Member of Parliament for South Shields
Shields Gazette 2007
Climate Change Pledge Card
Not a week goes by when I don't receive letters from South Shields residents about the environment. It is clear that we must do something now - and not leave it for our grandchildren to sort.
On Tuesday I launched Labour's new Climate Change pledge card, which sets out how this government working in partnership with councils, energy companies and the Energy Saving Trust will help households take simple steps to cut energy bills by up to £300 per year and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. The pledge card highlights five examples of action that households can take and five ways this Labour government will support individual action.
Five things Gazette readers can do -
Turn your thermostat down by 1C.
Turn appliances off when not in use.
Replace your light bulbs with energy saving ones.
Do your washing at a lower temperature
Get a home energy check.
Louise and I have followed all these actions and we have asked for the advice of the Energy Saving Trust who undertook a energy check on our home in South Shields
The Governments pledge to support you is -
Home insulation programme
Free electricity monitors
Phase out energy inefficient light bulbs
Higher product standards and labelling
Home energy ratings.
Everyone in South Shields has a role to play in tackling climate change - whether it be at school, home or work. Individuals are responsible for over 40 per cent of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions through energy use in homes and personal transport - but I know that South Shields wants to do its bit. With information and support we can all make a difference. That is why the simple steps above will help cut energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions.
Labour is working hard to combat climate change - but only by working together will we succeed. I hope that you will join with me in doing your bit to reduce emissions at home, work and school.