Posted on August, 02 2006

Cardiff, UK – WWF recently invited politicians in Wales to take part in a bike challenge to see whether they could produce enough energy from cycling to power a range of household and farming appliances.

The WWF "Pedal for the Planet" challenge highlighted the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and produce energy from alternative sources that do not produce CO₂, the main greenhouse gas that is contributing to global warming.

Pedaling on specially adapted stationary bikes that converted pedal power into equivalent watts needed to power standard appliances, Welsh Environment, Planning and Countryside Minister Carwyn Jones generated enough watts to power a sheep shearing machine and a microwave.

“The Pedal for the Planet challenge is a very effective way to communicate and raise awareness of how much energy is needed to power appliances in our homes and how they produce carbon dioxide emissions," said Morgan Parry, Head of WWF Wales.

"Our homes are responsible for nearly a one-third of all CO₂ emissions, so changing the way we all use energy is crucial if we want to prevent climate change.”

END NOTES:

• As the world burns increased quantities of coal, oil and gas for energy, global CO₂ emissions are now around 12 times higher than in 1900. The world is warming faster than at any time in the last 10,000 years, with the 1990s being the hottest decade in the past millennium.

• Global warming and climate change are affecting the well-being of people and the survival of plants and animals around the world. A study released by WWFshows that global warming could fundamentally alter one-third of plant and animal habitats by the end of this century. 

For further information:
Kim Richards, Press and Media Officer
WWF Wales
Tel: +44 29 2045 4972