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Green fears grow as Britons binge on power-hungry devices

Fear of the catastrophic consequences of global warming is finally prompting Britons to start changing their lifestyles, a survey said.

  • Reuters
  • Published: 00:00 July 3, 2006
  • Gulf News

London: Fear of the catastrophic consequences of global warming is finally prompting Britons to start changing their lifestyles, a survey said.

It is not before time, said the Energy Saving Trust's report "The Rise of the Machines" which predicts that energy used by consumer electronics will double in the next four years.

What people really want to know is the environmental properties of the array of gadgets they are buying so they can make the most appropriate decisions, said the EST, an independent, non-profit organisation. "As the consumer electronics market continues to grow, further development of energy efficient products will be vital to help in the fight against climate change," chief executive Philip Sellwood said, calling for clear labelling.

Taking notice

Increasing wealth and the reducing price of gadgets means British households now have an average of 2.4 televisions as well as a clutter of personal stereos, DVD recorders and other power-hungry devices.

The report said large plasma television screens consumed up to four times as much power as normal cathode ray tubes.

But with warnings ringing in their ears from scientists that gases from burning fossil fuels for power and transport will warm the planet, causing floods, droughts and storms, consumers were starting to sit up and take notice, the EST said.

It said just over half the people surveyed said they were willing to pay a premium for products that benefited the environment.

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