video transcript - climate change projects

Paul Monaghan, Head of Ethics, The Co-operative

“Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere are now the highest they have been in 700,000 years.  What this says is we need to act now, there is over-whelming evidence that the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is from human activity and it is leading to global warming at a level that gives us all a cause to worry.

"Every one of our premises runs on renewable electricity, that saves a massive 350,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.  We’ve even started to site technologies at our own property and on our own land.  So for example if you were to go to one of our large farms in Cambridge you’d find that what we have is 14 large turbines, generating enough electricity to power 9000 homes.

"In the early part of 2007, following a very successful pilot at the back end of 2 6, we announced our renewable for schools scheme.  This is a mechanism whereby schools up and down the length and breadth of the country, identified by our members and the area committees are going to be testing and pioneering solar technologies.  Basically, we’re going to see the whole of the roof covered in these solar panels, you’re going to see energy generated for what is for free for the school and we’re going to see educational materials which help the next generation understand what this is all about.” 

Jill Ramsey, School Teacher
“Well the walking bus eases congestion around our school because it’s in a residential area which lots of schools are in Newcastle and the roads weren’t really built for the number of cars that are coming in now.”

Child
“I think it’s good to walk everywhere because if you drive in a car and you put gas and stuff everywhere so it’s best to walk because gas is bad for the environment.”

Paul Monaghan, Head of Ethics, The Co-operative
“I think it’s fair to say that there isn’t a single business or organisation in the UK that is doing more to fight the battle against climate change than The Co-operative Group.”