Monday 5 March 2007

1 mil take clean-up challenge

Illawarra Mercury
Monday 5/3/2007 Page: 13

VOLUNTEERS who helped tidy the nation in yesterday's Clean Up Australia Day are the target of a new campaign to cut household greenhouse gas emissions over three years. Up to one million Australians collected more than 8000 tonnes of rubbish yesterday, including a parking meter and half a boat.

Community groups, schools, businesses and individuals rallied at more than 7000 sites. And chairman Ian Kiernan announced a climate change pledge targeting Clean Up Day volunteers to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent a year by 2010.

"Eighteen years after Clean Up Australia Day started because of a need to tackle pollution problems, the even greater challenge of climate change is now driving volunteers to act year-round to not just reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions but demonstrate in huge numbers to government the need for stronger action," he said.

The pledge, to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 per cent a year for three years, is at www.cleanup.org.au.

"If the community is prepared to make a commitment it is also important that Government takes more action," Mr Kiernan said. "The 2 per cent renewable energy target in Australia should be raised to 10 per cent by 2010. .." While more than 8000 tonnes of garbage were collected yesterday, Mr Kiernan was disappointed that six out of the 10 most common types of rubbish were recyclable, including drink cans and bottles.

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