The Light Brigade

Can one person really make a difference? This was the question the British Climate Advocates wished to answer for the people of Manchester with a resounding ‘Yes!’ They wished to empower people with the knowledge that their actions really do make a difference by starting with something we can all do − turn the lights off.

The Climate Advocates started a web-based campaign to encourage shops and offices to switch off unnecessary lights overnight. They also gave the project a sense of community by asking members of the public to submit photos of shops or offices with their lights on to the website (www.lightbrigade.org.uk). The team would then contact the companies to ask them to take action to reduce energy wastage. The team also organised a Flashmob event in February which generated interest from the local Friends of the Earth group and Manchester Metropolitan People and Planet group. This event provided around 40 submissions from companies. Barclay’s bank turned off 75 light bulbs and the local bicycle shop in Manchester replaced the bulbs with energy saving ones and turned them off during the night. The campaign was covered by the media with articles in the Manchester Evening news, Manchester Confidential, BBC Manchester online and BBC Radio Manchester.