes.

The information highlights environmental benefits to making changes in daily activity such as shopping, transport and recycling.

Green-Engage co-ordinator Steve Hounsham said: "This work is not before time. Environmental groups argue that not enough of us have adopted green lifestyles but many people believe a sustainable, environmentally-friendly life is one of sacrifice, hardship and pessimism.

"It's time the Green movement showed it could, in fact, be a happier, more attractive and simply nicer way of life."

To take part in the survey log on to www.transport2000.org.uk or telephone: (0207) 6130743 extension: 106.