GREENPEACE'S SOLAR ELECTRIC TOUR HITS DERBYSHIRE
London, 13 May 1997
On the 18th of May at the Derbyshire County Show, Greenpeace will be exhibiting an interactive display demonstrating the power of solar electricity. Greenpeace is taking its fully functioning solar electric kitchen on tour this summer to show that solar power works in the UK and is a key part of the solution to the problem of climate change.
The kitchen uses an array of 24 solar panels to generate electricity, which powers a range of ordinary appliances including a washing machine and hob. Household chores have never been such fun. In a series of demonstrations throughout the day, visitors will be able to experience first hand, solar electricity being generated for the first time ever in Derbyshire.
In addition to the demonstrations, local campaigners will be showing videos detailing the progress of Greenpeace's campaign to halt oil expansion the Atlantic Frontier.
The Atlantic Frontier is a pristine deep sea area to the West of the Shetland Isles. It is here that the Government is licensing massive new oil fields that will expand oil production well into the 21st century. Such an expansion has huge implications for our ability to control the rate of climate change.
During the last two hundred years human activities have resulted in emissions of greenhouse gases, mainly from the burning of oil, coal and gas. As a result the Earth's temperature is rising and the climate is changing.
At the Derbyshire County Show Greenpeace will be will be collecting signatures for a petition. The signatures will be delivered to the Prime Minister before he leaves to attend an international climate meeting in December. The meeting, in Kyoto, Japan, will be an opportunity for the world's leaders to take the first step towards limiting greenhouse gases and stopping climate change.
Campaigner Marcus Rand said, " We intend to show the Prime Minister the huge amount of public support that exists in Derbyshire for a phase out of fossil fuels and a switch to renewable power sources like solar electricity"
Notes for correspondents
Photocall for photographers and crews at 10.00am
- The Greenpeace Solar Electric Kitchen will be located in Elvaston Castle Country Park, near Derby.
- The Greenpeace ship `MV Greenpeace' is currently in Atlantic Frontier waters monitoring oil company activity.
- Twenty-four panels installed on a house will meet 50% of an average family's electricity needs over a year, thus avoiding the emission of approximately 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide during the thirty year lifetime of the system.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Greenpeace Press Office on +00-44-(0)171 865 8255/6/7/8 or (0)171 359 4837