EU asks citizens to help control climate change

The European Commission has launched a €4.7 million campaign called You Control Climate Change, which encourages EU citizens to make small changes to their daily routine in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The campaign will be launched separately in all the EU member states, Monday being the launch date in Malta.

Data show that households are directly responsible for around 16 per cent of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. Each EU citizen is responsible for 11 tonnes of these emissions every year, mainly in the form of carbon dioxide.

Most of the greenhouse gas emissions in the EU are caused by the production and use of energy (61 per cent) followed by transport (21 per cent), both of which use fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas that release emissions of carbon dioxide when burnt.

The EU will encourage every citizen to do his bit. For example, energy can be saved by avoiding the stand-by mode of TV sets, stereos and computers (saving 10 per cent of the energy they use) and printing double-sided (up to 50 per cent of paper saved).

The campaign also targets secondary school pupils who will be encouraged to sign a pledge to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and track their efforts.

During the campaign's launch, Commission President José Manuel Barroso said action against climate change was a priority.

"This campaign...makes clear to what extent we all are esponsible for climate change and what individuals can and need to do to limit this threat," he said.

Environment Commissioner Stravos Dimas said that although people may say that their individual behaviour does not matter, this is not the case.

"Households in the EU account for a large part of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions, so each of us has a role to play in bringing down emissions.

"Our campaign will provide citizens with information about climate change and their role in combating it. Doing the right thing is not as difficult as it seems."

In the coming weeks, well-known personalities such as pop stars, bands and TV weather presenters will take part in the campaign.