Glenn Goodall

On Saturday, at Forbury Fever – I and other councillors signed Reading’s Climate Change Pledge. You can too here. Also, the entire Lib Dem group have said they will be signing up to this.

The Pledge states you accept that:

• Climate Change is a reality and primarily man made (although not all national parties believe this!)
• Climate Change has wide ranging impacts on our environment, health, economy and well-being
• Climate Change is everyone’s issue and I can get involved to reduce emissions

Within the following year you will get involved and do at least 5 different things to reduce your carbon footprint.

Of the listed options here is what I will be doing:

1. Spread the word! I will tell my family, friends and colleagues about Climate Change and the Reading Pledge and encourage them to get involved.
2. Switch off appliances at the wall and turn off lights when not in use – I’ve bought smart plugs which will do this for me
3. Turn my heating thermostat down by 1o deg C
4. Think before I buy- do I really need this item? And I will buy locally when I can.
5. Fly once a year or less – I know this is the biggest impact so I currently do this and will continue to do so.

Of the options remaining:

• Calculate my carbon footprint (and/or read my meters) and work on reducing it – Done this already
• Install insulation in my home – Don’t own my house, but the one I rent has this
• Buying A rated appliances when replacing my fridge/ washing machine etc – As above, my landlord is great when it comes to helping the environment
• Reduce travel impacts– I will walk or cycle if I can and use public transport or car share if not – Again I already do all of this, if I need to drive I will use Commonwheels car club cars!
• Grow my own produce and make my own compost (and teach my family/friends these skills) – With no garden this is tricky, however, I’m going to get window boxes and have a go in them