Renew

Dec 7 2007 By Mark Ridsdale

THERE'S never been a more important time to go green.

The environment has risen to the top of everyone's agenda - from individuals to big business.

And the Evening Gazette's eco-campaign - Renew, Reuse, Recycle - aims to help more of us take up the challenge to reduce our carbon footprint.

There are lots of little things all of us can do to make a big difference to the environment.

By making a few simple changes on the home front, you could be helping to save the environment - and also save yourself money.

Making changes at the place where you work - from recycling to going paper-free can also make a major impact.

We're calling on people across the Tees Valley to sign up to our Green Pledge and commit to lend a hand and improve the environment.

Our campaign is aimed at helping people find out what they can do in their everyday lives to tackle climate change and other green issues.

The initiative focuses on five main areas:

• Reducing waste and re-using

• Looking after your local environment

• Recycling

• Saving energy

• Reducing fuel consumption

The campaign has secured the backing of leading organisations.

The key supporter is the Environment Agency.

Other sponsors supporting the campaign include:

Middlesbrough Council

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

PD Ports

Tees Valley Regeneration

The Centre For Process Innovation

The North East Process Industry Cluster

Corus

Sembcorp Utilities UK

Northumbrian Water

Energy Saving Trust

Association of North East Councils

Npower

The Evening Gazette has also teamed up with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to develop a woodland in the Tees Valley.

A £10 donation buys five trees to plant at the site - alongside the River Tees at Stockton.

And as well as creating a great space for wildlife to flourish and for local people to visit, it will help change the environment for the better.

The Energy Saving Trust reckons a single tree absorbs a tonne of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The average home produces six tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and a return flight to Spain results in about 1.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person.

To sign the Green Pledge, read more about the Renew, Reuse, Recycle campaign and get more environmental tips log on to www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/theenvironment