Department of Energy and Climate Change

Campaign brings climate change to your doorstep

New ACT ON CO₂ billboards appear in 900 locations across England

Today sees the unveiling of the latest phase in the ACT ON CO₂ campaign – huge billboard adverts appearing in over 900 locations across England depicting typical British seasons that could soon look very different because of the impacts of climate change.

With just 13 days left until the start of the highly anticipated Copenhagen negotiations - which sees 192 countries gather together to decide the fate of the planet - these adverts offer a stark message for any climate change sceptics.

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Joan Ruddock, said;
“These posters will be appearing in streets across England, bringing the issue of climate change to our doorsteps. With just 13 days before the crucial Copenhagen talks begin it is essential that we are all informed and aware of the threats posed to us by serious climate change.

“Climate change is not just a problem affecting distant countries into the future; it is here, it is happening and it affects each and every one of us.

“Our new ACT ON C0₂ campaign shows how serious it is, but it also shows that we can all do something about it.”

These outdoor posters follow the broadcast adverts with which the Government wants to educate people on the dangers of climate change. In the broadcast advert currently running on national tv, the Government makes its first ever direct public information announcement confirming the existence of climate change as a consequence of human activities.

A recent poll carried out by the Department of Energy and Climate Change revealed that:

• Over 50% of people questioned don’t believe climate change will affect them
• Only 1 in 5 (18%) think that climate change will take effect during their children’s lifetime.
• 74% of people would take immediate action to change their lifestyle now if they knew that climate change would affect their children’s lives
• 52% of people believe that their actions as an individual can help stop the effects of climate change
• Only a quarter (26%) believe that climate change is already impacting on the UK
• Respondents cited flooding as one of the most common effects of climate change that will happen in the UK (69%)

In September new climate change statistics revealing the carbon footprint of every single part of the UK were published. You can find a breakdown of the results for your own area at; http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/climate_change/climate_change.aspx

In June Defra published the UK Climate Projections outlining the impacts climate change would have if we carry on emitting at today’s rates showing the possibility of increased droughts, heat waves and flooding across the country; full results can be found on the projections website at http://ukcp09.defra.gov.uk.

To obtain images of the new billboard campaign please contact sophie.knight@decc.gsi.gov.uk 

Notes to editors

1. Full details of the locations for the new billboard adverts are available from the Press Office.
2. The ACT ON C0₂ campaign was launched in 2007 with the aim of encouraging change in behaviour through calculating an individual’s carbon footprint on the Act on C0₂ carbon calculator leading to advice on reducing energy use.
3. The survey was carried out online by YouGov plc, fieldwork ran from 6th to 7th October 2009.
4. The advertising is running on national television (England only), national press, a digital campaign, outdoor billboard posters and cinema from late December.
5. This year is a landmark one for climate change. In Copenhagen in December, the world will come together at the United Nations conference to agree a new international agreement to tackle climate change. The current international agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, will expire in 2012. Copenhagen, in effect, will create its successor. For more information please visit;
   http://www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk/en/ambition/road-to-copenhagen/  

DECC Press Notice
Reference number: 2009/135