13 January 2011

Going green 'influences others'
Almost a quarter of people from Newcastle would be more eco-friendly if their loved ones took action but celebrities would be more likely to encourage them to go green, a new survey has claimed.

In Newcastle 24% said they would help protect the earth if they saw friends, neighbours, workmates or their MP taking action, a report commissioned for the launch of the Climate Week Awards has revealed.

The awards on March 21 kick off Climate Week, running until March 27, which celebrates inspiring achievements by the greenest businesses, communities and people in the UK. From this week anyone interested in taking part in the event can apply via the website.

Research for the event also revealed that 20% of people living in the city admitted that scientific facts about climate change would not lead them to change their lifestyles.

But it found that homeowners across the country could be encouraged by their favourite celebrities to become more eco-friendly.

Stars most likely to influence people to go green are Bill Gates, Boris Johnson and David Beckham, according to the study. The girls most likely to encourage us to help the environment are Cheryl Cole, Gwyneth Paltrow and Fearne Cotton.

On the celebrity findings Kevin Steele, chief executive of Climate Week, said: "The celebrities in our survey could become award-winning climate heroes, but the survey also showed that everyone can have a big influence with the people they know.

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