Act Now to Stop Climate Change, urges Trust

Tornadoes, hail stones the size of tennis balls, tidal waves, and a big freeze that kills off the Royal Family - that's the freaky weather on show in the new Hollywood blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow which opens this week across Wiltshire.

The apocalyptic film is fiction, but the fact is that climate change is happening right now. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust believes that unless we take action we face the risk of drought, flooding, heatwaves and the devastation of our wildlife here in Wiltshire and around the globe.

Scientists believe a key contributor to our changing climate is the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. About 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions come from the energy we use in our houses. The good news is that we can all help prevent climate change by cutting the energy we waste.

"In the UK we waste £96 million of energy every week, which adds up to a lot of carbon dioxide. Climate change is now a reality - the Day After Tomorrow is here today and we all need to do our bit to reduce our impact on our planet. Simple actions like turning off the light when we leave a room or boiling only the correct amount of water for a cup of tea all add up," explains the Trust's Energy Projects Manager Jo Badham.

"Things you can do to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions include installing cavity wall insulation and low energy lightbulbs, but many measures won't cost you a penny. Phone the Energy Efficiency Advice Line, based at the Trust, on 0800 512012 to find out more," says Jo.

One thing you can do is join the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Switch On Energy Club. It is free to join and members can get exclusive discounts of up to 45% on cavity wall and loft insulation. Further discounts are available on radiator panels, energy efficient light bulbs, and solar powered products such as garden lights.

"Small actions by many people can add up to a fantastic change for the better," says Jo.

One of the UK's leading nature conservation charities, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has over 16,000 members and supporters, and more than a thousand volunteers, working to conserve the Wiltshire countryside and the rich variety of plants and animals that live there.

The Trust owns or manages 2,000 acres of nature reserves that provide havens for plants and animals. It also advises landowners on how to manage their land with wildlife in mind, and comments on structure plans and planning applications that affect sites of wildlife interest. The Trust is also actively promotes energy efficiency and waste prevention in the home, community wildlife programmes and environmental education.

The Trust runs the local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, which is part funded by the Energy Saving Trust.

For more information contact Sue Litherland, communications officer, 01380 725670, email suel@wiltshirewildife.org