It's time to ACT ON CO2 - climate change campaign launched
Defra has launched a public campaign on tackling climate change.
Defra's ACT ON CO2-branded campaign aims to make people aware of the link between their own everyday behaviour and climate change. Its key message is that carbon emissions cause climate change and 40% of emissions in the UK come directly from individual behaviour.
Research suggests that, while 97% of people now acknowledge that humans are contributing to climate change (and 80% think humans are the main cause), people are still confused about the specific causes of climate change and what they can do about it.
When asked what actions they could take to limit climate change, 44% of people said recycle more. Twenty-eight percent said drive less often, only 14 percent said reduce electricity use and only seven percent said use less heating. (ICM Research, March 2007 - see below.)
Defra's campaign tells people the simple, easy things they can do to reduce their impact on the climate, that will often save them money too. Examples are walking a short distance rather than driving, drying clothes outside rather than in a machine, and only part-filling a kettle.
The campaign’s main web pages are on the Environment and Greener Living channel of DirectGov, the cross-government public services website.
The first phase of the campaign features online advertisements that will appear on the most popular websites such a Yahoo, AOL and Streetmap. Part of a short film on climate change will also be shown on TV from April. Also in April a climate change pack will be sent to all secondary schools in England. It will include a DVD copy of Al Gore film An Inconvenient Truth.
The ACT ON CO2 cross-government brand was developed jointly by Defra and the Department for Transport. The Department for Transport’s ACT ON CO2 Drive Smarter campaign launched on 11 March - see the DfT website.
Further information
ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 3111 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 7-15 March 2007. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk.
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Page published: 26 March 2007