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Big launch of energy saving campaign
Posted on 28/09/2009
Community Services
A campaign to encourage people to use energy more efficiently has been launched at Leicester City Football Club.
The Walkers Stadium played host to the launch of this year’s Big Switch Off event today, which runs from October 12-18.
Filbert Fox and Leicester City legend Alan Birchenall joined schoolchildren on the pitch along with 539 balloons representing 1000th of the amount of carbon dioxide an average UK family uses per year.
The launch was also attended by representatives of local authorities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton.
During the Big Switch Off week people are encouraged to save energy – and cut their bills at the same time – by turning off electrical equipment not in use and using energy more efficiently.
People are being urged visit: www.leics.gov.uk/bigswitchoff and sign an e-pledge to make an extra effort to change their habits during the week.
Measures people can take to reduce their energy use can include:
- Turning off phone chargers that are not in use
- Switching off standby buttons on TVs, computers and games consoles
- Only boiling the amount of water in kettles which is needed
- Turning off lamps in rooms which are unoccupied and not used for security purposes.
The energy used during the week will be monitored by Central Networks which will calculate how much was saved.
Prof Mike Preston, Chairman of ENABLE (Environmental Action for a Better Leicestershire), said: “I am delighted to launch this year’s Big Switch Off.
Everyone can get involved and take some simple steps to save energy – and money.
“It has been estimated that an average household can save up to £37 a year alone just by turning off appliances that are left on standby – that adds up to more than £13 million for the whole of Leicestershire!
“I hope people take a minute or two to sign up to the online pledge and get involved with the campaign.”
Last year The Latimer Primary School, who took part in today's launch, reduced its energy use by 69 per cent when it took part in the Big Switch Off.
Eco coordinator at the school Claire Cooke said: “We were delighted to have been invited to the launch at the Walkers Stadium.
“We are looking forward to taking part in the Big Switch Off again this year and showing how the children’s learning about the environment and energy saving has progressed.”
At the launch the winners of a certificate design competition were presented with £25 book tokens for Waterstones.
The winners were:
- Key Stage one: Jack Harvey, 7, Ryhall Primary School,
- Key Stage two: Milly Walker, 10, Oakham Primary School
Their designs will be incorporated into certificates presented to families, communities and businesses who take part in year long energy saving challenge.
The Big Switch off is a partnership lead by ENABLE and local authorities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, together with the rural Community Council, Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire and Central Networks.