Campaigners press for clock change
A shift in the clocks by one hour could cut carbon emissions, save lives and allow us to enjoy evening activities says a group petitioning the Government, led by the 10:10 campaign. The Lighter Later campaign brings together tourism bodies, environmental groups and road safety campaigners who believe that a change of one hour in our clock settings could make a huge difference for the better.
Britain’s clocks are currently set to GMT during the winter and GMT+1 in summer, the proposed changes would see our clocks on the same setting as Continental Europe so it is GMT+1 in winter and GMT+2 in the summer. This change would allow more light during the evening when more people use the roads and need light for sports and activities.
A study of electricity consumption by Dr Elizabeth Garnsey at Cambridge University published in Energy Policy found that it would save half a million tonnes of carbon emissions in the winter alone. “The carbon savings associated with this clock change are significant”, said Dr Garnsey, “Equivalent to the carbon footprint of the production of 1,800 plastic bags for every home in Britain every year, or taking around 200,000 cars off the road every year.” said Dr Garnsey.
The 10:10 campaign is leading the charge on the Government to trail these changes as they aim to reach their target of reducing the UK’s carbon footprint by 10 per cent by 2020. Eugenie Harvey, director of 10:10 UK, said it could also save lives on roads, create more jobs in the leisure and tourism sector, reduce crime, and provide more opportunities for outdoor activity and sport.
She said “In the UK we love our long summer days. Lighter evenings make us happier, healthier and safer. After today the nights will start drawing in again. We’re renewing our call to the government for a trial of Lighter Later’s proposals. The research Dr Garnsey has presented today only serves to strengthen an already overwhelming argument for change.”
Research by the Transport Research Laboratory suggests there would be 450 fewer people killed and seriously injured on the roads each year if the UK switched to Central European Time.
