Bless them...

Remember the BBC's "Planet Relief" day? I blogged about this planned environmental brainwashing festival summer and then it was cancelled, or was it. It seems that it was re-born as E-Day, a day to show how "the small things in life can make a big difference". E-Day started at yesterday at 6pm and for 24 hours "Starting at 6pm on Wednesday 27 Feb everyone in the UK is being asked:

(a) To leave off electrical items which are not in use, and

(b) To leave these items off for as long as possible.

Items which could be left off for E-Day might include:

- Lights left on in empty rooms or overnight

- Televisions left on standby overnight

- Mobile phone chargers left plugged in or

- Computers or printers left on overnight

Over the following 24 hours, E-Day will endeavour to show how even small energy saving measures can be made to add up, and potentially play a part in tackling climate change. "

Isn't this exciting, especially as "E-Day will finish at 6pm on Thurs 28 Feb.

The total savings of money, energy and carbon associated with E-Day will then be calculated and made available in time of the evening news bulletins."


The "Total savings so far" section is explained thus "Total savings - This meter shows E-Day's total electricity consumption and compares this with the normal 'business as usual' figure. The latest percentage energy saving for E-Day has been calculated."

There appears to be just one slight flaw in the plan, as at 5:43pm with just 17 minutes to go, the total savings made on E-Day are NEGATIVE, yes more energy has been consumed today than on a normal day. It's only a small increase at present but somehow I don't think this will be the lead item on the news.


You may want to show your appreciation for his hard work by emailing Dr Prescott (no relation to John, so far as I can tell) at matt.prescott@gmail.com



Thanks to Mr Eugenides for the spot.