Cornwall WI combat climate change

The WI are trying to reduce their carbon footprint by 20%

Members of Cornwall's Women's Institute (WI) are determined to combat climate change by reducing their carbon footprint by 20%.

Members of the organisation have set themselves a target to cut back on the amount of energy they use by a fifth.

Cornwall WI has 4,500 members and has already made a substantial start with energy-saving panels on the roof of the headquarters near Truro.

Now it wants other people to join the campaign to protect the environment.

Environmentally aware

The WI building at Threemilestone already produces its own electricity using voltaic panels similar to solar panels.

It wants legislation in place which would require renewable energy technologies to be installed in all new and renovated buildings.

Nan Collier, the WI's county chairman said: "Here in Cornwall we've been slightly ahead of the national federation.

"We generate enough to sell it on to the national grid."

Cornish members are also promoting car sharing, encouraging people to grow their own fruit and vegetables and learning to build garden furniture from plastic sheeting used in agriculture.