Policy Focus

ALDE group launches EU-wide climate campaign

STRASBOURG – Parliament's ALDE group has launched aclimate change campaign aimed at encouraging people to takeindividual action on the environment.

The initiative centres on an interactive website calledthechangers.eu, which the group say will promote everyday actionswhich can help reduce the damage being done to theenvironment.

ALDE group leader Graham Watson stressed that the initiative wasmore than just another environmental publicity stunt.

“This is the next stage in our own climate change awarenesscampaign, aimed at what each citizen can do to make a difference,”he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“This is not just something we’ve plucked out of the air, this is astrategy we’ve been working on for 15 months,” he added.

The website will promote actions such as turning down thetemperature of household heating, reusing plastic bags andswitching off the tap when cleaning your teeth.

Swedish ALDE deputy Lena EK said that the website, which willinvolve a virtual community called The Changers, will be primarilyaimed at young people.

“They are the most active when it comes to phoning, mailing,talking and engaging when it comes to climate change,” shesaid.

“The Changers will actively engage in climate campaigns all overEurope to change the behviour of ourselves, our families, but alsoto add to the pressure for political change.”

“This is a really fun way of getting involved in the parliament, inwhat we do and the daily life of Europe…it puts pressure on ourgroup to be even more active, which is a good thing, but it alsoputs pressure on other political groups that might not be asinvolved in climate change as we are,” she added.

TheChanges.eu will be formally launched in Strasbourg on Wednesdayevening.