Reduce Our Energy Use And Help Our Environment

MEDIA RELEASE

We All Have The Power To Reduce Our Energy Use And Help Our Environment

Our Kiwi households and cars together use more energy than any other sector, making action in this area vital says Mike Underhill, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Trends in energy use are included in the Environment New Zealand 2007 report, released today by the Ministry for the Environment.

“The electricity, energy and transport fuels we consume as individuals on a daily basis add up to a significant amount. But the good news is we can all choose to make changes in the way we use energy, right now, today.

“By thinking about how we insulate and heat our homes and the products we buy, we can all save energy and make a difference to our own health and to the environment. It’s good for the country, for our clean, green reputation and for our economy and competitive advantage,” Mike Underhill said. For example, properly insulating your ceiling and under your floor can keep up to a third more heat in your home – reducing the amount of energy you need for heating. Buying a car that uses less petrol can save you hundreds of dollars over a year, and from April 7, it will be easier for car buyers to choose a car that uses less fuel, with the introduction of fuel economy labels on cars for sale.

Each of us can choose to do smaller things as well – such as switching off the beer fridge or turning the appliances off at the wall. New Zealand homes consume $100 million of electricity a year just by leaving all our appliances in stand-by mode.

“I really hope that people look at the findings of this report and ask themselves - what can I do? what steps can I take to make a difference? because it is up to all of us.

“We need to see Environment New Zealand 2007 as a call to action. And we need to choose to be more energy efficient today, Mike Underhill said.” EECA’s ENERGYWISETM campaign offers information, financial assistance and access to programmes that will help Kiwi families choose to be more energy efficient. An example of an ENERGYWISETM action sheet is attached. For more information visit www.energywise.govt.nz

ENDS

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