03/11/2008
Eco-World in One City
Liverpool's reign as Capital of Culture is coming to an end, but there's no need to be blue, in fact everyone will be green!
Next year is the city's Year of the Environment, celebrating Liverpool's green credentials, encouraging an environmental debate across the city and challenging residents, businesses and visitors to get involved and pledge to reduce their carbon footprint.
Plans for 2009 include:
The introduction of a Green ambassadors programme which will ask everyone, old and young, to sign a pledge committing them to completing tasks to reduce their carbon footprint. These will range from reducing the amount of electricity used at home to planting at least one tree or shrub during the year.
Hosting special events in each of Liverpool's five neighbourhoods to promote debate about all things environmental.
Launching the city's very own designer bag for life.
Dedicating one school day for primary and secondary schools which will focus on green issues and the role young people can play in shaping our future world.
A celebration event to mark the completion of the £14m regeneration of Stanley Park.
Events which will encourage residents to get out into their local green spaces and learn more about the environmental wonders of the city's parks and gardens, their history and the impact climate change could have on them.
A major environmental conference to be held in the city.
Green Fayres selling organic, locally sourced products to be held across the city throughout the year.
Encouraging residents to get involved in conservation and become volunteers for their local nature reserves.
A green pantomime which will get the environmental message across in a fun way.
Making all city council vehicles, such as waste collection lorries, low-carbon to reduce emissions.
Full details of events taking place in 2009 will be released later this year.
Liverpool City Council's executive member for the environment, Councillor Berni Turner, is heading up the year. She said: "Our Capital of Culture year has been a huge success, and so it's important that there is an appropriate legacy for the city.
"The Year of the Environment will allow us to continue to showcase our city and not only celebrate how far we've come in terms of reducing our carbon footprint, but get every resident involved in a debate about the city and the green challenges we all face.
"The year will be very much about working together to see what more we can do, and as the city council we have to lead by example so will be doing everything we can to make all that we do as environmentally friendly as possible.
"I'm delighted with the programme so far and it should be a huge success which everyone in the city can take credit for."
For an event to become part of Liverpool's special year it must meet the following criteria:
Contribute to a city wide debate on 'environmental issues and to explore a 20 year vision for Liverpool a sustainable city.
Demonstrate the longer term priorities for the city's environment programme and help in developing a city wide response to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Promote changes in everyone's actions and behaviours, as well as promoting new environmental activities.
Celebrate and showcase positive environmental initiatives.Enhance the image of the city and our environmental responsibilities and to develop a positive city image for investors and visitors.
The Year of the Environment is a joint initiative between Liverpool City Council and Liverpool First. Other organisations involved in supporting the year include Merseytravel, Liverpool Primary Care Trust, the Environment Agency, North West Development Agency, the Chamber of Commerce, Groundwork, Merseyside Environmental Trust, Step Clever and the city's universities.
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