VIVE le durabilité!
That was the message at a French-inspired One Planet Middlesbrough event promoting sustainable living.
As world leaders prepare to meet in Paris at the end of the month to set a new international agreement on climate change, the same issues were being highlighted in Middlesbrough Town Hall.
Those attending were given demonstrations on how to cook ratatouille from scratch using a microwave – thus saving energy, tips on garlic planting, flood warning advice and more.
Also guests were invited to help cycle the equivalent length of the Boulevard Peripherique – a 21.77 miles ring-road around Paris – in four hours.
Pledges were also made by those attending as to what they would do differently to assist in promoting sustainable living and tackling climate change.
Middlesbrough’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Charlie Rooney, opened the event and made his own pledge to cycle more.
He said: “We can all do our little bit and play a part in creating a better environment for now and for the future.
“I would urge everyone in the town to take a little time to find out how they can make their own lives more energy efficient and save themselves money into the bargain.”
Claire Bell, Environmental Protection Officer for One Planet Middlesbrough, said: “The Parisian themed event was a fun and engaging way to demonstrate how people can live more affordable, sustainable lifestyles, whilst simultaneously aiding international efforts to avoid dangerous levels of climate change.”
To find out more about living sustainably in Middlesbrough visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk and enter “one planet living” into the search bar.