The WI’s Carbon Challenge
With this year’s Energy Saving Week soon upon us (22-28 October) that venerable institution that is the Women’s Institute is getting all geared up to promote their WI Carbon Challenge with the help of Marks & Spencer. The WI, in conjunction with Café Direct, will be holding a Women’s Day on Monday 22 October and WI federations all over Britain will be helping set up farmers’ markets to promote the Carbon Challenge – the aim of the Challenge is encourage and help individuals to reduce their carbon footprint by 20 percent a year. The markets will also be attended by EST energy doctors from local Energy Efficient Advice Centres who will demonstrate carbon saving measures and offer advice and information.
In its 11th year, Energy Saving Week, held by the Energy Saving Trust, challenges eight communities, known as the C8, to encourage members to adopt energy saving practices in order to reduce their C02 emissions. A recent EST report, the Green Barometer Report, found that while 80% of people believe climate change is having an impact on the UK right now, 40% of them are doing nothing to reduce their energy usage.
As well as the WI, the C8 includes Royal Mail employees, families, gadget enthusiasts and home improvers – so if you’ve been thinking about making changes now’s the time to get motivated and get involved. Sign up online for the WI’s Carbon Challenge at www.theWI.org.uk and for more information on Energy Saving Week, visit www.est.org.uk.
