"This online guide provides information to help people who want to take action to make informed choices – not lecture them about what they should do"
David Miliband, Environment Secretary
Defra has launched a new online guide to greener living on the government's main public website, Directgov.
The guide is designed to help people find out what they can do in their everyday lives to tackle climate change and other environmental issues.
Waste management is prominent amongst a number of categories and provides links to information on waste and recycling as follows:
- Recycling
- Reducing, re-using and repairing
- Disposal of hazardous waste
- More about waste and recycling...
The guide also includes actions involving the home, shopping, travel, food and drink, energy and water saving, gardening, and also ideas on how to be greener in the workplace, school or community.
Environment Secretary David Miliband said individuals had an important role to play as over 40% of carbon emissions stem from their actions.
Mr. Miliband said,
“Providing a reliable, easy to understand online resource is one way to help people find out about what they can do to tackle climate change”.
He continued, ”There are lots of different things individuals can do reduce the harm their lifestyles do to the environment. This online guide provides information to help people who want to take action to make informed choices – not lecture them about what they should do.”
Other projects to be launched next year include developing a carbon calculator and more tools to help people reduce their carbon footprints.
Direct Gov web page for Environment and greener living
The web page provides useful information for individuals on the following categories of green issues and it can be viewed on the Direct Gov website:
Greener living: a quick guide to what you can do
What effect do we have on the planet?
Find out about the environment where you live
More about greener living...
Waste and recycling
Recycling
Reducing, re-using and repairing
Disposal of hazardous waste
More about waste and recycling...
Energy and water saving
Saving water in your home
Saving energy in your home
Renewable energy
More about energy and water saving...
Greener home
Insulating and heating your home efficiently
Energy, water and money saving appliances
Greener DIY - improve your home and the environment
Buying greener furniture, flooring and fittings
More about a greener home...
Greener garden
Saving water in your garden
Controlling pests and weeds: greener choices
Soil and fertilisers: greener choices
Sheds, greenhouses and garden furniture: greener choices
More about a greener garden...
Greener shopping
Green labels and claims
TV and electronic goods: greener choices
Computers, gadgets and mobile phones
Buying recycled products
More about greener shopping...
Greener food and drink
Buying food: greener choices
Greener kitchen
Greener travel
Greener cars and driving
Air travel and the environment
More about greener travel...
Greener life events
Moving home
More about greener life events...
Greener work, school and community
Being greener at work
Greener schools: what parents can do
How to make your club or group greener
More about greener work, school and community...
[Sources: Defra and Direct Gov websites. Part of the article is Crown © 2006]