Giant beach footprint promotes energy saving

Aug 27 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

A GIANT footprint appeared on Ainsdale beach yesterday as part of a campaign to raise awareness about climate change.

Around 20ft long by eight foot wide, the footprint was created to prompt people to calculate their individual “carbon footprint” by logging on to a new government website.

The website features a new online calculator which gauges an individual’s carbon footprint based on energy use in the home, transport and appliances.

The calculator then develops a personalised action plan for users including advice on how to cut their emissions – and their energy bills.

The event is part of the Government’s “Act on CO²” campaign, which encourages individuals to make changes to their lifestyle to reduce their impact on the environment.

The footprint was on view at Ainsdale all day and information leaflets and energy-saving freebies were given to beach-goers.

The Government says more than 40%Šof CO² emissions in the UK come directly from what we do as individuals, and advises on energy savings measures such as washing clothes at 30°c, replacing light bulbs with energy-saving ones and not leaving appliances on standby.