BEDFORD JOINS THOUSANDS OF CITIES AROUND THE WORLD IN MARKING 10:10:10

Bedford will be joining thousands of towns, cities and businesses around the world by marking 10:10:10 day this week.

10:10:10 is a global day of action on climate change, and the question being asked across the world is 'What are YOU doing for 10:10:10?'

On Wednesday 6th October, the Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson will launch the 10:10:10 Event at the Harpur Suite in Bedford. A collection of organisations and groups will be on hand between 10am and 3pm to offer free help and advice to reduce your own carbon footprint and save you money!

You can also sign yourself up to take part in the 10:10 climate change campaign and pledge ways to reduce your own carbon footprint.

Bedford Borough Council signed up to the 10:10 Carbon Reduction initiative in January this year and pledged to cut Council carbon emissions by 10% by April 2011. In doing so, the Council joined more than 100,000 people and organisations who have all pledged to reduce their impact on the environment.

On hand during the day will be Anglian Water, Energy Saving Trust, Zero Carbon Castle, Bedford College, Bedfordshire Climate Change Forum, Bedford in Bloom and the Council's recycling, sustainability and transport teams. With this much help and advice on offer, even a short visit during a break from your shopping could save you money!

Liberal Democrat Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "The 10:10 initiative is an excellent way to encourage everyone to get involved and make manageable changes to their everyday lives to reduce their carbon footprint and help protect the environment. I hope that by displaying all the support and advice that is on offer this event will help people identify those changes that they can make.

"Signing up to the 10:10 campaign was part of the Council's drive to cut its carbon emissions and save taxpayers' money. From stopping the use bottled water for meetings to investing in the pioneering hydropower project on the River Great Ouse, we are committed to taking actions both big and small to help the local and wider environment. This event is all about helping local residents who want to take action, whether big or small, to do so."

There are loads of simple ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment, such as:

· Turn your heating down by just a small amount can drastically reduce your bills. Also, have you got cavity wall and loft insulation? There are grants and discounts available if you haven't.

· Are your home appliances eco-friendly? Are you using energy saving light bulbs? Also, don't leave appliances and TV's on standby

· Try to eat locally produced food.

· Use your own re-usable shopping bags wherever possible

· Compost your food scraps

· Try to conserve water. Where possible, take showers instead of baths. Also, why not order a 'hippo' for your toilet? They sit in your cistern and stop you using excess water