"Promise the earth to save the earth"

Liberal Democrat Councillor Allan Knox is encouraging his constituents to join him in making a small promise which will make a big difference to the planet.

The Environment Agency is asking everyone to "promise the earth" by making one of ten pledges to save our environment. Allan said:

"I've promised to turn off the tap every morning and night while brushing my teeth. While this may seem like a pretty small thing, if enough people do it we can save tremendous amounts of water. If all 4000 people in the UK who've made the same promise keep it up for a year, we can save almost 9 million litres of water!"

Also this week the EU this week launched a new website to encourage people to take responsibility for the carbon emissions they create, after statistics showed that ordinary households are responsible for 16% of the EU's greenhouse gases. Allan added:

"In showing us how we can "take control" of our actions so to minimize our damage to the earth through climate change, the EU demonstrates once again that it is leading the fight against global warming."

Allan's pledge is:

1. I promise I will take a shower instead of a bath.

2. I promise I will put a water saving device in my toilet.

3. I promise I will turn the tap off when I brush my teeth

4. I promise to use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.

5. I promise to use a reusable bag when I shop, rather than plastic carriers.

6. I promise to air my washing in public - not in the tumble dryer

7. I promise I will boil only the water I need, rather than filling the kettle every time.

8. I promise I will share my car journeys to work with a colleague, cycle or replace those car journeys with public transport at least once a week.

9. I promise that I will pay back the environmental impact of any air travel I take

10. I promise I will organise or volunteer for an environmental project in my local community.

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