Date published: 03 June 2008

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is hosting a week of activities and events to coincide with World Environment Day (5 June) supporting the message “Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy”.

Under the title ‘Sustainability Week’ the service will highlight initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption including giving staff free energy light saving bulbs in return for traveling to work using a more environmentally friendly mode of transport (3rd June). On World Enviroment Day people are being asked to show their support by wearing green and raising money to protect the rainforests.

Younger residents of Greater Manchester are also being encouraged get involved. 2 childrens bikes and safety equipment are up for grabs on the services website www.manchesterfire.gov.uk in an eco poster design competition based on the theme of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The competition will be launched on World Environment Day.

The County Fire Officer Barry Dixon said “World Environment Day promotes the message that our local actions have a global impact. A few small actions by everyone can make a big difference when it comes to protecting our environment . We hope the Sustainability Week events will encourage more people to think about their impact and make those small changes that collectivly can have a big impact"

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service recognise the impact fire has not only on the lives of our community but also on the environment. The service has a number of preventative measures to reduce dwelling fires such as fitting free smoke alarms alongside community initiatives to remove abandoned cars and rubbish to cut nuisance fires. Between 2003 and 2006 these measures achieved a reduction in incidents and as a result the following reductions in CO2 emmissions (based on current figures for calculating).

Dwelling fires 28% reduction

Rubbish fires 56% reduction

Car fires 50% reduction

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to stimulate worldwide awareness of environmental issues. It is celebrated each year on 5 June. The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era.