MSP RISES TO HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE (Jim Hume)

MSP RISES TO HOME ENERGY CHALLENGE

June 29, 2007 12:00 AM

South of Scotland MSP Jim Hume has joined four other MSPs from each of Scotland's political parties and agreed to accept Friends of the Earth

Scotland's 'Home Energy Challenge'. Over the next year Jim Hume will make it his mission to cut carbon emissions and make their homes more 'climate-friendly'.

The challenge, which was officially launched today, will be to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions (the main source of climate change) from energy used in their homes to as low a level as they can over the course of a year. This will involve taking measures to make their homes more energy efficient, such as loft insulation and low energy light bulbs, or perhaps installing a solar panel to give them green electricity or hot water.

Jim will have his home energy use calculated by experts from the Energy Saving Trust. The winner will receive a prize of £500 to donate to a charity of their choice.

Jim Hume MSP said:

"I'm delighted to be one of the participating MSPs in the Friends of the Earth Scotland home energy challenge and as Shadow Environment Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats it is entirely appropriate. I commend FoE on their innovative and hands on project. It'll be interesting to see the results of my home energy survey and I look forward to finding out what changes my family and I can make over the year to improve our energy efficiency.

"Our planet's sustainability is top of the agenda and we can all do our bit. Often people speak in terms of environmental issues versus economic development, well, I know the two go hand in hand. If we deplete our energy supply, then economic development will grind to a halt."

Friends of the Earth Scotland's greener homes officer, Liz Murray, added:

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges that we face as a society. It is important for everyone to play their part and for Government to support that. By taking up this challenge, the five MSPs will be playing their part personally. And in doing this, they will see at first hand what Government could do to make it easier for all households in Scotland to become more climate-friendly."

Note:

Friends of the Earth Scotland would like to thank the Polden Puckham Charitable Trust for providing funding to support the development of this project.