South Glos FoE has signed up to national FoEs Climate Challenge by pledging to get 50 people switched over to green electricity. To follow on from the Public Meeting held in June, we decided to hold a series of Climate Challenge public information stalls on climate, starting with a windswept day on 9th Oct in Chipping Sodbury, alongside the Farmers Market (Top Tip: have some jokes ready about wind power, if your stall is nearly blowing away as ours was!). The aim was to let people know about green electricity tariffs. It was very successful, and really enjoyable.

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We were donated some free low energy lightbulbs from the South Gloucestershire Council Home Energy Co-ordinator, The free bulbs were brilliant at attracting people to the stall, where we could talk to them about any issue they wanted - green electricity, solar grants, energy efficiency. We gave away 50 bulbs and 50 lists of recommended green electricity tariffs to people who were keen to switch. Hopefully some of these people will change to green electricity, and we will reach our target - whatever happens, 50 people in South Glos are now using low energy light bulbs!

Switching is very simple, and doesn't cost much more than a conventional polluting supplier. We also gave away many copies of the colour FOE Climate Challenge leaflets, and had information about grants that are available, both locally and nationally, for solar installation. Currently there a total of £900 in grants is available to install solar water heating in your home, and 50% grant towards solar electricity (PV) panels.

Our local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in Bristol or call 0800 512012) can offer free advice and home surveys. We are also lucky to have a Renewable Energy Advice Centre in Bristol on 0117 929 9950.

Becca

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