People are being urged to make small changes to the way they lead their lives to help Wales tackle climate change at the start of a major campaign by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The multi-media, bilingual campaign will include new TV adverts using the voices of Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon and West End and Broadway actor Daniel Evans. It aims to educate Welsh householders that small behaviour changes can help Wales achieve its target of reducing emissions by 3% every year from 2011.

The campaign will show that every little action people take can reduce their carbon footprint. For example, if everyone in Wales boiled only the water they needed to make a cup of tea instead of needlessly filling the kettle to the top, Welsh households could save £6 million pounds off electricity bills in a year.


People are also being urged to switch off appliances such as televisions at the main switch instead of leaving them on standby. In just one year, households in Wales waste enough electricity by leaving appliances on standby to light 630,000 homes for a year.

These are just two small actions the Welsh Assembly Government is encouraging people to take to help tackle climate change.

Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability & Housing said: "Climate change is a real challenge for us all. This campaign marks a major step in encouraging people in Wales to change their habits. It is the responsibility of everyone, from individuals to big businesses, to do their bit and help reduce our carbon footprint.

"However, taking action doesn't have to mean radically changing our way of life right now. It means taking small steps that contribute to a reducing Wales' carbon footprint. This can be simply turning off your mobile phone charger when you don't need it or not running the tap as you clean your teeth."

People are urged to log on to a new bilingual online carbon calculator, to work out their carbon footprint by gathering simple information about how they use gas, electricity and their travel choices.

(CD/NS)