Birmingham might join the ‘Switch it Off’ campaign

• Mar. 18 by Tom Hall (0)

A successful energy saving campaign in Coventry and Warwick may be making its way to Birmingham soon if the council can be persuaded to promote the idea.

The ‘Switch it Off’ campaign has been running in Coventry and Warwick for four years now, since 2006, and covers one and a half million people and has had a lot of success.

It was suggested that since the campaign was such a success, Birmingham’s participation would greatly improve both the success of the campaign and Birmingham’s profile as a leader in sustainable development.

Karl Whale, the Environmental Outreach Officer of Birmingham Friends of the Earth said that the project intended:

‘To get Birmingham Council to promote and participate in the Switch it off campaign which has been so successful in Coventry and Warwick.’

The Big Switch Off during 2009 took place between 4:30pm and 6:30pm on Friday the 13^th of November.

During this time electricity was monitored and there was a 26.9-megawatt drop in peak demand when compared to the same time the previous week. This is equivalent to 154,598 households in Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire turning off their televisions for the full two hours.

It was suggested that if Birmingham were to participate this success would be much greater.

Karl goes on to say:

‘In order to do this we must develop links within the council to promote the Switch it off campaigns ideals and values, as well as encouraging people to work within the council to organize events such as the Big Switch Off and promoting the message that turning electrical appliances off rather than leaving them on standby can save energy, money and the environment.’