News UK November 2005

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People Power - 10,000 people across Greater Manchester take individual climate change pledge, November 1 2005
As G8 ministers grapple over the future of our warming planet and former US Vice President, Al Gore delivers a keynote speech to the Labour Party on climate change, ten thousand Mancunians take a pledge to combat climate change as the city region launches its 'green energy revolution'.

More than ten thousand people who live or work in Greater Manchester have pledged to help reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions by 20% before 2010, as part of a massive, city-wide campaign on climate change, entitled 'Manchester is my Planet (MIMP)'. Campaign organisers have estimated the amount of carbon dioxide savings pledged by Mancunians so far equals around 22,400 tonnes per year - that's enough CO2 to fill more than 20,000 hot air balloons, or a mind-boggling 15 billion empty wine bottles.

With support from a host of universities, large companies, radio stations and major sports clubs, eco-friendly citizens have taken the MIMP pledge via the campaign's website, www.manchesterismyplanet.com or by text message, through postcards and at street-level events that have taken place during September and October. To help them on their low-energy way, each pledger has received a campaign pack including low-energy advice, promo stickers and even a 'let's lick climate change' lollipop.

Celebrity pledgers supporting the campaign include Dr Who star Christopher Ecclestone, Manchester City football star David James, Athlete Diane Modahl, ITV and Granada presenter Fred Talbot and Coronation Street's William Roache MBE (Ken Barlow). The Manchester is my Planet campaign is being run by Manchester: Knowledge Capital and supported by organisations that include Manchester City Council and the city region's other nine local authorities, United Utilities, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Defra. Creative Concern press release / Climate change, Climate change information by local councils in England

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