Mrs Joan Ruddock, the Minister for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Waste, gave a ringing endorsement to ‘Everybody’s talking about climate change’ campaign which is designed to increase public awareness of climate change and help us all feel better able to tackle climate change , at  home and when traveling.

The Minister, who is MP for Lewisham, Deptford, was recently in the Victoria Shopping Centre, Nottingham, for a visit to the city to attend a  Defra national roadshow,  ‘Acton on CO2’, which provided the chance for people to log onto the Defra website and calculate their carbon footprint. You too can do this now by clicking here.

‘Everybody’s Talking About Climate Change’, is a joint-effort between all 19 local authorities in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and is funded by Defra.  It was launched in March, and ends next February.

A number of councilors from the campaign partnership were able to meet Joan Ruddock and outline the work we are doing locally in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and calculate their personal carbon footprint.

Residents throughout the two counties are being asked to pledge to take practical steps to help tackle climate change, and reduce their household’s CO2 emissions. Nearly 5000 people have already done so and reduced their household carbon footprint by up to an amazing 25%.

If you feel you too can join in and pledge to help to tackle climate, then please click here  and add your personal pledge – It’s quick, easy and really can make a difference.

A mobile exhibition unit, which runs on part bio-diesel fuel, and features carbon reducing photo-voltaic cells and a wind generator, is touring the two counties, answering residents’ questions, giving practical advice on energy saving measures, and supplying low-energy light bulbs. For details of pledging events , please click here. 

Commenting on the first six months of ‘Everybody’s Talking’, Ian Gordon, the campaign manager said “We’ve already seen a significant shift in people’s awareness of climate change, and more and more of us are now taking practical steps to save energy, recycle, and reduce pollution.”  “There is still a long way to go”, he added, “but the campaign has got off to a good start and the realisation that together we really can make a difference, is now gaining momentum.”.

The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Local Authorities Energy Partnership (LAEP) comprises of all 19 local authorities in the two counties.

Formed in 1996 the Partnership develops sustainable energy strategies and projects for all the partner councils and aims to contribute to national energy policy and make an effective contribution to climate change mitigation.

'Everybody's talking' is a DEFRA-supported campaign designed to change attitudes and raise awareness of climate change.