Smaller Footprint Fun

30/08/2007

The Lifestyle Green Show 2007, the first of its kind on the island of Ireland, will showcase all aspects of a greener lifestyle with everything from solar power to organic food, fashion to recycling and health to education, all under one roof.  
 
Sponsored by NIE Your Energy, The LifestyleGreen Show 2007, taking place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September at The King’s Hall in Belfast aims to show people in a fun way, how they can reduce their carbon footprint.  
 
NIE Your Energy will be joined a host of other organisations such as, EHS, IKEA, Greenmount College, Belfast City Council, National Trust, R.S.P.B. and N.I.Water, as well as smaller organisations, craftspeople and voluntary groups to bring a wealth of choice and information to visitors.  
 
NIE’s Jenny Boyd recently visited the home of well-known television presenter Lynda Bryans and husband Michael Nesbitt to kick off NIE’s sponsorship of the Show. Lynda and Michael signed up to NIE’s green electricity some time ago and indeed, have their own electricity generating wind turbine now.  
 
Jenny said: “NIE has joined forces with a range of other organisations and is hosting a NIE Your Energy Zone.  
 
“Reducing your carbon footprint, or in other words reducing your impact on the planet and climate change, is in the news a lot these days. Visitors to the NIE Your Energy Zone can use our computers to calculate their own carbon footprint.  
 
“Visitors can then take a tour round our Zone to find out how to reduce the size of their footprint. As a starting point, NIE is giving out 10,000 free energy saving bulbs to visitors to the Show. We will also have details of NIE grants and schemes to help with the cost of things like household insulation and heating controls, all helping people reduce their energy use and therefore their carbon footprint.”  
 
NIE’s Zones promises to be a highlight of the Show with the chance to win an ‘A’ rated fridge freezer and work up a thirst by pedalling yourself a delicious free smoothie, on NIE’s ‘Blendavenda’ static bike. NIE partners at the event are Action Renewables, Belfast Insulation, DCI, Energy Saving Trust Advice Trust, Alternative Heat, Firmus, Greengen, Homeseal, Horizon Osram, R P Heating Technology and Renewables Ireland.  
 
A talk and workshop area will cover many topics from carbon emissions to environmental protection. Also catering for the lighter-hearted side of green, W5 will provide four demonstrations each day on waste and Welig crafts will show how willow may be transformed into fine basketware.  
 
Commenting, Show organiser Gill McNeill said:  
“It was once a commonly held view that being green was for those who sought an alternative lifestyle full of self-sufficiency and sacrifice. Now most of us realise it’s just about common sense. We already know how important it is to protect the environment. Just think back to the recent floods.  
 
“We know the climate is right for an event like this. Green issues have become mainstream and people want to know more about viable alternatives which will save them money, while helping to protect the environment for their children.  
 
“The show will offer timely and relevant information on services and products, which we hope, will encourage people to make one small change to their daily lives. Collective consumer power means individual action really can make a world of difference, when it comes to the environment.”  
 
Entertainment, music, a children’s farm and the U105 Saturday Roadshow all promise to make this a weekend to pencil into your diary.  
 
A flat entry fee of £5 / €7 and free admission for accompanied children up to 16, will make the show an affordable family day out. If you would like more information on The LifestyleGreen Show please phone: 028 (N.I.) 048 (ROI) 9065 1141 or for a limited period check out the website for the two for the price of one offer www.lifestylegreenshow.com  

Back to news stories.