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A Step In The Right Direction...

Posted: 01/11/2006

Defra are encouraging small steps as Every Action Counts in the fight against climte change. Community groups will be the first to take advantage of new action packs and resources as part of a Defra-backed initiative to help people take action on the environment. Environment Secretary David Miliband and his brother, Minister for the Third Sector, Ed Miliband visited Doncaster to launch the new community materials and website for the Every Action Counts programme.

The aim is to help local groups, clubs and societies take simple actions which will add up to make a big difference on energy, travel, food, water and waste. They are being urged to use recycled paper for newsletters, buying locally grown food for community events and holding an energy efficiency quiz at the group's next meeting.

But there is more people can do. Filling up the community mini bus with biodiesel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3%, while installing a mini wind turbine on the roof of the community building would save enough carbon dioxide over its lifetime to fill 120 double decker buses.

Every Action Counts was first announced by David Miliband in June this year, in partnership with more than 20 national voluntary sector organisations. “As a country we are currently living beyond our environmental means,” said David Miliband. “Climate change is a real sign that we need to start living by the idea of one planet living – using the natural resources of just one planet sustainably rather than wasting the resources on such a scale that it equates to three planets.

“It is often easier to make more environmentally friendly choices by working together in groups and so the hundreds of thousands of local groups, clubs and societies across the country hold the key. Every group, no matter how big or small, rural or urban, can make a difference and the new exciting activities available under Every Action Counts will help remove some of the barriers to action.”

Ed Miliband said: "The third sector has a critical role to play in responding to climate change and the one planet living ethos which says we must live within our planet's resources. Having traditionally led the way on social justice, a strong and thriving third sector in the 21 st century is one which puts these big environmental challenges at the heart of its work.

"The Every Action Counts initiative aims to help unlock the potential of the sector - both individually and collectively - to take an active and committed lead on these issues within their communities."

The new community packs contain fun activities, information and simple ideas to raise awareness about the environment and help groups take action. There is also a new interactive website for community groups and the voluntary sector to track their progress with the Every Action Counts Evaluator.

Also part of the scheme, specially trained ‘community champion' volunteers in every region will be on hand to help local groups get the most from the packs.

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