Susanna Wilkey FROM growing garden vegetables to doing the washing at 30 degrees, Camden s famous faces have been making eco-resolutions in their bid to be green. Among the eco-friendly celebrities are West Hampstead actor Emma Thompson, who has pledged t

Susanna Wilkey

FROM growing garden vegetables to doing the washing at 30 degrees, Camden's famous faces have been making eco-resolutions in their bid to be green.

Among the eco-friendly celebrities are West Hampstead actor Emma Thompson, who has pledged to keep growing food for her family in the garden, and her husband Greg Wise who has promised to turn electrical equipment off standby.

Strictly Come Dancing judge and Hampstead resident Arlene Phillips is giving washing at 30 degrees a whirl and has also promised to use her own shopping bags, while Primrose Hill author Ben Elton will walk or cycle wherever possible and not overheat his house.

Lord of the Rings star Sean Bean is going wild by planting a wildflower patch on his Belsize Park windowsill, and Hampstead presenter and jungle survivor Esther Rantzen has promised to keep the heating low and turn the tap off when brushing her teeth.

Through Camden Council's special Green Promise scheme, the borough's residents have been choosing from a range of pledges including buying loose vegetables and cutting down on flying, or making up their own pledges.

Environment boss Cllr Chris Knight said: "I'm delighted with the huge range of support from residents and celebrities alike.

"It's great to see so many well known faces showing their green credentials and putting their names to promises to help the environment.

"Taking small steps in the way we all work, live and travel can make a huge difference and let's hope even more residents come together to help fight climate change."

Broadcaster and writer Dame Joan Bakewell's promises were to never leave electrics on standby and not to buy fruit and vegetables that have been flown to the UK, and singer song-writer Tanita Tikaram is changing her tune by turning off the tap when brushing her teeth.

If all Camden households turned down their thermostats by one degree they could save around �5,799,300 per year and almost 29,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year - enough to pay the yearly fuel and power bill for more than 5,000 households.

The scheme has so far received a good response from Camden's celebrities who have promised to go the extra mile.

Everyone who makes a green promise is also in with a chance to win one of 100 real time energy monitors worth �40. They show exactly where energy and money are being wasted at home and are very easy to use. The green promise scheme has a new theme each month, January's was reusing and recycling and February's is saving energy in the home.

The special promise for the month is: "I will call the Camden energy advice helpline on 0800 801 738 to find out the best and cheapest ways to insulate my home."

For more information visit www.camden.gov.uk/greenpromise.

susanna.wilkey@hamhigh.co.uk

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