10:10 initiative: Grassroots action to reduce climate impact

A significant new grassroots environmental campaign was launched on 1^st September. Called 10:10, it encourages individuals and institutions to make a personal vow to cut their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 as part of efforts to try to stop runaway climate change.

The launch was held at the Tate Modern art gallery in London. It attracted 5,000 signatures in the hours following its launch. It is hoped that the initiative will capture the public imagination, mirroring the success of the Make Poverty History campaign.

Actively supported by The Guardian newspaper, 10:10 has attracted the support of a wide range of individuals, businesses and notable celebrities.

The idea is simple: By encouraging us all to take relatively easy steps to reduce our collective carbon footprints, we can take a significant step towards reducing our climate impact.

The timing of the launch of 10:10 is particularly significant, coming as it does in the run-up to the next UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties in Copenhagen. From 7 December, environment ministers and officials will meet to thrash out a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. 10:10 is one of a number of initiatives intended to increase pressure for stronger, binding targets to be agreed.

• Article about 10:10 in The Guardian
• Practical information on the carbon savings individuals can make, ranging from reducing meat eating to flying less