Brussels, 17/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - In an effort to encourage EU consumers to adopt more resource efficient habits, the EU has just launched a campaign among citizens to raise awareness about depleting resources and the necessity of using them efficiently. The go-ahead for this campaign, “Generation Awake; Your choices make a world of difference!”, was given on 17 October in Warsaw by Janez Potoènik, the European commissioner for the environment, and Andrzej Kraszweski, the Polish environment minister.
The key message is “consume differently, and think before you choose”. This message is contained within a viral clip, a dedicated website and a Facebook page where visitors are encouraged to join “Generation Awake” and accept challenges, like using only public transport for a month or reducing showering time to save water.
The commissioner emphasised: “With our economy in difficulty and our resources dwindling, it's time to start rethinking some of our habits. Using resources more carefully not only helps protect the environment, but saves money and reduces business costs.” This campaign is a way of encouraging everyone to contribute to the objectives of the roadmap towards a resource efficient Europe, which the Commission has just adopted (EUROPE 10455 and 10452).
The Europe-wide campaign is being launched in Poland, which currently holds the rotating EU Council Presidency. The launch event in Warsaw features a stand where visitors will be given tips on sustainable cooking, fashion, and efficient energy use, and a public debate organised with the participation of the commissioner and the president of the Environment Council. Other launch events will be organised this year in the Czech Republic, Hungary and the United Kingdom. For further information: http://www.generationawake.eu video clip 'generation awake' http://www.youtube.com/user/GenerationAwake (AN/transl.fl)