An EU wide campaign challenging individuals to make small changes to their daily routine in order to achieve significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions is to be launched in the coming weeks. Titled “You Control Climate Change”, the campaign will aim to give people a sense of personal responsibility and empowerment and help them to contribute to the fight against climate change.

The need for change is highlighted by the fact that every year, every EU citizen is responsible for 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, among which almost nine tonnes are emissions of Carbon Dioxide CO2. These emissions result largely from energy consumption by households and the use of private cars.

In Malta, the campaign will be launched on 5 June with a special event for children, which will take place in Valletta. This event will emphasise the four main themes of the campaign which are, “Turn down. Switch off. Recycle. Walk.” Large posters carrying this message and showing the earth together with a rising thermostat are to be unveiled across the EU once the campaign is underway.